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1:50 a.m. • 2-10-12

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Pregnant Marine's Disappearance Worries Authorities


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Marine Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach
Marine Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach

A pregnant Marine who disappeared three weeks ago from Camp Lejeune is due to deliver any day, and authorities grow more concerned daily about her safety.

Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach 20, was reported missing by her mother on Dec. 19, five days after the two last spoke, authorities said. Her car was found Monday night at a bus station near base – investigators said it hadn't been there long – and they found her cell phone on N.C. Highway 24.

The Marine Corps Times newspaper has reported suspicious activity has been flagged in Lauterbach's bank accounts since her disappearance.

"The more that we have suspicious things come up, the more concern we have that something is not right with this lady's disappearance," Onslow County Sheriff Ed Brown said.

The Onslow County Sheriff's Office is working on the case with the State Bureau of Investigation and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

Lauterbach, a member of the 2nd Marine Logistics Group, joined the Marines in June 2006 but hasn't been deployed. She was 8½ months pregnant when she was last seen and could already be past her due date.

"It does become more of a concern for endurance when you're dealing with a lady who is near delivery with child," Brown said.

Investigators declined to discuss a possible "significant other" or the father of Lauterbach's baby.

She lived in the Midway Park housing area, which isn't on base but is reserved for Marines. Deputies have searched the home and questioned some roommates.

Investigators are still waiting to talk with at least one male roommate who might be deployed, Brown said, adding the man could be considered a person of interest.

"Until you can interview him and eliminate him, you still consider them as key people of concern," he said.

Lauterbach also was scheduled to testify in a criminal case after being the victim of an on-base crime, he said, declining to elaborate.

"The longer it goes, the more stressful it gets that something may have happened to this lady against her will," he said.

Lauterbach's mother came to Onslow County last weekend from the family's home in Montgomery, Ohio, to provide whatever assistance she could in the investigation. Friends and relatives also set up a Facebook.com page to help find the missing Marine, who they said would never go anywhere without letting someone know.

"We're going to turn over every stone trying to locate her," Brown said.

RELATED TOPICS: Onslow County, Montgomery County

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19 Comments


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I wonder about that drifter guy Hilton in Georgia. If the links to the other NC murders and the suspected Florida murder turn up positive evidence, then it is obvious we have a drifter-serial killer floating up and down the eastern US.

Just a gut feeling hunch here. I bet they clear up a number of missing persons cases the more they talk to that guy.

There is not alot of info regarding her pregnancy (ie who is the father etc.) and not alot is being divulged. It's not really anyone else's business but it could very well be relevant to her being missing.

Lord knows that the rate of pregnant women being slain is incredible and getting worse. (One in Raleigh in the last year)it could very well be anyone including someone involved in the incident she witnessed, but that scenerio happens everywhere not just in military circles (gangs, etc.) It's always in the news all over the country so I personally can't get on the "playing for keeps" train pertaining to the military. That's just me though. I and my 5 sister's didn't marry military because the life is too hard on everyone in the family. In 20 years plus in the area mostly on base I never witnessed the "playing for keeps" mentalilty. Gung-ho maybe but not vendetta death style.

1crazygirl, exactly where are you from, the Piney Green area or more toward Swansboro?

prayers to her family

The fact that her car was abandoned and her cell phone found on the side of the road should raise SERIOUS red flags! I sure hope she is found safe and sound, but I have a bad feeling... Her poor family...

Sandollar, That sounds like “A Few Good Men”, not like the LeJeune that I grew up on. Dad worked for the Commanding Generals so we knew what was going on. LeJeune is a good-sized city pop. wise & it’s crime rate is very low. J"ville has a much higher crime/murder rate than the base does, mostly civilians.

Most Marines are aged 18-23 and fresh out of boot camp scared to death. The NCO’S & Staff NCO (Sgt and above) also try to train them to keep themselves & others alive. I've seen some NCO's cry after losing a man at war. The men train & get shipped out all over the world by the Navy. After training all week they leave base at 12noon on Fri. & head to J’ville for drinking & partying and sometimes get into trouble. They get back to base by 6am Mon. to start over again.

Rarely, a Marine may lose his life in training mishaps (ammo, bombing ranges, drowning) but it’s no where near the “playing for keeps” scene painted. Yes, there are bad apples on base, but RARELY li

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