An Iowa Mother Disappeared 36 Years Ago, Her Boyfriend Was Just Arrested and Charged With Her Murder

• Barbara Lenz, a 31-year-old mother, mysteriously vanished and was last seen on May 6, 1989
• Her disappearance remained a cold case for nearly 36 years before the Iowa Cold Case unit reexamined the case and named a suspect
• On March 10, her former boyfriend, Robert Davis, now 61, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder

An Iowa man was charged with the murder of his late girlfriend, nearly 36 years after her mysterious disappearance.

Barbara Lenz, 31, was last seen on May 6, 1989. On March 10, Robert Davis, 61, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in her disappearance, the Iowa Department of Justice said in a Tuesday, March 11 news release.

Investigators believe Davis murdered Lenz “with malice aforethought, wilfully, deliberately, and with premeditation,” according to a criminal complaint obtained by PEOPLE.

“Investigations at Lenz’s home suggested she had been taken against her will. Over the years, investigations pursued numerous leads and searches, but Lenz was never found,” per the March 11 news release. The Iowa Cold Case unit approached the case and arrested Davis.

“This arrest is a milestone in securing justice for Barbara Lenz,” Attorney General Bird said. “We are hoping to soon bring peace and answers to Barbara’s loved ones, who have waited 35 long years in the dark.”

After her disappearance, Davis claimed he dropped Lenz off at her apartment in Woodbine, Iowa. After Lenz didn’t arrive in Omaha, Neb., to visit her 3-year-old daughter Lindsay and Lindsay’s father on May 17, 1989, her family contacted the Woodbine Police Department.

Upon the authorities’ arrival, Lenz was not home, nor was her purse or wallet, and her pets had not been cared for “in some time,” according to the criminal complaint. It was determined that Davis was the last person to see Lenz alive, and he told investigators that Lenz called him from Omaha to say she arrived. 

Later, authorities learned that she told several people she feared Davis. He allegedly assaulted Lenz “on several known occasions,” including an incident when she was allegedly strangled until she became unconscious. He also allegedly hit her daughter in front of Lenz and other witnesses. He confessed these incidents to the police, per the complaint. 

Additionally, before she disappeared, Lenz told two different people he threatened to kill her if she left him. 

Davis told the police that he did not like it when she went to Nebraska to visit Lindsay and Lindsay’s father. He also said that he and Lenz argued before her May 6 visit. One witness alleged that Davis injured Lenz after slashing her cheek with a sharp object, while another claimed they saw the two leaving the apartment. 

The witness who saw Davis injured Lenz saw Davis at a local bar in Woodbine the same evening. “During this encounter, Davis claimed to be looking for Lenz and he could not find her,” per the complaint. The witness said his behavior “seemed misplaced” because Davis “had just left [the bar] with Lenz a short time earlier.”

A different witness later informed investigators that “shortly after Lenz’s disappearance,” they saw Davis and his brother “buried something in a rural area near Davis’s home,” per the complaint.

“Davis’s brother visited the property with the witness and showed the witness where he had dug a hole for his brother and helped him bury something wrapped in plastic.” The complaint did not say if the area was excavated or what was wrapped in the plastic. 

Other witnesses told investigators that Davis told them they would “end up like Barbara” after arguments.

Lenz’s body has never been found. The investigation is still active.

Davis is being held without bond in the Harrison County Jail, and he will be prosecuted in Harrison County.

Lenz’s daughter, Lindsay (née Crew) Baumgart, said the news of Davis’ arrest is “very surreal,” per KCCI. “It’s honestly something that I have waited for my whole life.”

“I never thought this day would come,” she told the outlet, adding that she hopes investigators locate her mother’s remains. “Justice for me would be bringing my mama home.”

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