( AP ) - 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.