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
Charred Body ID'd as Pregnant Marine's
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, authorities said...   (Associated Press)

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. (More Maria Lauterbach stories.)

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