Pregnant Marine missing from North Carolina base was to testify about an incident she had witnessed

[maddezmom]

Police are searching for a missing Marine who could give birth at any time. Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach, 20, has been absent from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, since December 14. Lauterbach's mom said the Marine was to testify about an incident she had witnessed at the camp, sheriff's officials said. There is evidence that raises concern about the disappearance, the department told CNN affiliate WITN

more:http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/01/09/missing.marine/index.html

[liberalla]

1. Well, Damn. I don't like the look of this.

God, I hope she's in hiding and that no one has kidnapped or injured or killed her.

[Hydra]

2. Like that woman who got a bullet in the back of the head in Afganistan

In her base.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/04/world/main3328739.shtml

[maddezmom]

3. not good

:(

[liberalla]

4. the incident she was to testify about

?filter=wtop/story_big

caption for above picture:

From Left, Lt. Col. Scott Jack, military council, Maj. Fred Galvin, Fox company commander and Mark Warple, civilian counsel, arrive on Camp Lejeune on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2007, for the second day of a court inquiry examining a March 4, 2007 incident in which Marines of Marine Special Operations, Fox Company are accused of opening fire on a crowded highway, killing as many as 19 civilians and wounding 50 others. (AP photo, Chuck Beckley)


from article:

""There are several findings and pieces of evidence that have been discovered that cause law enforcement to be concerned with the circumstances surrounding Maria's disappearance," the sheriff's department said in a statement."

http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=104&sid=1323441

[Supersedeas]

5. that's one hell of a coincidence

[intheflow]

9. Not sure if this is the same incident she was to testify about.

The OP article said she was to testify about an incident that happened at Camp Lejune, and these Marines "are accused of opening fire on a crowded highway..." I'm sure even the BFEE couldn't have covered up US Marines opening fire and killing/wounding about 70 civilians on a crowded US highway. Still, it's weird that a) they chose to run this photo with this story, and b) they didn't identify where the highway was where the alleged incident happened.

[NOLALady]

14. The highway incident was in Afghanistan.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/09/AR2008010900417.html

[liberalla]

15. I noticed that, but it was the only article I could find

with info on the 'incident'. I believe the incident is one that ocurred in Afghanistan.
This WP link has a very good report on the inquiry:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/09/AR2008010900417.html

It's clear they are keeping details to a minimum. I wonder if she witnessed interaction/discussion between individuals with direct knowledge of the 'incident' (after the fact, at Camp LeJeune), and that's what she was supposed to testify about.

At any rate, I hope there is more news, hopefully good, on Maria soon.

[maddezmom]

10. I hope she fled

but I'm not hopeful that is the case. :(

[Dawggie]

13. Those were exactly my thoughts when I read the article.

I'll continue to hope for her safe return.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

6. Does not look good.

I hope she is in a safe place.

[malaise]

7. Is dead safe?

I'm betting she has been murdered

[HCE SuiGeneris]

11. I share your view,

but was trying to project something better... I can't tell you how much I despair when i hear news like this. :cry:

[intheflow]

8. This is a disturbing story.

Made more disturbing by the fact that the scant details offered connect this woman's disappearance with her impending military testimony. I can't imagine what her mother must be going through--daughter and anticipated grandchild both missing. :cry:

[burythehatchet]

12. So would that count as 1 or 2 new victims of the Bush era?

[xchrom]

16. man -- i hope this doesn't end the way i think it will.