(AP) - Court documents show that the wife of Corporal Cesar Armando Laurean waited almost 24 hours after learning of the death of one of his comrades to go to police.
Authorities say Laurean is the prime suspect in the violent death of Lance Corporal Maria Lauterbach, whose body was found buried in Laurean's backyard. She was eight months pregnant and had accused Laurean of rape. He had denied the charge to military investigators.
The sheriff's affidavit doesn't explain why Laurean's wife waited. Police have consistently described her as a cooperating witness, and she does not face charges.
The affidavit says Laurean told his wife, Christina, a week ago that Lauterbach visited the couple's home on December 15, demanded money and told him she planned to leave the area.
He told his wife that he and Lauterbach purchased a bus ticket for her to El Paso, Texas, but that she later returned to their home and they began to argue. He claimed Lauterbach produced a knife and slit her own throat.
An autopsy determined Lauterbach died of blunt force trauma to the head. Authorities have said they don't believe she committed suicide.
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