Boyfriend arrested in murder of Iowa mom 36 years after she vanished

The boyfriend of an Iowa mom who vanished 36 years ago has been arrested and charged with her murder — as authorities revealed he allegedly threatened to kill her if she ever left him.

Robert Davis, 61, was arrested Monday and charged with first-degree murder in the disappearance of Barbara Lenz, who was 31 when she was last seen on May 6, 1989, and whose body has never been found, the Iowa Department of Justice said in a news release.

Davis, who was 26 at the time, had told authorities he had dropped his girlfriend off at her apartment in Woodbine, Iowa before she was supposed to visit an ex, the father of her 3-year-old daughter — claiming that she later called him saying she was with her daughter, cops said.

However, police later found out that Davis, who had a violent history, assaulted Lenz “on several known occasions” — and told at least two people Davis “had threatened to kill her if she ever left him,” according to a criminal complaint.

Davis admitted assaulting Lenz on several occasions throughout their 2-year relationship, including once when he strangled her until she became unconscious, the document said.

There was also an incident where Davis allegedly hit Lenz’s daughter at a restaurant in front of her and other witnesses, according to the complaint.

Severel fights were sparked by his jealousy over Lenz going to Nebraska to visit her daughter and ex-boyfriend, he allegedly said.

The two fought the day of her disappearance about her intended visit, and a witness saw Davis injure Lenz by “slashing her with a sharp instrument across the face,” the complaint read.

That same witness later saw Davis at a local bar where he claimed to be “looking for Lenz.” The witness noted his “misplaced” behavior because the witness saw Davis leave with Lenz earlier that day.

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

“Davis’ 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 read.

At least two people also reported to investigators that during arguments with Davis after Lenz’s disappearance, he would warn them that they would “end up like Barbara,” according to the complaint.

Though Lenz’s body has never been found, the investigation has been ongoing and led to Davis.

Investigators say that given his behavior and history with Lenz, they believe Davis murdered her “with malice aforethought, wilfully, deliberately, and with premeditation.”

Lenz’s daughter, Lindsy Baumgart, told CBS News affiliate KCCI that Davis’s arrest was “very surreal” and “something that I have waited for my whole life.”

“I never thought this day would come,” she said, adding she hopes investigators can finally locate her mother’s remains. “Justice for me would be bringing my mamma home.”

Davis has been held without bail in the Harrison County Jail since his arrest Monday.

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Stephen Collopy

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