Autopsy: Wife of NC Marine was strangled with belt

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — An autopsy report shows a former Camp Lejeune Marine's slain wife was strangled with a belt.

The Daily News of Jacksonville reported Tuesday the autopsy showed marks on 21-year-old Jessy Lauer-Richardson's neck were consistent with a belt found in the couple's Jacksonville apartment.

Her 22-year-old husband was charged with first-degree murder. Cody Richardson of Wolfeboro, N.H., told a 911 operator he strangled his wife with a belt. He also said he had written a suicide note but couldn't kill himself.

The autopsy report found no alcohol or drugs in the 21-year-old Lauer-Richardson's body.

The Iraq war veteran was kicked out of the Marine Corps days after his arrest last month. Richardson remains in the Onslow County Jail under a $1 million bond.

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Information from: The Daily News, http://www.jdnews.com

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Nov 03, 2009 - 10:35 a.m. EDT

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