News reports say a Mexican court has issued an arrest warrant for a U.S. Marine suspected in the killing of his pregnant colleague.
U.S. officials believe 21-year-old Marine Corporal Cesar Laurean fled to his native Mexico to avoid prosecution.Laurean is a suspect in the death of Lance Corporal Maria Lauterbach, who was eight months pregnant when she disappeared in December.
Authorities found her burned remains in the backyard of Laurean's North Carolina home on January 11.
Police say the victim had accused Laurean of rape and was preparing to testify against him in a military investigation.
Reports say a Mexican court issued the arrest warrant on a U.S. extradition request.
A Mexican relative told U.S. reporters that he spoke with the fugitive Marine near Guadalajara earlier this month.
Juan Antonio Ramos Ramirez said he did not know his cousin is a wanted man.
He said Laurean dropped by a liquor store Ramirez owns to say hello.
Some information for this report was provided by AP.