The suspect in the death of a Marine has a connection to north-central Ohio. Marine Corporal Cesar Armando Laurean is being sought for the death of 20-year-old Maria Lauterbach and her 8-month-old fetus.

Jacksonville, North Carolina law enforcement officers believe Lauterbach (pictured below) was killed in the home Laurean (pictured above) shared with wife Christina.

Christina’s parents are Debbie and Bruce Shifflet, who reside in the Prospect, Ohio area. Christina graduated from Elgin High School.

Onslow County Sheriff Ed Brown has called Laurean’s wife, Christine, a “cooperative witness”.

Christina Laurean said her husband fled the Camp Lejeune area after leaving a note in which Corporal Laurean admitted to burning Lauterbach’s body and then burying it, but he said he did that only after the victim killed herself.

On Tuesday, an autopsy revealed Lauterbach was killed by blunt force trauma to the head, contrary to the letter.

The coroner’s revelation came moments before officials confirmed they had found Laurean’s pick-up truck at a motel.

The case started with Lance Corporal Lauterbach accusing Laurean of rape.