A mother and her two sons have been missing for two months after the family’s drug abuser father was released from jail and seen telling a ‘clown mask’ he needed to kill his family.
Stephen Lutz, 44, who has multiple personality disorders, was freed on January 19 after being charged with several domestic battery offenses.
But he along with his wife, Monica, 34, and two sons Aiden, 11, and Nicholas, 9, have not been seen since they were last spotted at their family home in Newton, Illinois, on February 10.
Days before the family disappeared, Aiden told his grandmother and adult sister on two separate occasions that he had walked in on his father telling a clown mask in his bedroom that he needed to ‘kill three people’, according to Gia Wright of the Missing Persons Awareness Network (MPAN).
Ms Wright said the grandmother and sister said Aiden ‘heard his dad talking to the clown, saying the following (verbatim). “I know what I have to do. I have to kill three people. I have to kill my wife first, then Aiden, then Nicholas.”’
Aiden, 11, (left), and Nicholas, 9, have been homeschooled since 2019. Days before they disappeared, Aiden reportedly heard father telling a clown mask in his bedroom that he needed to ‘kill three people’
Stephen Lutz, 44, (left), had been released from jail following domestic violence charges on condition he stayed away from his wife, Monica, 34, (right) and their two sons
Friends and family say Mr Lutz had signs of split personality disorder and suffered mental health issues all his life, including paranoia
Aiden and Nicholas with their grandmother, whom Aiden told about his father’s disturbing behavior days before their disappearance
The family home in Newton, Illinois, was inspected on April 3. The windows were covered in sheets and no one was found inside
Witnesses said that the Lutz’s home was normally ‘immaculate’, but it now looked ‘as though a tornado struck every inch of the house’
The children’s clothes were still in their drawers and closets and a suitcase was open on the parents’ bed ‘as though someone was packing adult clothes and left it behind’
On the afternoon of the family’s disappearance, a U-Haul was seen at the residence attached to Mr Lutz’s pick up truck
Following his release from jail, Mr Lutz was under strict conditions not to contact his wife or go into their home.
But on the afternoon of the family’s disappearance, a U-Haul was seen at the residence attached to Mr Lutz’s pick up truck, but the family did not tell anyone they were leaving, according to Ms Wright.
Family phones pinged in Richmond, Indiana but disconnected shortly after.
Mr Lutz has been in trouble with the law over his abuse of Meth since 2006. Friends and family say he had signs of split personality disorder and suffered mental health issues all his life, including paranoia.
When their home was inspected by MPAN and officers on April 3, the windows were covered in sheets and no one was found inside.
Ms Wright said that the Lutz’s home was normally ‘immaculate’, but it now looked ‘as though a tornado struck every inch of the house’.
She said the children’s clothes were still in their drawers and closets and a suitcase was open on the parents’ bed ‘as though someone was packing adult clothes and left it behind’.
The family cat was left outside the home and has now been rescued.
When the home was visited again on April 10, a rifle was located, with a silencer and scope.
Aiden and Nicholas have been homeschooled since 2019.
Ms Wright added: ‘They can be anywhere in the US. It may even be possible they crossed the US border, though there is no knowledge of that either way.’
Newton Police said there are no signs anyone in the family is in any immediate danger but they are still taking the necessary precautions.
