Episode 25 – The Murder of Maria Lauterbach

Episode 25:  MURDER – The Murder of Maria Lauterbach

 

Today I discuss the murder of Maria Lauterbach.  I chose this case to kick off Sexual Assault Awareness Month because it is a case that has shaped the state of sexual assault investigations in the military.

 

In 2007, Lance Corporal Lauterbach made a sexual assault allegation against her supervisor, Corporal Cesar Laurean.  But NCIS didn’t take her allegation serious.  Corporal Laurean was a model Marine after all, and Lance Corporal Lauterbach was a problem child.  But when she turned up pregnant and it was possibly Corporal Laurean’s baby, Lance Corporal Lauterbach vanished a month before her baby was due.  But what happened?  Did she run away from the Marine Corps or did someone make her disappear to silence her?  Let’s dig in as she I navigate this particularly difficult story to tell.

 

Here is a copy of the Search Warrant used to search Cesar Laurean’s home after he went missing.  Here is a copy of the DoD Inspector General Report, Review of Matters Related to the Sexual Assault of Lance Corporal Maria Lauterbach, U.S. Marine Corps, dated October 11, 2011.

 

Maria Lauterbach
Image found here.

 

Cesar Armando Laurean
Image found here.

 

ATM surveillance image of the person who used Maria Lauterbach’s ATM card, a week after she had last been seen.
Image from America’s Most Wanted.

 

The grave Cesar Laurean dug for Maria Lauterbach.
Image found here.

 

Cesar Laurean, after being apprehended by the Mexican authorities
Image found here.

 

 

Charlotte Observer Article, Jan 15, 08

 

 

Episode 25 – Resources:

• Facts on U.S. Military Sexual Violence, https://www.protectourdefenders.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/MSA-Fact-Sheet-191205.pdf (last accessed on 2 Apr 20).
• CBS News, https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/maria-lauterbach-murdered-cesar-laurean-guilty/ (last accessed on 25 Mar 20).
• CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/08/24/north.carolina.marine.murder/index.html (last accessed on 25 Mar 20).
• ABC News, https://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=4170769&page=1 (last accessed on 25 Mar 20).
• https://www.dayton.com/lifestyles/mother-slain-local-marine-maria-lauterbach-honored-for-survivorship-resilience/W6H9r6UhDhEdfV6dHydUzM/ (last accessed on 25 Mar 20).
• https://www.army.mil/article/145996/marine_mother_shares_tragic_story_of_daughters_sexual_assault_murder (last accessed on 25 Mar 20).
• Inspector General report, dated October 18, 2011, “Review of Matters Related to the Sexual Assault of Lance Corporal Maria Lauterbach,” https://responsesystemspanel.whs.mil/Public/docs/meetings/Sub_Committee/20140313_VSS/16_DoDIG_Review_Lauterbach_Redacted.pdf (last accessed on 25 Mar 20).
• https://militaryjusticeforall.com/tag/maria-lauterbach/ (last accessed on 26 Mar 20).
• Margo Rutledge Kissell, Dayton Daily News, “SHERIFF: Vandalia Marine dead; police may have located grave,” January 12, 2008.  Available at newspapers.com.
• Mike Baker, Dayton Daily News, “Suspect’s Wife Gave Authorities Information,” January 12, 2008. Available at newspapers.com.
• Mike Baker, Dayton Daily News, “Digging Will Start This Morning At a Shallow Grave In Suspect’s Backyard,” January 12, 2008. Available on newspapers.com.
• Margo Kissell, Dayton Daily News, “Word of Missing Marine’s Fate Spreads Quickly in Vandalia,” January 12, 2008. Available on newspapers.com.
• Search Warrant, In the Matter of Maria Lauterbach, http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2008/images/01/17/affidavit.pdf (last accessed on 1 Apr 20).
• CNN, “Police: Mom Told Us Pregnant Marine is a ‘Compulsive Liar,’” January 11, 2008, http://edition.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/01/10/missing.marine/index.html?eref=rss_topstories (last accessed on 1 Apr 20).
• CNN, “Autopsy: Marine’s Neck Wound Could be Post-Mortem,” https://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/03/14/missing.marine/index.html (last accessed on 1 Apr 20).
• FBI Wanted Alert, https://web.archive.org/web/20080117113305/http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/alert/laurean_ca.htm (last accessed on 1 Apr 20).
• Reward Offered In Pregnant Marine Murder Case, https://web.archive.org/web/20080313003833/http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/03/ap_laurean_award_030308/ (last accessed on 1 Apr 20).
• Tristan Talton, Marine Corps Times, “Fomer Cpl to Face Murder Trial This Summer,” December 8, 2009, https://web.archive.org/web/20120308055749/http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/12/marine_murdertrial_120809w/ (last accessed on 1 Apr 20).
• https://www.witn.com/home/headlines/82618302.html (last accessed on 1 Apr 20).
• Fox News, “Former Marine Gets Life in Prison for Killing Pregnant Colleague,” August 24, 2010, https://www.foxnews.com/us/former-marine-gets-life-in-prison-for-killing-pregnant-colleague (last accessed on 1 Apr 20).
• CNN Justice, “Mexico Issues Warrant for Laurean a Week After Sighting,” January 28, 2008, https://web.archive.org/web/20101125044051/http://articles.cnn.com/2008-01-28/justice/missing.marine_1_interpol-maria-lauterbach-arrest-warrant?_s=PM:CRIME (last accessed on 1 Apr 20).
• Margo Kissell, Springfield News-Sun, “Family of Slain Maine Sues Her Accused Killer,” December 14, 2009, https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/crime–law/family-slain-marine-sues-her-accused-killer/0m0FBSr1tY1gYyaNoXUEoM/ (last accessed on 1 Apr 20).
• Mary McCarty, Dayton Daily News, Lauterbach sexual assault case prompts policy reforms in military,” December 25, 2011, https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/local/lauterbach-sexual-assault-case-prompts-policy-reforms-military/5roFGpY1iBaCIcHjYSQzgJ/ (last accessed on 1 Apr 20).
• America’s Most Wanted, Cesar Armando Laurean, https://web.archive.org/web/20120111114309/http://www.amw.com/fugitives/case.cfm?id=52333 (last accessed on 1 Apr 20).
• The Charlotte Observer, “$25,000 Offered in Search for Marine Accused of Murder,” January 15, 2008, https://www.newspapers.com/image/632492155/?terms=cesar%2Blaurean (last accessed on 1 Apr 20).
• Deadly Affairs, Burned by Desire, Season 3, Episode 3, https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/tv-shows/deadly-affairs/full-episodes/burned-by-desire (last accessed on 4 Apr 20).
• Deadly Sins, Carnal Appetite, Season 1, Episode 1

 

 

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