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The grand jury was expected to meet in the morning to consider formally charging Cesar Laurean, whom authorities have called the primary suspect in the woman's disappearance and death, Onslow County District Attorney Dewey Hudson said.
Earlier this month, investigators found Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach's burned remains, and those of her child, in a fire pit in Laurean's backyard. She had been missing since mid-December.
Lauterbach, who was eight months pregnant when she disappeared, had earlier accused Laurean of rape. Before he left, Laurean left a note for his wife, Christina, that said Lauterbach slit her own throat with a knife, and he then buried her in the woods near their home.
An autopsy found that Lauterbach died of blunt force trauma to the head.
Authorities believe Laurean is on the run in Mexico. On Tuesday, a man identified as his cousin said Laurean walked into his liquor store last week, but left without saying where he was headed.
[Associated
Press]
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