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Charred Body ID'd as Pregnant Marine's

Lauterbach died from blunt trauma to the head, autopsy reveals

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 15, 2008 2:30 PM CST
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(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.

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 pregnant Marine was spotted in Louisiana and could be headed into Texas,...
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)
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. A prayer service in memory of the slain Marine will be held at the church...
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, Jan. 14, 2008. (AP Photo/Skip Peterson)
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)
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. Lance Cpl. Pennington, 21, who was in training with Lance Cpl. Lauterbach, joined hometown friends and neighbors...
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 is the suspect in the murder of Marine Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach, whose remains...
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)
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More details on Lauterbach's autopsy
Associated Press

Interview with county sheriff about the Laurean manhunt
Fox News

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

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