Marcus Manhunt for Marine Suspected of Murder
January 11th, 2008 by Marcus
I never thought I would ever write an entry like this. I'll try to save my emotion on this, which will become clear after I tell the story of what is happening.
JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — The search for the body of the 20-year-old pregnant Marine believed to have been murdered was suspended Friday evening after authorities found a ditch in the suspect's backyard, according to the North Carolina sheriff handling the case.
Maria Lauterbach had been due to give birth any day, and police have been looking for a fellow Marine she had accused of raping her, according to Onslow County Sheriff Ed Brown.
A Marine Corporal is suspected of murdering her and then dumping her body.
The suspect investigators are pursuing is Cpl. Cesar Armando Laurean, 21; the "suspicious cavity" was discovered on the property behind his house.
"It is believed the house and the contents of that cavity may eliminate the need to look any further for the body of missing Marine Maria F. Lauterbach," said the sheriff's office in a statement.
Detectives were combing through Laurean's home Friday night and planned to inspect the contents of the ditch Saturday morning, according to the sheriff.
Below is a picture of Cpl Laurean.
Image credit: USMC
Why would this Marine kill another Marine?
Lauterbach alleged that she was sexually assaulted by a superior, but that the investigation had gone sour, according to court documents, but authorities had no leads on Laurean's whereabouts.
The big theory behind this entire incident is that Laurean murdered Lauterbach because she was pregnant with his child. I have inside information that Laurean wrote a note this morning confessing to the murder and then left the area. The note was then found by his wife who turned it into authorities. My source didn't say if it was Marine or civilian authorities.
Now why would my emotion come into this? I worked with Laurean from the time he got to the fleet until I reenlisted. I didn't really know Lauterbach all that well since she checked in to the unit after I left. The picture of Laurean above was taken when he won the NCO of the Quarter board. I don't remember when exactly, but I do recall it hanging in his building where the Marine and NCO of the Quarter photos are hung. This is a long fall for a Marine that won a competitive board used to recognize those who are outstanding Marines.
I am really shocked this happened. Yes, unbelievable things happen when you have over 80 young Marines working in one building, but never did I think that anyone I used to work with would be even suspected of murdering one of our own. My gut tells me that Laurean wouldn't be capable of this. He was a good Marine and knew his job well. However, a person can do just about anything when his career, marriage, and very freedom are on the line.
Please be on the lookout for a black quad cab 2004 Dodge pickup with North Carolina plate number TRR-1522 as that is what Laurean drives. I remember him getting the truck and me joking he had to go and out do my truck which was a normal cab Dodge Ram. Immediate call your local authorities if you see that truck.
My heart breaks for all the families involved. I hope and pray that Laurean is found and the truth, whatever it may be, comes out.
Update 1: Fox News is not reporting new information that just breaks my heart. Things are not looking good for Laurean at this point, but I will remind everyone, and myself, that he is innocent until proven guilty.
JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — Authorities said Friday they believe they found the shallow grave of a pregnant Marine in the back yard of a comrade she accused of rape, and found evidence inside his house that suggested she had been killed.
…
After some slight digging in a fire pit discovered in the yard of Marine Cpl. Cesar Armando Laurean, detectives found what "appeared to be burnt human remains," Onslow County District Attorney Dewey Hudson said Friday night.
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Lance Cpl. Maria Frances Lauterbach, 20, vanished three weeks ago, days after she talked to military prosecutors about a rape case against Laurean, who remains at large. Authorities said Friday that information from another woman, a former Marine, left them certain that she is dead.
That witness is Laurean's wife, a person familiar with the investigation told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the investigation remains ongoing. Before fleeing Jacksonville on Friday, Laurean gave his wife a note that said Lauterbach cut her own throat, the person said.
Looks like my source was very close to accurate.
Laurean said in the note that he had nothing to do with her suicide, but that he had buried her body, the person said.
But crime scene investigators found blood stains and obvious signs of that a cleanup had taken place inside the home, Brown said late Friday.
"Evidence now is showing that what he claimed happened didn't happen," Brown said.
Laurean's wife Christina is "heartbroken," said her mother, Debbie Sue Shifflet.
I'll post updates as I see them. I will also continue to pray for the families involved and the Marine family that worked with these two Marines.
Tags: cesar laurean, maria lauterbach
Posted in Military Perspective
How tragic that something like this can happen in our own Corps! Like you Marcus, I hope the truth comes out what ever it is. I pray for the family and friends of Maria Lauterbach, this has to devastate them. I also pray for the family and friends of Cpl Laurean, it has to very difficult for them also. Marcus, I pray for you too. This has to cut you to the quick. Semper Fi Marine.
Any time a Soldier, Marine or from any branch of the U.S. Military, is under investigation for a crime or is a witness against criminal activity is never good news. It seems to me, that no matter who is to be believed, this can not have a happy ending. Not for those involved, not their families nor the entire Marine corps. It goes even deeper than that. The U.S. in under such scrutiny every second of every day, by every American-hating terrorist that this just gives them something else to talk about. It just plain sucks for everybody and everyone. Nobody will come out of this tragedy smelling like a rose. It is indeed sad.
Fox is reporting a similar story now, saying that AP has leaked that the unknown informant is Laurean's wife, and that he left a note saying that she killed herself, then he burned and buried the body. And they've found a shallow grave in Laurean's yard with burned human remains in it.
*sigh*
I'm so sorry you have such a personal connection to this story, Marcus.
