The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Mary Esther man on charges he murdered his mother at their home.
Deputies had first been called to the brick house at 186 Miramar Street that Lantz was sharing with his mother shortly before 10 p.m. Monday evening.
58-year old Robin Lantz told them she and her son Justin had been arguing and she wanted him to leave the house. Based on the fact Lantz was currently residing there and there were no threats of violence, deputies could not mandate that he leave, however he agreed to go voluntarily.
Around 12:45 a.m. Tuesday morning, the OCSO got a call of a possible intoxicated driver in a blue truck speeding and running red lights on Miracle Strip Parkway. Moments later a deputy spotted a truck matching that description underneath the Brooks Bridge on Okaloosa Island. The driver’s door was open and the interior lights were on but no one was with the vehicle. When he investigated further, the deputy found Justin Lantz standing in the Santa Rosa Sound. He also discovered the body of a female floating nearby and a large amount of blood in the truck bed.
Lantz was taken into custody for questioning and the OCSO began a second crime scene investigation at the Lantz home. Inside they found obvious signs of a struggle, including blood.
Justin Lantz has now been charged with second degree murder without premeditation. His mother appeared to have suffered blunt force trauma.
An autopsy is being scheduled by the Medical Examiner’s Office to determine her exact cause of death.
Navarre Newspaper reminds our readers that Justin Lantz is presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law.
