Wife knew of Lauterbach’s death

[unhappycamper]

Wife knew of Lauterbach’s death
By Estes Thompson - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Jan 17, 2008 19:45:29 EST

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — The wife of the key suspect in the violent slaying of a 20-year-old pregnant Marine waited almost 24 hours after learning of the woman’s death to go to police, according to court documents released Thursday.

The sheriff’s affidavit, which details the account Cpl. Cesar Armando Laurean’s wife gave to detectives, does not provide an explanation for why she waited. Police have consistently described her as a cooperating witness, and she does not face charges.

Laurean told his wife, Christina, while driving to their attorney’s office last Thursday that Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach visited the couple’s home on Dec. 15, demanded money and told him she planned to leave the area, according the affidavit. Lauterbach had accused Laurean of rape in May, a charged he denied to military investigators.

He told his wife that he and Lauterbach purchased a bus ticket for her to El Paso, Texas, but that she later returned to their home and they began to argue. He claimed Lauterbach produced a knife and slit her own throat. Laurean also told his wife he then buried Lauterbach in the woods near their home, the documents state.

Laurean disappeared the next day, leaving behind a note in which he repeated his claims that Lauterbach killed herself. Investigators later found Lauterbach’s burned remains, and those of her child, in a fire pit in Laurean’s backyard.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/01/ap_lauterbach_080117/