POMPANO BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Broward Sheriff’s Office investigators are pleading with anyone to come forward for information that could help them find the body of a murder victim.
Detectives are hoping someone could lead them to the whereabouts of 53-year-old Irene Lanning Xeniti’s body after her husband, 54-year-old Ian Lanning, allegedly murdered her in their home and got rid of her body.
“There is a large amount of evidence to indicate that somebody did not leave that house alive,” said BSO Sgt. Bryan Tutler. “We’re still looking for her body.”
Investigators were tipped off by Irene’s concerned family on May 30. When BSO detectives went to the couple’s Pompano Beach home, the suspect told them he hadn’t seen his wife since May 14.
After further investigation, detectives said Lanning’s story had inconsistencies because the couple was seen together at least a week later.
“We were able to track their movements up until the 21st,” said BSO Sgt. Kevin Forsberg.
After getting a search warrant to the couple’s home and the suspect’s car, detectives found Lanning Xeniti’s forensic evidence inside, which led them to believe that she was murdered.
“There is a lot of evidence, forensic evidence, that we could see inside the house, indicated an attempt to clean up,” said Forsberg. “Obviously, in respect to the family, we are not going to give the details of what we saw in there because they are pretty graphic. It’s pretty horrific what we saw in there.”
7News spoke to Lanning Xeniti’s friend, Dianna Painton, who said she began to worry after not hearing from her friend.
“I realized it was serious when detectives came and started questioning the last people that she was around,” she said.
Detectives have focused their search on the intercoastal waterways around Northern Broward County but have said that recent storm and tidal changes have expanded their search area.
“Somebody has to know something,” said Painton.
If you have any information on this case that could help investigators, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
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