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Who Was Lyntell Washington & What Happened to Her? 2026 Update & Profile

Ryan Gill

Lyntell Washington was known throughout Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as a caring educator who dedicated her life to helping students succeed. Friends, coworkers, and former students described her as compassionate, intelligent, and deeply committed to education. Her work in local schools earned her admiration from colleagues and recognition within the school system, including being named Teacher of the Year at a previous school before joining Brookstown Middle Magnet Academy.

Outside the classroom, Washington was a devoted mother to her young daughter. Family members said she valued stability, education, and family connections. She shared a particularly close relationship with her identical twin sister, Cyntell Washington, and remained connected to friends who later became important voices during the investigation into her disappearance and death.

Her Career and Personal Life

Washington worked as an instructional specialist at Brookstown Middle Magnet Academy in Baton Rouge. Colleagues respected her professionalism and leadership inside the school community. She developed strong relationships with students and staff and was regarded as someone who took pride in helping children grow academically and personally.

At the same time, Washington was navigating challenges in her personal life. She had previously been married and later had a daughter with Darren Glasper. Though their romantic relationship ended, Glasper remained involved in their daughter’s life. By 2016, Washington had entered into a secret relationship with assistant principal Dr. Robert Marks, who was married.

The Secret Affair That Changed Everything

According to investigators and testimony later presented in court, Washington believed Marks was in the process of divorcing his wife. Friends said Marks claimed he and his wife were living separate lives under the same roof. Washington trusted those claims and continued the relationship.

The situation changed when Washington discovered she was pregnant with Marks’ child. Friends later recalled that she became upset after learning Marks was still maintaining his marriage and had even gone on a cruise with his wife. Washington reportedly confronted Marks through text messages and demanded honesty about their relationship and his responsibilities toward their unborn daughter.

The Night Lyntell Washington Disappeared

On the night of June 8, 2016, Washington met with Marks. Investigators later determined that her 3-year-old daughter was also present. What happened next became the focus of one of Louisiana’s most disturbing murder investigations.

The following morning, a passerby found Washington’s daughter wandering barefoot alone through a Baton Rouge parking lot near her mother’s blood-stained vehicle. The child had dried blood on her feet and repeatedly told witnesses that “Mr. Robbie” had hurt her mother. “Mr. Robbie” was the name she used for Robert Marks.

The Search for Washington

Authorities launched a large-scale search across several parts of south Louisiana after Washington was reported missing. Search teams combed through Baton Rouge, Baker, Zachary, St. Francisville, and rural areas of Iberville Parish while investigators tried to reconstruct her final movements.

On June 14, 2016, Washington’s body was discovered in an irrigation ditch near a sugar cane field in Rosedale, Louisiana. She had been shot in the head. The condition of her remains required DNA testing for positive identification. Coroners also confirmed that her unborn baby died as a result of her murder.

A Child’s Words Helped Solve the Case

One of the most important parts of the investigation came from Washington’s daughter. During interviews with police and child forensic specialists, the little girl described hearing a “bang” and seeing her mother shaking. She also said “Mr. Robbie” put blood in the car and left her alone in the parking lot.

Investigators used the child’s statements alongside cellphone records, witness testimony, and forensic evidence to build their case against Marks. Phone data showed devices connected to both Marks and Washington traveling to a remote area near Ramah, Louisiana, on the night of the murder before returning toward Baton Rouge.

Robert Marks Arrested and Charged

Marks was arrested shortly after Washington disappeared. Investigators accused him of killing Washington to prevent the affair and pregnancy from becoming public. Prosecutors argued that he feared losing his marriage, career, and reputation if the truth became known.

He was charged with second-degree murder, first-degree feticide, kidnapping-related offenses, obstruction, and weapons charges. During the investigation, authorities also learned Marks had been involved with another woman at the same time, adding another layer of deception to the case.

The Murder Trial and Conviction

Robert Marks went on trial in December 2021. Prosecutors presented cellphone evidence, testimony from Washington’s friends, surveillance footage, police interviews, and the recorded forensic interview of Washington’s daughter. They argued that the evidence showed Marks lured Washington to a remote area, shot her, disposed of her body, and abandoned her child.

The defense argued that the case was circumstantial and pointed out that no murder weapon had ever been recovered. Despite that argument, jurors deliberated for only about 30 minutes before convicting Marks of second-degree murder and related charges. He was later sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Remembering Lyntell Washington

Friends and family continue to remember Washington as a dedicated teacher and loving mother whose life was cut short by violence. Her murder devastated those closest to her and shocked the Baton Rouge community, especially the students and educators who knew her personally.

Her daughter, who became known publicly as the “barefoot witness,” continues to live with the trauma of losing her mother at such a young age. Family members have spoken about helping her heal while preserving the memory of the woman they say devoted her life to caring for others.

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