I can't top this, but I can empathize with you. A friend of mine that I went to ANCOC (Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer Course) with was later convicted of having a ton of child pornography at his house and on his computer. Makes me shiver just thinking I hung out with the guy.
Such sad news! My prayers are with the families of this victim!
What a tragic situation.
Marcus, there is no easy way to deal with this. You have shown extraordinary courage. What is that word? I do believe it is "honor", as in "Code of Honor." These are strange words for times like this. But they are the best words in times like this, in light of the true historic tradititions of the United States Marine Corps. How do we look at the actions of Cpl Laurean, if the reports are true? Yes, they are tragic, without a doubt, but they are a mark against the Marine Corps and every member of it. But, is that the final word on this issue? This case has the potential of going into 3 courts, military or courts martial, civilian or criminal N.C. Law and last, but not least, the court of public opinion. YES, IT DOES MATTER! This is the pool of people from which you are trying to attract potential recruits. The potential recruit is not the primary concern. Your real concern are the significant other people in that recruit's life. These are the people who will be asked to help put the wounded warrior's life back together. The victim's family has the absolute right to any and all information on this case. This will help bring closure to a very tragic situation. Think about it, this is one Marine killing another Marine. This is the time for the military to work hand in hand with the civilian law enforcement and other governmental agencies to solve this issue. It is strange, but the best security is the perception of absolute transparency. Cover-up is just not acceptable. The irony is with 100% transparency may convict or vindicate
This whole situation, from beginning to end, is so extremely heartbreaking. Praying hard for all involved and all affected by this… it is just such a huge, huge tragedy.
Sorry this is so "close" to you Marcus. My thoughts and prayers for all who are suffering during this tragic time.
Marcus
I have been following the case on Fox News since the beginning. It is truly a sad situation.
I have to say that Sheriff Brown should turn in his badge. He tells the most convoluted and incomplete story imaginable. The press seems to have more info on this case than he does.
How can he initiate a nationwide manhunt, state that Cpl Laureen was spotted last night but I won't tell you where. That is just unbelievable.
I was a Marine Corporal 52 years ago and now have three daughters and three granddaughters I know he is innocent until etc. but lets find him and get his story. His guilt or innocence will be decided by a jury.
Dave C
Northampton Ma
Comment deleted by Marcus. I will not tolerate this kind of crap.
Marcus,
No one knows whats in another's heart. That corporal was hiding some very dark things.
And CJ I had the displeasure of serving with a child molester as well.
And, Southern Style, I suppose that the American-born are always clean and pristine, right?
I am not a Marine, though my father proudly served in the Navy. I want to tell each of you how heart warming it is to the public to see this is not a 'good ol boy' routine as many beleave to be the case. I ran across this by chance on getting an update. I cowered from reading the posts fearful of how the Marines would view the events in private but now, I am certainly glad I did.
If it is any consolation, the public is aware a Marine is involved, but the outcry would be true whether this was a civilian case or base case. The magnitude of the pain inflicted on the community is simply too great. Remember the Patterson case, to mention just one? It is not about Military, it is about an act against an unborn child that has so outraged the community and would be just as in the news regardless of the ranks involved. We stand behind our military men, even if we do not agree with the Policy that placed them into war, the men and women we stand behind. Because you are us in the end.
It has been reported sadly that the victim died of blunt trauma to the head instead of suicide as he stated. So yes he did murder this young lady.
Understand the public does NOT hold the Marines responsible for the deranged acts of one person who was able to manipulate us all. This is beyond what any of you were able to control, and even civilians were able to control. I suspect he will be found simply because he continues to intentionally leave clues around instead of destroying them, so maybe being a Marine gave him a concious after all. Let us hope you had that much influence on him over the years. God Bless.
Way to go, Marcus. God bless.
Cathy, I respect the sacrifices that you and your family have made for your Father's service to this great Nation. You are in that class of people, I call, "The Unsung Heroes of this War." Please understand, we are all in different classes in this type of situation. The actual military / veterans took an oath of honor upon our entrance into the military. This one fact separates us from the rest. Yes, I'm a grumpy old disabled vet. YES, this one marine's action reflects poorly upon the rest of the military/veteran community. Yes, this does include me. But a cover up with the use of "inaccurate information" is a violation of the Privacy Act. The United States Government in any of its functions is NOT permitted to maintain an inaccurate record. This would include any statements made by any member of the USMC to any law enforcement agency. These statements would be made a portion of a record of both the Law enforcement agency and the military. There is a "life math", where things eventually balance themselves out. If he continues to leave so many things to factor, the more it pushes us to a guilty conclusion.
I find your story interesting. It seems like no one thought Laurean capable of this. Maybe he didn't do this alone in this tight time line. I am very suspect of his wife who I think has just as much motive or more to murder Maria and her child as Laurean did. Hudson also is very perplexed and has repeatedly said things to do add up in this case.
BUT when does a UNITED STATES MARINE ever call himself a "SOLDIER"? All the countless Marines I know would rather rip their own tongues out than calling themselves a mere soldier. I was shocked to see the title of your blog.
Deven,
The reason it's called A Soldier's Perspective is because I started it years ago and I'm a "mere Soldier". I can't change the URL so the subtitle when I started bringing in other bloggers from other services became "The Noble Duty Milblogger Coalition". I think this is more reflective of the joint nature of this site.
I strongly believe that Christinia , Laurean's wife had more than her share of the murder. If she was out to a party , she would of had to come back and seen the blood all over the house and possibly walked in when he was dragging her out there, or who's to say that it was him, it may be Larean's wife that actually killed her and not him and he is turning the attention off of his wife.