Updated: Autopsy Confirms Body Is Lauterbach

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Posted: 9:45 AM Jan 15, 2008
Last Updated: 9:19 PM Jan 15, 2008

14 comments

Sheriff Press Conference Tuesday Morning

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An autopsy confirms that a body unearthed Saturday is that of Lance Corporal Maria Lauterbach. District Attorney Dewey Hudson says the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head.

Onslow County Sheriff Ed Brown hasn't released what the murder weapon was.

The Sheriff told us today he believes she was killed on or around the 15th of December. That's four days before she was reported missing. Brown says time did not prove to be a factor in her death.

Additionally, the District Attorney says he's not sure if Maria Lauterbach gave birth before her slaying, and that the baby's father is still unconfirmed at this time.

To watch the entire news conference, click the link above

Sheriff Ed Brown this morning urged Corporal Cesar Laurean to surrender to authorities. A $25,000 reward along with a nationwide manhunt is underway for the murder suspect.

The FBI has set up a nationwide tip line. That number is 1-800-CALL-FBI. Detectives say they are also working with America's Most Wanted.

Authorities say the Marine is likely in hiding. Onslow County Sheriff Ed Brown says he thinks Corporal Cesar Laurean has reached a location where he no longer needs to run. Brown would not discuss details this morning and would not say if investigators think Laurean crossed into Mexico.

Authorities think Laurean fled Jacksonville early Friday, after leaving a note in which he admitted burying the body of Lance Corporal Maria Lauterbach, who was eight months pregnant at the time of her disappearance last month.

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Posted by: Anonymous Location: NC on Jan 17, 2008 at 09:34 AM
You know what all this talk about this one is to blame and that one is to blame is JUST SAD! Truely the only thing right now that is important is to find the person guilty of the crime. ALl of you that think the Marine Corps. and the Sheriff's Dept. should give you all the information they have when you want it are just being silly. Unless we are the young ladies family then we don't deserve to know a thing until there is a trail. All the public needs to know is minor details and that there is a man hunt for Laurean and keep your eyes upon for him.

Posted by: Carol Location: Jacksonville on Jan 17, 2008 at 09:03 AM
The protective order was renewed 3 different times. The most recent was in January and through March. It lapsed a few days from december 23-January 4 but that was it. They are SOP when these allegations are made.

Posted by: Bill Location: NC on Jan 17, 2008 at 05:50 AM
I totally agree with Bethsaida. The MC should have done more to protect her, especially now, since we have been told there was a second protective order issued.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: nc on Jan 16, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Like I said we have all these question and guess what we will not know the whole truth until all parties involved are able to tell the public all the facts. I would not all the information the authorities had given to the public until it was time for the trial. They just can't give the public everything they want when they want it. It could jeopardize the case they have. Use your head. Would you want someone that might have killed your family get away with it just because the public had to have information. I know I wouldn't. I know the saying Loose Lips Sink Ships. Think about it!

Posted by: ricc Location: pa on Jan 16, 2008 at 09:46 AM
After the Corps release, it seems that they and the civiliian authorities had little contact. Big lack of communication between the two. The Corps didnt seem to take her allegations seriously and dropped the ball. This whole thing has holes all through it and many red flags that went unnoticed. Did Laurean promise her any thing? Had they planed a runaway romance? Did he ** her into a state of false hope of a relationship knowing he would have to kill her to save his future? Something just don't fit......

Editor's note: Post edited for content.

Posted by: Carol Location: Jacksonville on Jan 16, 2008 at 09:32 AM
I agree anonymous. I've said several times the only one to blame is the one that is on the run. Actions speak louder than words and to me it's screaming he is guilty.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: NC on Jan 16, 2008 at 08:59 AM
Why are we trying to blame things on the Marine Corps. and the Sheriff's Dept. before all the facts are known in the case. Maybe we need to just wait till we know all the facts before we jump to putting blame places.

