The previous boyfriend of an Iowa lady who vanished 36 years in the past has been arrested and charged with first-degree homicide in her disappearance, officers mentioned Tuesday.
Robert Davis, who’s now 61 and lives in Council Bluffs, Iowa, was once arrested Monday when it comes to Barbara Lenz, 31, who was once remaining observed on Might 6, 1989, the Iowa Division of Justice said in a news release. Davis, who was once Lenz’ boyfriend on the time, reported shedding her off at her rental in Woodbine, Iowa, that day. Lenz was once then anticipated to discuss with her former boyfriend and the daddy of her 3-year-old kid in Omaha, Nebraska, however she did not display up, in line with the discharge.
Lenz’s circle of relatives contacted the Woodbine Police Division on Might 17. Police and members of the family entered Lenz’s rental and located her pets had now not been cared for “in a while,” according to a criminal complaint. Her non-public results, together with her handbag and pockets, have been in the house. There have been no indicators of a fight.
Police decided that Davis was once the remaining individual to have observed Lenz alive, in line with the criticism. He advised investigators Lenz had known as him from Omaha to mention she was once together with her daughter, however police decided she by no means arrived there.
Right through the process the investigation, police discovered that Lenz had advised a number of folks she feared Davis, the criticism mentioned. In a while ahead of her disappearance, Lenz advised a minimum of two those who Davis mentioned he would kill her if she left him, in line with the criticism.
Lenz was once additionally allegedly assaulted via Davis “on a number of identified events” all over their two-year dating, in line with the criticism, together with incidents all over which she was once allegedly strangled till she fell subconscious. There was once additionally an incident the place Davis allegedly hit Lenz’s daughter at a cafe in entrance of Lenz and different witnesses. Davis admitted those incidents to police, the criticism mentioned.
Davis advised police he didn’t like Lenz going to Nebraska to look her daughter and ex-boyfriend, the criticism mentioned, and a number of other fights and attacks via Davis allegedly adopted her visits. Davis mentioned that they had argued ahead of her Might 6 discuss with, in line with the criticism. There have been witnesses to the argument. One witness mentioned Davis injured Lenz via slashing her around the cheek with a pointy object. Any other witness reported seeing Lenz and Davis leaving the rental complicated in combination.
One witness advised investigators that Davis’ brother confirmed them a place in a rural space the place he and Davis had buried one thing wrapped in plastic. The criticism didn’t say if the world was once excavated or what was once wrapped within the plastic.
Different witnesses advised investigators that Davis advised them they’d “finally end up like Barbara” after arguments. The statements have been made lengthy after Lenz’s disappearance, the criticism mentioned.
Lenz’s frame hasn’t ever been discovered. Investigators “pursued a lot of leads and searches” through the years, to no avail, the Iowa Division of Justice mentioned. In July 2024, the Legal professional Basic’s administrative center introduced an Iowa Chilly Case Unit to analyze unsolved crimes. The unit investigated Lenz’s case and “introduced recent eyes and a centered group to dig via knowledge, meet with witnesses, and calm down leads.”
That led investigators to Davis. The criticism alleges that on account of Davis’ conduct and historical past with Lenz, investigators imagine he murdered Lenz “with malice aforethought, wilfully, intentionally, and with premeditation.”
An lawyer was once now not indexed for Davis.
“One thing I’ve waited for my entire lifestyles”
The case shall be prosecuted in Harrison County, the Iowa Division of Justice mentioned. Davis is being held with out bond within the Harrison County Prison, CBS News affiliate KCCI reported.
Lenz’s daughter, Lindsy Baumgart, advised KCCI that Davis’ arrest is “surreal” and that she is “thankful” for the investigation.
“I by no means idea at the present time would come,” she advised KCCI. “It is in truth one thing that I’ve waited for my entire lifestyles.”
Baumgart advised KCCI she hopes investigators can to find her mom’s stays.
“Justice for me could be bringing my mama house,” she mentioned.
