Marines at Camp Lejeune remembered one of their own today, Lance Corporal Maria Lauterbach.
Authorities say Lauterbach was killed by fellow Marine Corporal Cesar Laurean in December and buried in his back yard.
The private service on base lasted about 45 minutes this morning and was attended by Lauterbach's mother, Mary.
Mary Lauterbach told WITN News that it was very difficult coming to Jacksonville, and that making the trip brought back difficult memories.
Today's vigil was hosted by the 2nd Marine Logistics Group. She said the chapel on base was filled with all her daughter's friends and coworkers.
"They have a formal process where they do a roll call and they called Maria's name three times, and when she doesn't answer it ends there...and they asked them all to come up and pay their homage, it was very beautiful," Mary Lauterbach told WITN.
Lauterbach said the Marine Corps has been extremely gracious towards the family, as has the Onslow County Sheriff's Department.
"We really want to thank the sheriffs office for everything they've done, because as you can see, once it was understood what was happening they brought it to a head very quickly and wrapped it up, they are very adamant about finding Corporal Laurean," says Lauterbach.
There is another article at JDNews about the ceremony. The family needed this for sure.
http://www.jdnews.com/news/lauterbach_55226___article.html/laurean_family.html