POMPANO BEACH, Fla. – Official Statement from Broward Sheriff’s Office:
Detectives with the Broward Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit, in conjunction with BSO Missing Persons Unit, have arrested Ian Lanning in the disappearance and murder of his wife, Irene Lanning Xeniti.
According to investigators, a missing person alert was issued for Xeniti on Monday, May 30, after she was reported missing by her daughter. Prior to the alert being issued, detectives responded to Xeniti’s home located at 32 N.E. 23rd Avenue in Pompano Beach, where she lived with the suspect. Preliminary investigation revealed detectives made contact with Lanning, who stated the victim had left the home on May 14 following a verbal dispute. The suspect then informed investigators that the victim had not returned to the residence since and that she had not made contact with him.
BSO Missing Persons Unit detectives searched for Xeniti and investigated the circumstances surrounding her disappearance before the case was transferred to BSO’s Homicide Unit on June 2.
Through investigative methods, detectives were able to determine the victim’s phone was in the vicinity of the couple’s residence approximately 1 a.m. on May 21. Detectives also obtained information that indicated the couple had been traveling in the same area on May 20.
On June 8, a search warrant was obtained and executed at the couple’s residence. Detectives also obtained and executed a search warrant on Lanning’s vehicle. During the search, investigators located evidence that suggested Xeniti had been murdered in the couple’s home and that her body had been disposed of in an unknown location.
A warrant for Lanning’s arrest was issued on June 11, and he was taken into custody and transported to BSO Main Jail. Lanning faces one count of first degree murder.
Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this case or the whereabouts of Xeniti’s remains to contact BSO Homicide Det. Ryan Schnakenberg at 954-321-4200
