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Pregnant Marine dead before reported disappearance: new evidence

by Kaitlin | January 14, 2008 at 09:47 am

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An update on the story of Marine Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach, as first reported by member mpress last week; authorities have confirmed that the charred remains found a Jacksonville, NC backyard are those of Lauterbach and her fetus. Authorities are estimating that she was killed December 15, four days before she was reported missing. Lauterbach was eight months pregnant.

Lauterbach's burned body was believed to have been found Saturday in a pit in the backyard of the home of Marine Cpl. Cesar Armando Laurean.

Lauterbach, 20, had accused Laurean of raping her last year. Authorities are awaiting an autopsy to confirm the body as Lauterbach's.

Lauterbach was eight months pregnant when she disappeared and a fetus was found with the body buried and burned behind Laurean's house near Camp Lejeune.

Laurean, who faces murder charges in the case, is the subject of a nationwide search.

The scene of the crime remains a focus. Details of the scene, described below, are graphic.

The fetus was developed enough that the "little hand was about the size of my thumb. The little fingers were rolled up," he said.

"One of the things that will probably stick with me for a long time, and forever, is that little hand, the way those fingers were turned, that had been burned off the arm. That is bizarre. That is tragic. And it's disgusting."

Laurean is currently on the run from authorities. He was last reported seen by several witnesses in Shreveport, LA. It is believed he's headed towards Texas, but his whereabouts remain largely unknown as of this writing.