Pompano Beach husband charged with murder following wife’s disappearance

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. – A Broward County man has been arrested, accused in the disappearance and killing of his wife.

Police are still looking the body of the victim in this case, but her husband is now facing a murder charge.

Local 10 News’ Bridgette Matter spoke to several neighbors off-camera who say the couple was quiet, and they are stunned by this.

“He had let us know his ex-wife had been missing for like a month and the last time he saw her was two weeks ago and she had packed up and left,” said one neighbor.

It was on May 30 when Irene Lanning Xeniti’s daughter reported her missing.

Two weeks prior, police visited the home Xeniti shared with her husband in Pompano Beach.

Detectives said her husband, Ian Lanning, told them they had an argument, and she left their home on May 14.

Police found through cell phone evidence that the couple had been traveling in the area on May 20.

Mugshot for Ian Lanning (Broward Sheriff's Office)

Detectives were given a search warrant for the home and Lanning’s car. They found evidence that pointed to Xeniti being murdered in the home and that her body had been moved.

Lanning appeared before a judge on Sunday. He is facing a first-degree murder charge, but police have not released information about a possible motive in the killing.

A judge did not grant Lanning bond and he will remain behind bars.

Police are still searching for Xeniti’s remains and are asking anyone with information about that to come forward.

“She was one of the sweetest ladies to ever walk this planet,” said Dianna Painton, a friend. “She was extremely loving, kind and always happy.”

A Go Fund Me page has been set up to help with funeral costs.


About the Authors:

Bridgette Matter joined the Local 10 News team as a reporter in July 2021. Before moving to South Florida, she began her career in South Bend, Indiana and spent six years in Jacksonville as a reporter and weekend anchor.

Sanela Sabovic joined Local 10 News in September 2012 as an assignment editor and associate producer. In August 2015, she became a full-time reporter and fill-in traffic reporter. Sanela holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications with a concentration in radio, television and film from DePaul University.