Nearly 36 Years Later, A First-Degree Murder Charge in the Barbara Lenz Case

Send us Fan MailDES MOINES, Iowa – A significant breakthrough has been made in a cold case from 1989, with an arrest connected to the disappearance of Barbara Lenz.Lenz, who vanished on May 6, 1989, was last seen by her boyfriend, Robert Davis, at her apartment in Woodbine, Iowa. Davis, then 26 years old, told authorities he had dropped her off earlier in the day. Lenz had plans to visit her former boyfriend and their 3-year-old child in Omaha, Nebraska, but she never arrived. Her disappearance prompted a missing person report to the Woodbine Police Department.At the time, investigators noted signs of foul play at Lenz’s apartment, indicating she may have been taken against her will. Despite extensive efforts to locate her, the case went cold after Lenz’s body was never found.However, the Iowa Cold Case unit, established in July 2024 by Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, brought new attention to the case. The investigation led to the arrest of Robert Davis, now 61, who resides in Council Bluffs, Iowa.According to a criminal complaint, investigators uncovered multiple instances of assault during Davis and Lenz’s two-year relationship. Davis reportedly admitted to having a violent temper and acknowledged past assaults on Lenz. The complaint also cites statements from at least two witnesses who said Davis had threatened to kill Lenz if she ever left him.Additionally, Davis allegedly admitted to choking Lenz during physical altercations.As a result, Davis has been charged with First Degree Murder. This marks the first arrest made under the Iowa Cold Case unit, offering a renewed sense of hope for long-unsolved cases across the state.If you have tips, story ideas or any leads to any unsolved crime or cold case, email us at [email protected] the showEXCLUSIVE SUBSCRIBER-ONLY CONTENT: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2452889/subscribe If you or anyone you know have any information about this case, have suggestions about a case we need to cover or general comments about The Last Clue, please email [email protected]:  FacebookYouTube: @SmithMediaTeamTikTok: The_Last_Clue podcast (@the_last_clue.pod) | TikTok