She was pregnant with her boss’s baby — then vanished. What her toddler revealed shocked the nation

How did Lyntell Washington’s disappearance unravel a shocking murder mystery?

The 2016 disappearance and murder of Baton Rouge schoolteacher Lyntell Washington exposed a chilling narrative of betrayal, a clandestine affair, and fatal deception that reverberated far beyond her community. A respected educator and devoted mother, Washington was five months pregnant with the child of her married supervisor, Robert Marks, when she was reported missing. What began as a missing person case quickly escalated into a homicide investigation after disturbing clues led detectives to a horrifying conclusion: she had been murdered by the very man she once trusted.

Washington’s case captured national attention not only due to the brutal nature of the crime but because of the unlikely key witness — her own three-year-old daughter. The child’s haunting recollections ultimately guided investigators to the truth, lifting the veil on a double life lived by Marks, an assistant principal at the same school. The investigation revealed a man determined to silence the scandal of his affair and impending fatherhood, even if it meant taking two lives.

What clues did police uncover in the initial hours of the investigation?

The mystery began unravelling on June 9, 2016, when Washington’s daughter was found alone in a Baton Rouge office parking lot late at night. She was barefoot, visibly distressed, and had traces of blood on her feet. Authorities were immediately alarmed. Upon further search, they discovered Washington’s car nearby, with significant bloodstains inside and her purse still present, indicating she had not left voluntarily.

When questioned, the toddler made cryptic yet devastating statements. She mentioned that her mother was “in the lake” and “sleeping,” and identified a man she called “Mr. Robbie” — later confirmed to be Robert Marks — as the last person seen with her mother. She also claimed that he had spilled the blood inside the car. While the statements came from a child, they provided a crucial lead in what would become a high-profile murder case.

What did the investigation reveal about Robert Marks and his relationship with Washington?

As detectives dug deeper, a disturbing picture of Robert Marks began to emerge. Marks, then the assistant principal at Brookstown Middle Magnet Academy, had been involved in a secret affair with Washington, one of the school’s instructional specialists. Though Washington was aware he was married, she continued the relationship. In fact, she was pregnant with his child at the time of her death, and text messages retrieved from her phone showed ongoing conversations with Marks regarding the baby and their future.

However, evidence indicated that Marks had grown increasingly anxious about the affair becoming public. According to court documents, he had lied to Washington about his marital status, claiming he was separated. In reality, he was still living with his wife. When Washington threatened to expose their relationship and the pregnancy to his spouse, Marks reportedly searched the internet for firearms and began plotting to eliminate the threat.

His internet history showed damning searches about abortion, gun availability, and how to induce labor prematurely. GPS and cellphone data placed him in the area where Washington’s body was later found. Surveillance footage and phone records undermined the alibi he had provided to police, pointing to premeditation and a calculated attempt to cover his tracks.

How was Lyntell Washington’s body discovered and what did autopsy findings confirm?

Days after her disappearance, on June 14, 2016, Washington’s decomposing body was discovered in a remote irrigation ditch in Iberville Parish, roughly 25 miles from where her daughter was found. She had been shot in the head. Forensic analysts concluded the bullet wound was the cause of death and that her body had likely been transported and dumped in the rural area to hinder recovery and identification.

The autopsy also confirmed that she had been carrying a healthy fetus — a baby girl. The unborn child’s death constituted an additional charge of feticide against Marks. Given Louisiana law, the murder of a pregnant woman and her unborn child is considered a double homicide in such cases, carrying severe legal consequences.

What was Robert Marks charged with and how did the trial unfold?

Following the discovery of the body and mounting forensic evidence, Robert Marks was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, feticide, kidnapping, obstruction of justice, and improper disposal of human remains. He pleaded not guilty and was held without bail.

The trial, which finally began in late 2021, was heavily focused on the forensic timeline and the statements made by Washington’s young daughter. Prosecutors argued that Marks, fearing the collapse of his marriage and reputation, plotted to kill Washington and prevent the birth of their child. They presented digital footprints, GPS data, and expert testimony that established Marks’s presence at the disposal site and tied him to the murder weapon.

In court, the prosecution avoided using the child as a direct witness, but her early police statements were introduced through investigators’ testimony, providing a critical emotional and evidentiary element. The defense argued there was no direct eyewitness to the crime and attempted to create doubt regarding the motive and chain of evidence, but the circumstantial case was overwhelming.

On December 2, 2021, a jury found Marks guilty of both second-degree murder and feticide. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He continues to serve time in Louisiana State Penitentiary, commonly known as Angola Prison.

What legacy did Lyntell Washington leave behind and what happened to her daughter?

Lyntell Washington’s death devastated her community. Known for her dedication to education and her students, she was remembered as a caring, driven professional whose life was tragically cut short. Community vigils and tributes poured in after the news broke, and a scholarship fund was later established in her name to support underprivileged students in Baton Rouge.

Her daughter, who was thrust into the public eye at a young age, has since been placed in the custody of her biological father, Darren Glasper. He has publicly acknowledged the difficulty of explaining the tragedy to a child and the emotional burden it continues to carry. According to interviews, he is focused on helping her lead a normal, stable life despite the trauma she endured.

The story of Lyntell Washington remains one of the most heartbreaking criminal cases in recent Louisiana history, not only for its brutality but for the betrayal at its core — a trusted colleague, father-to-be, and school leader who silenced a woman’s voice in the name of secrecy. It also underscored the importance of listening closely to children, no matter how young, as they may hold the key to justice in the most unimaginable circumstances.