Letter looks at case of Marine

Congressman asks about Lauterbach

JACKSONVILLE -- The homicide of a pregnant North Carolina-based Marine in December illustrates the need to better protect women in the military who bring sexual-assault claims, an Ohio congressman said Tuesday.

U.S. Rep. Michael R. Turner, a Republican from Ohio, criticized the Marine Corps' handling of allegations against a Marine who was later charged with killing a fellow Marine who was pregnant. Turner claimed in a letter to Marine Corps officials that the death of Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach in Jacksonville could have been prevented.

The five-page letter, released Tuesday by the congressman's office, included more than two dozen questions about the case involving Lauterbach and Cpl. Cesar Laurean, whom she accused of raping her. Laurean was later charged with murder and is still at large.

Turner said he was seeking answers at the request of Lauterbach's family, who live in his district in Vandalia, Ohio.

"The entire nation grieved with the Lauterbach family and the tragic death of Maria and her unborn child," Turner said in a statement. "For Maria and other women serving, we must determine what should have been done to protect her and her unborn child."

Marines' response

Lt. Col. T.V. Johnson, a Marine spokesman, said Tuesday that the Corps will review Turner's letter and respond. "We take any congressional inquiry seriously," he said.

Johnson said Camp Lejeune officials had handled the case properly. He declined to talk in detail about Turner's questions because he said it could jeopardize the case against Laurean.

Authorities have been searching for Laurean for two months. He disappeared in mid-January, shortly before Lauterbach's body and that of her baby were found in a grave in Laurean's backyard. Investigators said Laurean left a letter to his wife in which he claimed he only buried Lauterbach's body after she killed herself by slitting her throat.

But an autopsy determined she died from blunt force trauma to the head.

Authorities think Laurean, who has been declared a deserter by the Marine Corps, fled to Mexico, where he was born. State and federal agencies have posted a $30,000 reward for information leading to his capture.

The congressman asked specific questions about the military investigation of Laurean and reports of threats to Lauterbach. He also asked why the military did not take DNA samples from Laurean after Lauterbach's pregnancy was confirmed. According to the Marine Corps, Laurean denied having sexual contact with Lauterbach.

District Attorney Dewey Hudson, the chief prosecutor in Onslow County, said the military is handling "the paternity" issue. He said he was not aware of DNA testing results.

Hudson said he was satisfied with the Marine Corps investigation.