Slain Marine who was pregnant is buried

Family and friends wept and prayed Saturday at a funeral Mass for a pregnant Marine found slain in North Carolina.

The service for Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach drew hundreds of mourners to St. Christopher Catholic Church near Dayton.

Four uniformed Marines wheeled Lauterbach’s coffin down the aisle to the strains of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” A small, silver casket bearing Lauterbach’s fetus, whom she had named Gabriel, was placed next to it.

Federal authorities have said the man suspected of killing her, Marine Cpl. Cesar A. Laurean, has probably fled to Mexico. Lauterbach failed to show up for work in mid-December, and last month her burned remains were found with those of her fetus in a fire pit in the backyard of Laurean’s house in Jacksonville, N.C.

During his sermon, the Rev. Francis Keferl said Lauterbach had a strong spirit: “We remember her athleticism and her competitive spirit. We remember that she wanted to serve her country as a Marine.”

Outside the church, about 200 members of the Patriot Guard, veterans who ride their motorcycles to military funerals, lined the drive and stood at attention as the hearse arrived. A sign made of plastic cups read: “We Miss You, Maria.”

Later, mourners stood solemnly around the hearse when it arrived at Calvary Cemetery in Dayton. Six Marines saluted and carried Lauterbach’s flag-draped casket to her grave site. A Marine unit gave Lauterbach a 21-gun salute, and taps was played.

Lauterbach’s family said in a statement later that they were touched by the outpouring of love and sympathy from her fellow Marines.

“Maria would want it remembered that despite the fears and frustrations of the past several months, her proudest moments were as a Marine,” the family said.

Lauterbach, 20, had accused Laurean of rape in May, a charge he denied. Both were stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Lauterbach’s family issued a statement Friday reiterating concerns about how authorities handled her rape claim. Naval investigators have said they had no evidence to corroborate the claim, but Lauterbach and Laurean’s regimental commander were intent on taking the case to a hearing that could have led to a trial.

Despite lingering questions, the family said it was confident that civilian and military authorities would conduct a complete investigation.

Laurean, who was born in Mexico, is being sought on an indictment charging first- degree murder.

He fled North Carolina after leaving a note for his wife saying that Lauterbach had cut her own throat and that he had buried her body, authorities said.