Lauterbach's Mom Speaks, Shares Home Video

Maria Lauterbach's mother wants to keep the case of her daughter in the public eye. On Monday, the family released new home video of the murdered Marine.

Posted 8:20 p.m. Apr 7, 2008 — Updated 1:30 a.m. Apr 8, 2008

RALEIGH, N.C. — Maria Lauterbach's mother wants to keep the case of her slain daughter in the public eye. On Monday, the family released new home video of the Marine.

Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach was murdered almost three months ago in Onlsow County. Her body and that of her unborn baby were found in a burn pit in a fellow Marine's backyard.

Mary Lauterbach said she spends many days at the grave of her daughter and unborn grandson, mourning the promise for the future that was lost with their deaths. She shared video of Maria playing high school soccer and planning her career in the Marines.

Mary Lauterbach is on a mission to find her daughter's killer and to protect other military women.

An autopsy showed Lauterbach died from a blow to the head. She was burned and buried in the back yard of a fellow Marine, Cpl. Cesar Laurean, whom she claimed was the father of her unborn child.

Mary Lauterbach wants Laurean brought to justice and wants other military women to feel safe in reporting threats.

Maria Lauterbach reported that Laurean had raped her in May. The two were still waiting for the case to be heard at the time of her death.

"My concern is, I want women to be better protected," she told CNN. "If there are perceived credibility issues, you still must protect the person who is making those claims."

North Carolina Governor Mike Easley is offering a $5,000 reward for the capture of Laurean, who is believed to be on the run in Mexico. The FBI has put up a $25,000 reward. A new artist's picture of what Laurean might look like with a beard and longer hair was released over the weekend.

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