36 years after an Iowa mother vanished, her boyfriend at the time is arrested
The arrest of Robert Davis, the former boyfriend of Barbara Lenz, who disappeared 36 years ago, has brought new developments in the case. Lenz, who was last seen on May 6, 1989, was reported missing by her family after she failed to show up at her ex-boyfriend’s home in Omaha, Nebraska. Davis, who was Lenz’s boyfriend at the time, was the last person to have seen her alive and reported dropping her off at her apartment in Woodbine, Iowa that day.
Upon entering Lenz’s apartment, police found that her pets had not been cared for and her personal belongings, including her purse and wallet, were left behind. There were no signs of a struggle, but Davis was identified as a person of interest in the case. Lenz had allegedly expressed fear of Davis to several people and had been assaulted by him on multiple occasions during their two-year relationship. Witnesses reported seeing Davis and Lenz leaving the apartment complex together on the day of her disappearance.
Investigators uncovered disturbing details about Davis’s behavior and history with Lenz, including threats he had made to others about ending up like Lenz after arguments. One witness even claimed that Davis’s brother had shown them a spot in a rural area where they had buried something wrapped in plastic. Despite extensive searches and leads over the years, Lenz’s body has never been found.
In July 2024, the Iowa Cold Case Unit was launched to investigate unsolved crimes, leading to a fresh investigation into Lenz’s case. This ultimately led to Davis’s arrest and charge with first-degree murder. Lenz’s daughter, Lindsy Baumgart, expressed gratitude for the investigation and hopes that her mother’s remains can be found for closure.
The case will be prosecuted in Harrison County, with Davis currently held without bond in the Harrison County Jail. Baumgart described Davis’s arrest as surreal and expressed her long-awaited hope for justice in bringing her mother home. The search for closure continues as investigators delve deeper into the case to uncover the truth behind Lenz’s disappearance.
