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September 7, 2008 5:35:14 AM CDT

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

Posted Jan 18, 08 6:19 AM CST in Crime & Courts,  US 

(Newser) – 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. 

His wife told police she was away from home partying the night Maria Lauterbach died. Lauterbach's charred body was discovered in Laurean's backyard, and an autopsy determined she died of blunt trauma to the head. Lauterbach reported to Marine authorities last spring that Laurean had raped her. Laurean's wife is cooperating with the investigation, according to authorities, who did not immediately reveal a reason for her delay in reporting Lauterbach's death.

Sources Los Angeles Times, CNN

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Motorists drive near an electronic billboard with the picture of Cesar Laurean, a Marine wanted in the slaying of a pregnant colleague, Monday, Jan. 14, 2008, in Columbus, Ohio. The sheriff announced...   (Associated Press)
This photo provided by the U.S. Marine Corps, shows Cpl. Cesar Armando Laurean. Marine Cpl. Cesar Armando Laurean, the key suspect in the brutal slaying of a 20-year-old pregnant Marine has been sighted...   (Associated Press)
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 Crops photo. (AP Photo/Onslow (N.C.) Sheriff via U.S. Marine...   (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)
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murder  • US Marine Corps  • Maria Lauterbach  • Cesar Armando Laurean  • pregnant marine


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