Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

September 5, 2008 8:46:19 PM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Charred Body ID'd as Pregnant Marine's

Posted Jan 15, 08 2:30 PM CST in Crime & Courts,  US 

(Newser) – The burnt body found in the yard of wanted Marine Cesar Laurean's house is that of Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach, and an autopsy revealed she died from blunt trauma to the head, CNN reports. The DA told the Daily News of Jacksonville, NC, he didn't know whether Lauterbach’s child was born then killed; if that was the case, Laurean could face a second murder charge.

The medical examiner said of Lauterbach, "The cause of her death will not change. She did not fall down and hit her head or anything of the sort—she died at the hands of another." Authorities have enlisted the help of “America’s Most Wanted” in the manhunt for Laurean, and the FBI has posted his photo on billboards.

Sources CNN, Daily News (Jacksonville, NC)

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Marine Murder Suspect: I Loved Her

    Apr 11, 08 4:10 AM CDT
    Marine Murder Suspect: I Loved Her The fugitive Marine finally busted in Mexico yesterday in the grisly murder of a pregnant colleague told a reporter who asked whether he killed her: "I loved her." Marine Cpl. Cesar Laurean of Camp Lejeune was captured after a three-month manhunt, reports CNN. He went on the lam when investigators found the charred body of Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach, who had accused Laurean of rape. More »

  • Pregnant Marine's Neck Wound Likely Post-Mortem

    Mar 15, 08 12:46 PM CDT
    Pregnant Marine's Neck Wound Likely Post-Mortem A neck wound on the pregnant Marine slain earlier this year was probably made after death, pointing to faked evidence in her murder, CNN reports. The main suspect in the case, Cesar Laurean, said Maria Lauterbach, 20, slit her own throat, but the surface cut may have been made by her murderer to make the body “conform” to the suicide story, lawyers said. More »

  • NC Indicts Fugitive Marine

    Jan 24, 08 2:30 PM CST
    NC Indicts Fugitive Marine The fugitive wanted for the death of pregnant Marine Maria Lauterbach was indicted today by a North Carolina grand jury, CNN reports. In addition to first-degree murder, fellow Marine Cesar Laurean was indicted on charges of ATM card theft, fraud, and robbery. A second autopsy’s preliminary findings suggest that Lauterbach’s child was unborn at the time of death. More »

  • Cousin Spots Wanted Marine in Mexico

    Jan 22, 08 4:53 PM CST
    Cousin Spots Wanted Marine in Mexico A Marine wanted for murder was spotted by his cousin near Guadalajara, Mexico, a week ago, CNN reports. Cpl. Cesar Laurean visited his cousin's liquor store and said he was "just passing by." The cousin says he didn't know about Laurean's legal troubles. Meanwhile, a North Carolina district attorney pressing for extradition had to agree to forgo the death penalty in accordance with Mexican law. More »

  • Pregnant Marine 'Slit Her Own Throat,' Suspect Told Wife

    Jan 18, 08 6:19 AM CST
    Pregnant Marine 'Slit Her Own Throat,' Suspect Told Wife The suspect in the murder of a pregnant Marine told his wife she slit her own throat during an argument and he buried her body in the woods, reports the Los Angeles Times. Cesar Armando Laurean's wife waited almost 24 hours before reporting the account to police.  He vanished the day after he told her of the death, and is believed to be hiding out in Mexico.  More »

In this undated photo released by the Onslow (N.C.) County Sheriff's office, Marine Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach is seen in this U.S. Marine Corps photo. The key suspect in the brutal slaying of the 20-year-old...   (Associated Press)
Lance Cpl. Ryan Pennington waits in the church foyer for the memorial prayer service for Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach held at St. Christopher Catholic Church in Vandalia, Ohio on Monday, Jan. 14, 2008....   (Associated Press)
Onslow County Sheriff Ed Brown briefs the media on the ongoing hunt for Marine Cpl. Cesar A. Laurean, including a siting of Laurean in Shreveport, L.A., in Jacksonville, N.C. Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008. Laurean...   (Associated Press)
The message is on the sign in front of St. Christopher Catholic Church, the home parish for the Lauterbach family, on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008 in Vandalia, Ohio, the hometown of Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach....   (Associated Press)
Lance Cpl. Ryan Pennington and an unidentified person leave the memorial prayer service for slain Marine Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach held at St. Christopher Catholic Church in Vandalia, Ohio on Monday,...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (1 of 3)

Tags

murder  • US Marine Corps  • Maria Lauterbach  • autopsy  • Cesar Armando Laurean  • pregnant marine


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular


Other US Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »