Brother-in-law charged with murder in case of missing pregnant woman whose car was found burned

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN/Gray News) — Police in Nebraska believe a missing pregnant woman and her husband are dead, and two of their family members are in custody.

The Lincoln Police Department said Monday that Sterling James, 24, was arrested on suspicion of two counts of first-degree murder. His wife, Sayde Titus, 22, is also in the Lancaster County Jail, accused of two counts of aiding and abetting first-degree murder.

Lincoln Police Chief Michon Morrow said Hannah Neville, 26, was reported missing by her roommate and longtime friend after not hearing from her since Jan. 15.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said Neville was last seen in Stromsburg, Nebraska, that day.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Neville’s doctor also contacted authorities after Neville missed medical appointments.

Neville was 32 weeks pregnant and was last known to be on her way to Lincoln to pick up her husband, Roberto Tanner, 27. Tanner was later also reported missing to authorities.

Morrow said location data and witness statements placed the couple at James and Titus’ apartment in Lincoln just before 7 p.m. on Jan. 15.

Police said James and Tanner are half-brothers.

Investigators served a search warrant at James and Titus’ apartment and said James admitted to shooting Neville and Tanner and burying their bodies. Investigators believe Titus helped hide the bodies.

Police are still working to locate the bodies.

Neville’s car was found abandoned and engulfed in flames the day after she was last seen. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Further information has not yet been released.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 402-747-2231.