In a breakthrough case nearly 36 years in the making, Robert Davis, 61, has been charged with the first-degree murder of his former girlfriend, Barbara Lenz. Lenz, 31, mysteriously disappeared on May 6, 1989, and her remains have never been found. The arrest, announced on March 10 by the Iowa Department of Justice, marks a significant moment in the decades-long investigation into her disappearance.
According to a criminal complaint, investigators believe Davis murdered Lenz "with malice aforethought, wilfully, deliberately, and with premeditation." The investigation points to Lenz being taken against her will from her home. Despite numerous leads and searches over the years, Lenz's whereabouts remained unknown—until now.
After Lenz went missing, Davis claimed he dropped her off at her apartment in Woodbine, Iowa. However, Lenz never showed up to visit her 3-year-old daughter in Omaha, Nebraska, as planned. When Lenz's family reported her missing, authorities found no trace of her in her apartment. Her wallet, purse, and pets were also absent, raising suspicions about her disappearance.
Barbara Lenz (Phto: NamUs)
Lenz’s family and friends later revealed that Davis had a history of abuse. Lenz had allegedly feared Davis, and she confided in several people about his violent behavior. According to the complaint, Davis had previously assaulted Lenz, including a troubling incident in which he allegedly strangled her until she lost consciousness. Witnesses also recalled him physically abusing Lenz's daughter in front of others.
Before her disappearance, Lenz confided in others that Davis had threatened to kill her if she ever left him. Davis allegedly expressed disdain over Lenz's planned visit to Nebraska and had argued with her shortly before her disappearance.
Several individuals later reported seeing Davis in the hours after Lenz’s disappearance, making contradictory statements about her whereabouts. One witness claimed Davis said he was searching for Lenz in a local bar, even though he had reportedly been seen leaving with her earlier that evening.
A different witness testified that, shortly after Lenz's disappearance, they saw Davis and his brother bury something in a rural area near his home. The witness later described how Davis's brother led them to the burial site, but the items wrapped in plastic were never identified. Authorities have yet to excavate the site or determine what was buried there.
Barbara Lenz’s daughter, Lindsay (née Crew) Baumgart, expressed mixed emotions upon hearing the news of Davis’s arrest. “It’s honestly something that I have waited for my whole life,” Lindsay said. “I never thought this day would come.” While the news brought her hope, she also longed for the discovery of her mother's remains.
“For me, justice would be bringing my mama home,” she added, emphasizing her desire to see closure after so many years of uncertainty.
Despite the arrest, Lenz's body has yet to be located, and the investigation remains open. Davis, who is currently being held without bond at the Harrison County Jail, will be prosecuted in Harrison County. The case continues to draw attention, as authorities pursue additional leads and hope to bring full justice to Barbara Lenz and her grieving family.
