JACKSONVILLE - Cesar Laurean, the fugitive Marine arrested on murder charges in Mexico, may have e-mailed the Onslow County sheriff March 30 to negotiate his surrender, a spokesman for the sheriff's office confirmed Saturday.

Rick Sutherland of the sheriff's office said authorities have not confirmed whether the e-mail sent to Sheriff Ed Brown was from the suspect.

The e-mail appeared to have been sent from Mexico, and the circumstances surrounding the delivery of the message were consistent with messages known to have been sent from Laurean, Sutherland said.

The e-mail sought immunity from military prosecution in exchange for Laurean's surrender to civilian authorities. The sheriff made no promises and advised Laurean to surrender.

Laurean, a corporal, is charged in the slaying of Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach of Ohio. She was eight months pregnant and had accused Laurean of rape. The charred bodies of Lauterbach and her unborn child were found in a shallow grave in Laurean's backyard in Jacksonville.

Laurean, captured in Mexico Thursday, is awaiting extradition proceedings.

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