Cesar Armando Laurean

The U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Cesar Armando Laurean was arrested in Mexico on April 10, 2008. Laurean was a suspect in the murder of Maria Frances Lauterbach, a former coworker of Laurean.ABC News: Three Month Manhunt for Fugitive Marine Ends in Mexico (April 11, 2008)

In September 2008, Mexican courts approved returning Laurean to the U.S. to face charges, on the condition that Laurean would not face the death penalty. On October 12, 2008, Laurean's attorney reported that the man is fighting extradition. Born in Mexico, Laurean has a dual citizenship and the extradition fight may delay proceedings for up to two years.CBS News: Marine Fighting Extradition From Mexico (October 12, 2008)

The body of 20-year-old Lauterbach, who was pregnant when she died, was found in January, burned and buried under a fire pit in Laurean's back yard near Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.AFP: US Marine Suspected of Murder Arrested in Mexico: Ambassador (April 11, 2008)

According to Agence France-Presse, when asked by a Mexican reporter if he killed Lauterbach, Laurean replied, "I loved her."AFP: US Marine Suspected of Murder Arrested in Mexico: Ambassador (April 11, 2008) In April 2007, Lauterbach had filed a charge of rape against Laurean with military authorities.The New York Times: Reward Posted in Hunt for Marine (January 14, 2008)

"The case broke open when Corporal Laurean’s wife, Christina, reported finding a note written by her husband saying that Corporal Lauterbach had committed suicide and that he had buried her. Although blood-spatter evidence indicated that Corporal Lauterbach was killed in the Laurean family home, Sheriff Brown said Ms. Laurean was considered 'a cooperating witness' rather than a suspect."—The New York TimesThe New York Times: Reward Posted in Hunt for Marine (January 14, 2008)

• Google News: Cesar Armando Laurean
• CBS News: Marine Fighting Extradition From Mexico (October 12, 2008)
• FOXNews.com: Capture of Cabin Dweller Cesar Laurean Shocks Mexican Villagers... (April 12, 2008)
• WRAL.com: Sheriffs: Marine Murder Suspect's Wife Refused His Pleas for Help (April 11, 2008)
• The News & Observer: Fugitive Marine in Custody in Mexico (April 11, 2008)
• KansasCity.com: Mexico Catches Suspect in Marine Killing (April 10, 2008)
• ABC News: Suspect in Marine Death Believed in Mexico (January 22, 2008)

• FOXNews: Surveillance Videos Show Suspected Marine Murderer Using Victim's ATM... (January 18, 2008)
• CNN.com: Wanted Marine's Vehicle Found in North Carolina (January 15, 2008)
• CNN: Slain Marine's protective order expired in September (January 15, 2008)
• ABC News: Military Scrutinized in Pregnant Marine Death as Hunt for Suspect Continues (January 14, 2008)
  • "The manhunt for Cpl. Cesar A. Laurean, 21, escalated today with wanted posters distributed nationwide and a $25,000 bounty for information leading to his capture. He is wanted for the death of Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach, 20, whose charred bones were discovered buried in a fire pit behind his house."
• CNN: Slain Marine's ATM card found in Carolina bus station (January 14, 2008)
• FOXNews.com: Authorities Offer $25K Reward for Suspect in Missing Marine Case (January 14, 2008)
• MSNBC.com: Sheriff says pregnant missing Marine is dead
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• CNN: Investigators find 'cavity' in Marine suspect's yard (January 8, 2008)
  • There's a "strong indication" of human remains in the cavity, said District Attorney Dewey Hudson.
• FOXNews.com: Sheriff: Missing Pregnant Marine Is Dead, Manhunt Under Way for Fellow Marine She Accused of Raping Her (January 11, 2008)
  • FOX News: Laurean, of Clark County, Nev., is driving a black quad cab 2004 Dodge pickup with North Carolina tags. Laurean joined the Marine Corps in September 2004 and was trained as a personnel clerk. He is listed as Unauthorized Absence status, according to the Marine Corps Base in Camp Lejeune, N.C."