Decades later, Iowa mother’s disappearance sparks arrest of former boyfriend.

On a quiet day in May 1989, Barbara Lenz, a 31-year-old mother, was last seen in Woodbine, Iowa, after being dropped off by her boyfriend, Robert Davis. The date marked the beginning of a mystery that would endure for over three decades. Lenz was expected to visit her former partner and the father of her three-year-old child in Omaha, Nebraska, but she never arrived. This pivotal moment, laden with unspoken fear and unanswered questions, would eventually lead to turmoil and tragedy.

Fast forward to Tuesday, March 2025: authorities announced that Davis, now 61 and living in Council Bluffs, Iowa, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with Lenz’s long-unsolved disappearance. According to the Iowa Department of Justice, the arrest comes after a refreshed investigation led by the newly formed Iowa Cold Case Unit, which has been working tirelessly to unravel the truth behind countless unsolved cases across the state.

Lenz’s family first reported her missing on May 17, just days after she was last seen. Concern grew when they entered her apartment only to find her pets uncared for, along with her personal belongings, including her purse and wallet, untouched. Despite the absence of visible struggle, the ominous signs were clear. “It was like she just vanished into thin air,” one family member remarked. As investigators dug deeper, they learned that Davis was the last known person to see Lenz alive, and his version of events raised flags.

Initially, Davis claimed that Lenz had called him from Omaha, stating she was with her daughter. However, police soon corroborated that she never made it to Nebraska. Witnesses revealed alarming details about their relationship, describing a pattern of violence and fear. Lenz had confided in friends that she feared for her life due to the threats Davis made, including a chilling assertion that he would kill her if she attempted to leave him. The grim backdrop was further illuminated by details from a criminal complaint stating that Davis had allegedly assaulted Lenz multiple times throughout their relationship, with instances of severe physical aggression.

In the wake of her disappearance, further investigations revealed disturbing behavior from Davis. Witnesses recalled hearing him ominously suggest to others that they would “end up like Barbara” after heated arguments, a remark made long after she had gone missing. One particular witness related a harrowing incident where Davis had allegedly injured Lenz by slashing her cheek with a sharp object during a fight.

As the investigation progressed, police learned of an unsettling tip: Davis’s brother had allegedly shown someone a remote location where they believed something was buried, wrapped in plastic. This revelation, coupled with the weight of Davis’s history of violence towards Lenz, led investigators to narrow their focus on him as the prime suspect. “We believe he murdered her with malice aforethought, willfully, deliberately, and with premeditation,” authorities stated, underlining the severity of the charges against Davis.

In July 2024, the formation of the Iowa Cold Case Unit provided a new lens through which to evaluate unsolved cases, breathing fresh air into Lenz’s investigation. After years of pursuing countless leads, it was the diligent work of this specialized team that rekindled hope for Lenz’s family. “We’re grateful for this renewed effort,” Lenz’s daughter, Lindsy Baumgart, said after the announcement of Davis’s arrest, echoing sentiments many had felt while awaiting answers. “I never thought this day would come; it’s honestly something that I’ve waited for my whole life.”

Davis is currently held without bond at the Harrison County Jail, with the case set to be prosecuted in Harrison County. As investigators continue their search for Lenz’s remains, her daughter holds onto hope. “Justice for me would be bringing my mama home,” Baumgart shared, embodying the profound emotional weight carried by those left in the shadow of this cold case.

While Lenz’s body has never been recovered, the recent developments provide a flicker of hope for resolution and accountability. The community, alongside Lenz’s family, anxiously awaits the next steps in this long-overdue quest for justice.