(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Council Bluffs police are asking for your help in a homicide investigation. The body of 44-year-old Lilia Maria Gonzalez-Lainez, of Omaha, was found May 8, 2024 in the area of Veterans Memorial Highway and E. Manawa Drive. Skeletal remains were discovered in a field about 200-yards off the roadway. A forensic anthropologist determined the remains were those of an adult female. An autopsy conducted by the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office determined the manner of death to be homicide. DNA evidence resulted in identification of the remains being those of Gonzalez-Lainez.

The woman was last seen Dec. 11, 2023 in South Omaha. Authorities say the investigation has stalled, and Council Bluffs Police detectives are asking for the public’s assistance, in hopes someone may have knowledge of Gonzales-Lainez’ whereabouts and/or the circumstances surrounding her death and discovery of her body.

Anyone with information that may be helpful in the investigation is asked to call Detective Benson at 712-890-5113, anonymously at 712-328-STOP (7867), or by email tdbenson@councilbluffs-ia.gov.