I was initially somewhat concerned about why Lauterbach had been missing for so long before the Marine’s investigated the home of Corporal Laurean, the man she accused of rape. But it appears from the USMC’s description of events that they reasonably believed she went AWOL voluntary. In retrospect, it would have been prudent to investigate Laurean, but her going AWOL–complete with a goodbye note to her roomate and an ATM withdrawal–does not raise suspicion of foul play by itself. And the fact he killed her very early before any investigation could have occurred makes the Marines’ oversight a nonfactor in her death, though it definitely did contribute to Laurean’s flight from justice.
Overall, it’s really hard to figure out what happened here. She is dead. The accused is missing. It appears (from friends and others) she had a voluntary relationship with Laurean at one time. She also changed her tune on what happened and the paternity of the unborn child’s father. One wonders if he really was innocent of the rape charge but was incensed with Lauterbach for the false accusation. According to Laurean’s wife, Laurean told her that Lauterbach came by the home on the day of her departure to extort money from him. (Although, one wonders why a completely innocent person would be receptive to such threats?) Perhaps he was bribing her to skip town. Perhaps they had a deal along those lines and she upped the ante and increased her demands. Her presence there demands explanation.
Clearly Laurean’s claim that Lauterbach killed herself is ludicrous. But is it possible he murdered her and did not rape her? If she really were extorting money from him, this would give him a basis on which to seek a reduced charge of manslaughter. These issues may never be answered, since Laurean, like so many fugitives, has disappeared into the interior of our corrupt southern neighbor.
It’s a mystery and a sad tragedy that this young girl, however disturbed she might have been, has been taken from this world so early in life along with her unborn child. Her family, Laurean’s wife, the deceased, and all the other folks caught up in this drama have my sympathy.
Subscribe To This Feed
