Denise, a bright woman (she was a high school valedictorian and cheerleader), had moved to Cedar Rapids to live with her grandmother, met David, and married him in 1975. After their daughter was born in 1979, Denise became a stay-at-home mom. Their marriage was violent; Denise was hospitalized twice for injuries allegedly caused by David, though he claimed self-defense. They were divorcing, with a restraining order against David, but Denise was trying to reconcile. They even spent Labor Day weekend together in Missouri.

After Denise disappeared, it came out that both Denise and David were involved in drug trafficking. David sent a strange note to Denise’s family saying, “Denise Fraley: Don’t mess with the Mafia,” claiming she’d run off with drug money. He warned them not to come to Iowa. They heeded his warning for six months.

Later, Denise’s daughter (a toddler at the time of her mother’s disappearance), told relatives she’d seen her mother weighted down with rocks and thrown in a river. This is unconfirmed. David got custody of their daughter after the divorce finalized in 1984.

Police suspected David, but lacked enough evidence to charge him. Denise’s disappearance is considered suspicious, and foul play is suspected.