Suspect Told Wife of Pregnant Marine's Death

Jan 17, 07:30 PM

The voice of Christina Laurean, wife of Marine-turned-suspected murderer Cesar Laurean, was captured in bits and snatches in warrants deputies used to search bank records, e-mail accounts and phone logs of several people at the center of the case.

Cesar Laurean, 21, has been on the lam for seven days; investigators think he has crossed into Mexico, his native country.

Also described more fully in court records was the unraveling life of Lance Cpl. Lauterbach, who vanished in December, only to be found Saturday charred and buried with her full-term fetus in Laurean's yard.

In the records, detectives said Lauterbach's career in the Marines was in jeopardy as she faced a possible discharge; Marine superiors told police investigators that Lauterbach had a propensity to lie. Lauterbach's stepmother told Ohio detectives involved in the search for her that Lauterbach was a "compulsive liar and it was difficult at times to know what was true." Her stepmother said Lauterbach suffered from bi-polar disorder.

In the spring of 2007, Lauterbach had told superiors that Laurean, who worked with her as a personnel clerk at Camp Lejeune, had raped her. Later, when she learned she was pregnant, she told Marine investigators that Laurean was the father as a result of the rape. She later backed away from that, expressing doubt about the paternity of the child.

Cesar Laurean's wife knew of the mounting rape case against her husband. He confided in Christina Laurean, a former Marine, in May 2007 that he was at the center of a rape investigation, according to search warrants. He insisted he did not rape the Marine accusing him. Later, when he learned the Marine was pregnant, he again told his wife that he was not the father of the baby.

Last week, as Onslow County Sheriff's deputies asked to speak with Cesar Laurean about Lauterbach's disappearance, Laurean sought advice from a civilian lawyer. His wife accompanied him to an appointment on Jan. 10, according to warrants.

On the drive there, Laurean asked his wife if "'she was with him on this.'" She replied: "`I do not know. Is there anything that you have not told me?'" according to her testimony to a detective.

According to warrants, he then confided to Christina Laurean the following account: On Dec. 15, 2007, Lauterbach came to their house and said she was leaving town. She demanded money. He then went with Lauterbach to the bus station and helped her buy a ticket. Later that day, Lauterbach returned to the house "disoriented, agitated and acting differently." She then pulled out a knife and slit her own throat. Laurean got scared and buried her body in a wooded area adjacent to the house.

Cesar Laurean vanished in the dark of night, less than 24 hours after he shared the story with his wife.

Authorities say Lauterbach died from one or more blows to the head. They said Thursday that a witness had turned in a possible murder weapon, but they wouldn't say what it was.

In December, Lauterbach's family and friends worried about her sudden departure. According to warrants, Lauterbach's roommate, fellow Marine Daniel Durham, found a note in their house, saying she was leaving town. He noticed that some of her cosmetics, clothes and her car were missing, too. Her sudden departure puzzled Durham, as her pregnancy had confined her to bed for much of the past months and she seemed in no shape for a long outing.

Durham had noticed Lauterbach seemed troubled after a phone conversation with her stepmother shortly before her disappearance. Mary Lauterbach, the stepmother, told police in Ohio that she had told Maria over the phone that she should give up the child because she "`would not be able to care for the baby.'"

The mystery compounded as the days passed. Lauterbach's car was abandoned at the Jacksonville, N.C., bus station, according to warrants. Her cell phone had been found near the entrance at Camp Lejeune. Ten days after she was last seen, a white man withdrew money with Lauterbach's ATM card; he covered the surveillance camera with a rag to mask his identity.

Laurean also faces charges of financial card fraud and obtaining property under false pretenses.

Apprehending him will be tricky, though. If he is found in Mexico, authorities there could refuse to extradite him to the United States for prosecution. Mexican leaders don't return suspects unless they can be assured they will not be executed for the crime.

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