In an apparent murder-suicide in Vaughn, Washington, 24-year-old Zane Wesley Lantz was found deceased on January 27, 2026. The grim discovery was made by his father, Brad Lantz, when he returned home from work. Inside a bedroom, he found his wife, Jennifer Lantz, 48, their son, Zane, and the family dog, all deceased from gunshot wounds.
Authorities from the Pierce County Sheriff's Office are investigating the incident.
It is believed that Zane shot and killed his mother and the dog before turning the gun on himself. A firearm was recovered at the scene, and investigators have stated that they are not searching for any other suspects. The Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office has ruled Jennifer Lantz's death a homicide due to multiple gunshot wounds, while Zane's cause of death is pending.
Zane Lantz did not reside at his parents' home but had stayed the night before the incident. Reports from investigators indicate that he had been struggling with mental health issues and alcohol abuse. His parents, both educators, had allowed him to stay with them that night. Jennifer Lantz was a special education teacher in the Peninsula School District, where she had worked since 2011.
