U.S. Marine sought in slaying seen in Mexico Missing U.S. Marine Cesar Laurean, wanted in the slaying of a pregnant colleague, visited relatives in Mexico last week but left without saying where he was headed, a man identified as his cousin said Tuesday. Juan Antonio Ramos Ramirez told the Associated Press that Laurean walked into his liquor store last Monday or Tuesday and the two cousins chatted for 10 minutes about their families. Laurean then told Ramirez that he had to get back to two friends outside. He never came back.
GUADALAJARA, Mexico -- Missing Marine Cesar Laurean, wanted in the slaying of a pregnant colleague, visited relatives in Mexico last week, a man who said he was his cousin told The Associated Press Tuesday.
CNN first reported that Laurean had briefly stopped by the liquor store of Juan Antonio Ramos Ramirez in Zapopan, just outside Guadalajara. Speaking to The Associated Press late Tuesday from his store, Ramos Ramirez said Laurean walked into his store last Monday or Tuesday and the two cousins exchanged about 10 minutes of small talk about their respective families.
Laurean then told Ramos Ramirez, whose mother is Laurean's sister, that he had to get back to two friends waiting outside.
Days later, Ramos Ramirez saw a television report that Laurean was wanted in the U.S. for killing 20-year-old Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach.
Authorities have said they suspected that Laurean fled to Mexico, but the comments from Ramos Ramirez were the first public confirmation that the Marine had been in the country.