by Lincoln, Nebraska — A months-long search for a missing pregnant woman and her husband has taken a devastating turn after investigators announced the couple — and their unborn child — are believed to have been murdered, with charges now filed against a close family member.
Police say Hannah Neville, 26, who was 32 weeks pregnant, and her husband Roberto Tanner, 27, were killed in mid-January. Tanner’s half-brother, Sterling James, 24, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, while James’ wife, Sayde Titus, 22, faces two counts of aiding and abetting, according to the Lincoln Police Department.
Pregnant woman reported missing from rural Nebraska
Neville was first reported missing in mid-January after she was last seen in or near Stromsburg, a small town roughly 65 miles northwest of Lincoln. At the time, she was traveling with her husband and had missed multiple prenatal appointments, raising immediate concern among family and friends.
Authorities later confirmed that Neville had been “excited and elated” about her pregnancy, making the missed appointments highly unusual, according to statements shared by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Loved ones grew increasingly alarmed when Neville failed to attend vital medical visits, something they said she had never done before
SUV found burned in Lincoln
The search intensified in late January after the Nebraska State Patrol located Neville’s SUV in Lincoln, approximately 10 days after her cellphone last pinged near Interstate 80.
The vehicle was found engulfed in flames on a cul-de-sac near 39th Street and Cornhusker Highway, with the interior described as severely damaged.
At the time the SUV was discovered, investigators did not yet know it belonged to Neville. By the time officers attempted to contact her, her phone was already out of service, police said.
Timeline places victims at suspect’s apartment
Investigators later determined that on January 15, Neville left Stromsburg to pick up Tanner in Lincoln. Cellphone data and witness statements placed the couple at James and Titus’ apartment just before 7 p.m. that evening.
According to police:
- Neville’s phone left the apartment around 8 p.m.
- It then traveled to a second location in Lancaster County
- The device remained there until about 1:30 a.m.
- The following day, the couple’s devices moved to additional locations before going offline completely
Police say this digital trail was a key breakthrough in the investigation
Read Also: California Paddleboarder Heads to Trial After Alleged Ocean Assault on Female Surfer
Bodies still being sought
Earlier this week, authorities confirmed that Neville and Tanner are now presumed dead, though their bodies have not yet been recovered.
On February 1, officers executed a search warrant at the Lancaster County residence where Neville’s phone had last pinged. Multiple individuals were detained during that operation, police said.
Investigators are continuing efforts to locate the victims’ remains, according to law enforcement officials cited by local media
Charges filed against family members
Sterling James now faces two counts of first-degree murder, while his wife, Sayde Titus, is charged with two counts of aiding and abetting in connection with the killings.
Police have not publicly detailed a motive, but confirmed that James is Tanner’s half-brother, a fact that has deepened the shock surrounding the case.
Community reacts to devastating outcome
The case has drawn widespread attention across Nebraska due to the involvement of a pregnant woman, an unborn child, and close family members.
What began as a missing-persons investigation has now become a homicide case involving multiple victims, officials said.
Authorities emphasized that the investigation remains active and that additional charges are possible as evidence continues to be analyzed.
Investigation ongoing
Police say they are continuing to process forensic evidence, review digital data, and interview witnesses as they work to fully reconstruct what happened in the days after Neville disappeared.
For now, the focus remains on recovering the victims, ensuring accountability, and providing answers to families who have been waiting for weeks in uncertainty.
Do you think digital evidence like cellphone data plays a critical role in solving modern missing-person cases? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
