Marine Caught on Tape Buying 'Death Supplies'

Wheelbarrow may have been used to move body: cops

By Mary Papenfuss, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 19, 2008 7:25 AM CST

(Newser) – The suspect in the murder of a pregnant Marine was caught on a store video buying a wheelbarrow and paint—supplies police speculate he used to dispose of her body and cover up blood from her murder. Cesar Armando Laurean is now on the lam in Mexico, investigators believe. Laurean was spotted on a surveillance video at a home improvement store buying the supplies two days after Maria Lauterbach's death.

Her charred body was found buried in a shallow grave in Laurean's backyard. Laurean told his wife that Lauterbach slit her own throat during an argument with him, according to court documents, but a coroner has determined the Marine died of blunt force trauma to the head. Lauterbach had accused Laurean of rape last spring.

This photo made by a camera in an ATM in Jacksonville, N.C. on Dec. 24, 2007, and provided Friday, Jan. 18, 2008 by America's Most Wanted, shows a man that Onslow County Sheriff's Office believe to be... (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 Corps photo. The key suspect in the brutal slaying of the 20-year-old... (Associated Press)

This is the home behind which investigators discovered a shallow grave containing remains believed to be those of missing Marine Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach in Onslow County just outside of Jacksonville,... (Associated Press)

North Carolina Bureau of Investigation personnel and other investigators walk next to the shallow grave found to contain human remains believed to be those of missing Marine Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach... (Associated Press)

Two Onslow County sheriff's deputies stand guard on North Byran Road near Jacksonville, N.C., on Friday, Jan. 11, 2008, while other deputies restrict traffic in the area where the suspect Marine Cpl.... (Associated Press)

This undated photo provided Friday, Jan. 18, 2008 by Onslow County Sheriff's Office shows Marine Cpl. Cesar Armando Laurean. Laurean is the key suspect in the slaying of 20-year-old pregnant Marine Lance... (Associated Press)

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Marine Murder Suspect: I Loved Her

Fugitive nabbed in Mexico in pregnant corporal's killing

(NEWSER) - 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»

Hundreds Mourn Slain Marine at Ohio Funeral

Slain woman had 'strong spirit'

(NEWSER) - Hundreds of family members and friends gathered near Dayton, Ohio, today for the funeral of Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach, the pregnant Marine murdered in North Carolina in December. Marines carried her casket; a smaller one held the body of her unborn child, Gabriel. Some 200 members of a group called the Patriot Guard, veterans who ride their motorcycles to military funerals, stood at attention as the hearse arrived for the mass, the AP reports. More»

NC Indicts Fugitive Marine

Prosecutor won't seek death penalty if Laurean found in native Mexico

(NEWSER) - 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»

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

But wife waited a day to report death to cops

(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. More»

Pregnant Marine Didn't Think She Was in Danger

Told prosecutors she no longer thought Laurean was the father

(NEWSER) - A pregnant Marine whose body was discovered in the back yard of Cesar Armando Laurean told prosecutors in November that she no longer thought Laurean was the father, Marine officials say. Maria Lauterbach alleged that Laurean raped her in March and April, but doctors estimated the 20-year-old’s conception date was May 14, the AP reports. More»

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Marine Caught on Tape Buying 'Death Supplies'

Wheelbarrow may have been used to move body: cops

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Marine Caught on Tape Buying 'Death Supplies'

Wheelbarrow may have been used to move body: cops

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

rape • Cesar Armando Laurean • Marine • Cesar Laurean • pregnant marine • Lauterbach • Laurean

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Marine Murder Suspect: I Loved Her

Fugitive nabbed in Mexico in pregnant corporal's killing

Hundreds Mourn Slain Marine at Ohio Funeral

Slain woman had 'strong spirit'

NC Indicts Fugitive Marine

Prosecutor won't seek death penalty if Laurean found in native Mexico

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

But wife waited a day to report death to cops

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Told prosecutors she no longer thought Laurean was the father

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