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Autopsy: Marine wife strangled with belt

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — The wife of a former Marine was strangled to death with a belt, according to an autopsy report.

Faint, parallel markings of a belt about an inch-and-a-half wide were on the right side of Jessy Lauer-Richardson’s neck, according to the report, released Nov. 2. The belt markings are “compatible” with one Jacksonville police found in the apartment the 21-year-old shared with her husband, Cpl. Cody D. Richardson, near Camp Lejeune.

Richardson was charged Sept. 21 with first-degree murder after calling 911 to turn himself in, saying he had killed his wife two nights before, according to court documents.

During the call, Richardson, who was an anti-tank missileman with 2nd Marines, said he had had contemplated taking his own life, but couldn’t go through with it.

Authorities found Lauer-Richardson’s naked body inside a bedroom in the couple’s apartment. The autopsy concludes she died sometime the evening of Sept. 19.

Richardson is in the Onslow County jail under a $1 million bond.