Cesar Laurean Makes First Court Appearance in Maria Lauterbach Case

April 28, 2009

One of the cases I covered before coming to Investigation Discovery was that of Cesar Armando Laurean, 21, a corporal in the Marine Corps who is the prime suspect in the 2007 murder of Lance Corporal Maria Lauterbach, 20, in North Carolina. Laurean initially fled to Mexico, but was later captured in the small town of Tacambaro. Since that time, there have been several new developments in the case, including Laurean's extradition back to the United States and also his first formal court appearance.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Curtis Hill, the public affairs officer for the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune, the events surrounding this case began in May 2007, when Maria told one of her superiors that Laurean had sexually assaulted her on March 26, 2007.

"Lance Cpl. Lauterbach alleged she had been raped by Cpl. Laurean," Lt. Col. Hill said at a press conference following her murder. "Due to the length of time that elapsed between the alleged assault and the complaint, a forensic examination, or rape kit, was not performed; however, a "Well Woman" exam was performed. The pregnancy test result was negative."

Due to a lack of evidence, charges were not immediately filed against Laurean. The following day, a company commander told him that he was not to have any contact with Maria and that he had to maintain a minimum distance of 1000 feet from her at all times. In addition to the verbal warning, Laurean was reassigned to an office on the opposite side of the base.

"On May 18, 2007, NCIS interviewed Cpl. Laurean and he denied any sexual contact with Lance Cpl. Lauterbach," Lt. Col. Hill said. "On May 24, 2007, the company commander followed up the verbal order with a written Military Protective Order (MPO) effective through June 24. The MPO was established to preserve the integrity of the investigation and developing case, it was not based on any perceived threat towards Lance Cpl. Lauterbach … On June 25, 2007, the company commander re-issued a written Military Protective Order effective through September 24."

Two days after the MPO was re-issued, Maria fell ill and went to the hospital for a medical examination. While there, a pregnancy test was administered, the results of which were found to be positive. According to military officials, she conceived the child in May 2007. 

"On Sept. 17, 2007, Lance Cpl. Lauterbach requested permission from her command to move into off-base housing in order to prepare a home for her and her expected child," Lt. Col. Hill said. "On Sept. 20, 2007, the regimental commander issued a written Military Protective Order effective through December 23. The regimental commander issued this MPO because the company commander is on annual leave and unavailable. Again, the MPO is renewed to preserve the integrity of the investigation."

The following month, military investigators recommended that no charges be brought against Laurean until DNA could be obtained from the child. As the investigation dragged on, Maria moved into an off-base house and began making preparations for her expected child.

On Dec. 14, 2007, Maria went to work as scheduled and then returned home. Later that day her roommate, identified as Sgt. Durham, discovered a note, which read:

"I could not take this Marine Corps life anymore. So I am going away. Sorry for the inconvenience. Maria."

Durham also noticed that some of Maria's personal belongings, including her car, were missing.

"Sgt. Durham called Lance Cpl. Lauterbach's sister concerning the note," Lt. Col. Hill said. "Shortly after this conversation, Lance Cpl. Lauterbach's Mother called Sgt. Durham. Sgt. Durham text messaged a junior member of Lance Cpl. Lauterbach's work section, indicating his belief she was going into an Unauthorized Absence status. There was an ATM withdrawal of $700 from Lance Cpl. Lauterbach's account. The transaction occurred in Jacksonville."

The following day a one-way ticket to El Paso, Texas was purchased in Maria's name at a nearby Greyhound bus station; however, the ticket was never used. 

"On Monday, Dec. 17, 2007, Lance Cpl. Lauterbach failed to report to work. Her leadership began to inquire as to her whereabouts by calling her cell phone. Sgt. Durham physically arrived at her (Maria's) work section and provided the note to her leadership. The command took the extraordinary step of sending [a] representative to her residence, to check to see if she was there. They knocked on the door of Sgt. Durham's residence with no response. There was an elevated concern for her welfare because of the advanced stage of pregnancy. The command requested permission to list Lance Cpl. Lauterbach as a deserter in order to release a DD553 to apprehend her. This was an extraordinary step taken in hope of having her returned so the command could ensure she was receiving the proper medical care. Basically, with a DD553, federal resources could be used to assist in locating her."

During this time, military officials questioned Maria's friends and coworkers, but none of them had any information on her whereabouts. Concerned for her daughter's safety, Maria's mother filed a Missing Persons Report with the Onslow County Sheriff's Office. Based upon the circumstances surrounding Maria's disappearance and the note she had allegedly left behind, the military labeled her status as "Unauthorized Absence." Shortly thereafter, Lauterbach's cell phone was found along Highway 24 in Jacksonville, NC.

"On Monday, Dec. 24, 2007, an unidentified male withdrew $400 from Lance Cpl. Lauterbach's account," Lt. Col. Hill said. "[The] Location was Western Blvd, Jacksonville. At this point, the commander has no reason to believe Lance Cpl. Lauterbach is not voluntarily UA. There is no evidence she has been the victim of foul play, and though her mother's concern has intensified, there is still no indication that something has happened to Lance Cpl. Lauterbach. The command still has not received any information concerning recovery of her cell phone, or of the suspicious activity on her ATM account. Cpl. Laurean has not been implicated in the absence in any way."