Posted by: Carol Location: Jacksonville on Jan 16, 2008 at 07:10 AM
To Bethsaida, she was not forced to move off base. She moved off base to set up residence for her unborn child. You can't live in the barracks and have a baby. I know, I served in the Marines. Sgt Durham was going to deploy and was going to rent his home to her. That is why she moved off base-she was not forced to. Get your facts straight before you post. To Jennifer-I agree. The Marine Corps legal system is completely different with a completely different set of rules than civilian. And when you voluntarily leave on your own you are considered UA until 30 days. After 10 days of you being gone, they send out a letter to your family. However, the Marines did that but had also been in contact with her family prior to that. Also, they because of her advanced stage or pregnancy, they filed a DD-553 which would put her in a deserter status so they could use federal resources to look for her.

Posted by: BETHSAIDA Location: KISSIMMEE, FL on Jan 16, 2008 at 12:55 AM
WELL MY FIANCE IS IN THE MARINES AS WELL AND STATIONED IN CAMP LEGEUNE AT THAT BUT JUST BECAUSE OF THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO COVER UP OR TAKE AWAY THE BLAME ON WHO HAS IT. YES LAUREAN IS THE KILLER HERE BUT MORE SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE TO PROTECT HER. I MEAN IT DOESNT FIT IN MY HEAD HOW THERE WAS AN ONGOING RAPE CASE GOING ON WITH THIS US MILITARY PERSONNEL,YET HE WAS STILL SERVING OUR COUNTRY AND WORKING AS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE US MARINES. IT IS SAD THAT WE LOOK UP TO THESE PEOPLE AS A SECURITY NET AND HERE THEY ARE SEXUALLY ASSAULTING FEMALES? ITS OBSURD..AND NOT ONLY THAT BUT I READ THAT BECAUSE OF SEXUAL HARRASSMENT SHE WAS CONSTRUCTED TO MOVE OFF BASE? WHERE IS THE JUSTICE AND SECURITY FOR THESE FEMALE MARINES THAT ARE IN A PLACE FILLED WITH ALL MEN? HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON SOME KIND OF LEAVE OF ABSENCE UNTIL THIS WAS RESOLVED. AND DONT MENTION THE ORDER OF PROTECTION BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THAT DID NOT STOP THE INEVITABLE FROM HAPPENING.I FEEL MORE SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE TO PREVENT THIS!

Posted by: Jennifer Location: NewBern on Jan 15, 2008 at 08:41 PM
I agree that the Sheriff's department has done their job, but so has the Marine Corps. If you are not familiar with the Corps system, you can't really understand what has been going on. My husband is in the Marine Corps and we have been discussing this sad case with each other. He has informed me of things I too didn't understand. First of all, they do not go after Marines until they have been gone for 30 days or more. Then they send people out to find them. Second of all, military justice system is a TOTALLY different system than the civilian justice system. You can't blame the Marine Corp for everything going wrong in this case. The fact is, Maria was already dead before she was reported missing and we don't know why or how she ended up at Laurean's house. There is so much we don't know and it isn't fair to put all the blame on the corps. Wait until we find out the whole story before we lay blame. After all, Laurean is the killer here!!!

Posted by: Carol Location: Jacksonville on Jan 15, 2008 at 08:19 PM
If she had a positive test May 14, her due date would have been sometime in January. But she did not have a positive test in May. She took a test on May 11 and it was negative. It wasn't until June 27th that her test was positive. And they estimated the date of conception to be May 14 which would put her estimated due date somewhere around the early part of February.

Posted by: Linda Location: Greenville on Jan 15, 2008 at 05:31 PM
In my opinion, there is no way Sheriff Brown's department could have done more than they did without the assistance of the US Marine Corps. Marines do their own internal investigations and do not like to share that info unless they are put in a position that they have no choice. I sympathize with the Sheriff's Department. I think they are doing all they can. Sad situation for all and especially the family of dead Marine.

Posted by: Linda Location: Greenville on Jan 15, 2008 at 05:26 PM
The Marine Corps appears to have dropped the ball in the protection of Marine Lauterbach. Also, pregnancy test May 14th. ?? No way this adds up to 8-1/2-9 Months. Why move Lauterback, even if she was closer to her Advocate, .. Why not move the accused A LONG WAY off. So sad. This should not have happened.

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