On Jan. 8, 2008, after learning of the bank withdrawals and the discovery of the cellphone, Laurean was informally questioned by the Onslow County Sheriff's Office, at which time he asked to be represented by an attorney. As a result, the questioning was rescheduled for a later date.

"On Friday, Jan. 11, 2008, Cpl. Laurean failed to report to work and failed to call his OIC. His section made several attempts to contact him by phone with no response. Cpl. Laurean was reported UA. The morning reports in the media indicate there will be an announcement of a positive break in the case at a noon press conference. The command receives information regarding a note in the possession of Cpl. Laurean's spouse that will have a significant bearing on the case. The announcement is made that Lance Cpl Lauterbach is believed to be dead and buried in Onslow County. Cpl. Laurean is named a person of interest and the releasable information on Cpl Laurean is provided to the media to include a photograph."

During a subsequent search of Laurean's home, investigators discovered trace amounts of blood that had recently been painted over. In the backyard, investigators also found what appeared to be a shallow grave. Upon closer examination, they made a shocking discovery when they unearthed the charred remains of Maria and her unborn infant. According to preliminary autopsy results, her death was caused by blunt force trauma to the head.

On Jan. 12, 2008, a warrant for Laurean's arrest was filed in Onslow County, North Carolina. That same day, a federal arrest warrant was issued in Wilmington, North Carolina, charging Laurean with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

Less than a week later, investigators in North Carolina got their first break in the case when they discovered Laurean's black 2004 extended cab pickup abandoned in in Morrisville, N.C., approximately 135 miles from the Camp Lejeune military base. In response, a nationwide manhunt was launched and the FBI announced a $25,000 reward for information leading to Laurean's arrest.

The manhunt continued until April 2008, when authorities arrested Laurean in San Juan de la Vina in the municipality of Tacambaro, where he had been living on an avocado farm. Laurean remained in a local jail until April 17, 2009, when federal authorities transported him back to North Carolina.

Laurean made his first court appearance last week in Onslow County District Court, on charges of first-degree murder, robbery with dangerous weapon, theft of a financial transaction card, attempted fraud with a financial transaction card and obtaining property by false pretense. After questioning Laurean as to whether he understood the charges against him, to which he affirmed, the judge denied Laurean bond and order him held in custody pending trial.

Meanwhile, investigators served Laurean with a search warrant seeking a DNA sample, to determine to paternity of Maria's unborn child. Unfortunately, the results of that test will not determine if further charges are filed against Laurean, as North Carolina law does not recognize the death of an unborn child as a separate homicide.

If convicted, Laurean faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Prosecutors are unable to seek the death penalty, per the terms of their extradition agreement with Mexico.

A trial date has not yet been set.

Photo Credit: Cesar Laurean: Onslow County Sheriff's Department; Maria Lauterbach: Associated Press

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Comments

[Kim]

This story was always so disturbing to me because I wondered how he got her to his home and how he managed to burn her without anyone, seeing or smelling.

I wished this poor girl received more portection and more help than she did. That poor little baby.

It seems he DID RAPE her and was afraid that the DNA would be linked to him, then the rape proven and then jail time. However, murdering her was not really any better at ALL.

Had he not caused her enough pain?

Too bad DP is not an option and too bad that baby is not considered another human life taken, for he or she was taken.

[Sanitizer]

The date(s) of conception did/does not match the date(s) Maria claimed Cesar raped her. And, she went to his home on her own, no force has been proven. Something else went wrong that day.

[Tracy]

I truly believe there is more to this story i believe there was an affair as well as his wife being involed there is a gag order in effect why? Because there is gonna be plenty they don't want leaked I hope the truth comes out and true justice is done.

[Dana]

Sanitizer: Date of conception is impossible to prove with the vast majority of pregnancies, even those tracked from day 1, since the pregnancy begins at implantation of the embryo, not when the egg is fertilized by the sperm. It takes about ten days between one and the other. And menstrual periods are not always regular so the LMP technique of dating a pregnancy is notoriously unreliable.

The ONE way we have to figure out whether Laurean had sexual contact with Lauterbach is by DNA-testing the baby.

And even then, how much force was involved is kind of irrelevant. Consent to sexual contact is not the default condition of women, and there are lots of ways to coerce someone into sexual activity besides beating her up. On top of that, the man is married, and was at the time of the alleged rape. Even if it could be proven he is absolutely innocent of rape, if it's also proven that he was the father of the child, that means he committed adultery and was still breaking military law and faced jail time.

Either way you look at this, rape or no rape, if this man is not quite right in the head then there was still a motive.

And I detest the military for being so laissez-faire about the safety of its female servicemembers. Men in the United States armed forces are supposed to be our ALLIES. When it's an enemy threatening rape or death, we can shoot them. What are our defenses when it's a buddy from our unit? I'm so glad I'm out. God knows it was no picnic when I was in. You would have thought we were expected to be comfort women or something.

[Paulb]

Okay.... A lot of this is b.s. brought to you by Camp Lejeune. First... the command never seperated them physically... Lauterbach took my divorce papers and handed them off to laurean who was sitting literally right behind her.... In November of 07!! How is that separated? I remember being b---hed at in formation for over an hour because the regimental commander was just finding out about it in December. The chain o' command were asking people about whether or not Lauterbach and Laurean had carried on an affair. I loved the Marines and miss them..... But -redacted- Lejeune and all the bs coverups that occur there.