Cpl. Cody Daniel Richardson, 22, strangles wife

NC Marine charged with murder in wife's death

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — A Camp Lejeune Marine charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife had confessed to the killing in a 911 call, police said Tuesday.

Cpl. Cody Daniel Richardson, 22, of Carroll, N.H., was charged in the death of his 21-year-old wife, Jessy, Jacksonville police said. He was held under a $1 million bond in the Onslow County jail.

Police Say Marine Left Wife in Apartment for 1-2 Days after Slaying

Chief Michael Yaniero told a news conference that Richardson confessed to a 911 operator that he strangled his wife, but an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.

Yaniero said officers went to the couple's apartment on Monday and found the Marine officer outside and the woman's body inside.

Authorities said the couple had an argument that resulted in her death and it appeared the woman had been dead for up to two days.

Jessy Richardson graduated from Kingswood Regional High School in 2006. Cody Richardson also attended the school but didn't graduate there. Those who knew the two said they were shocked by the murder charge.


Richardson was being held at the Onslow County Jail.

Camp Lejeune officials said Richardson is assigned to the 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune. He entered the Marine Corps in August 2006 and was promoted to corporal on May 1, 2008.

He deployed to Iraq in November 2007 and returned in May 2008. He is a decorated Marine and has been awarded the Iraqi Campaign Medal and National Defense Service and Global War on Terrorism service medals.

Sara Lauer, the mother of the victim, said she doesn't want her daughter's husband to serve any time if he is found responsible. She said that he needs help and will have to live what he's done.

Richardson is the latest Camp Lejeune Marine charged in a domestic violence case.




Cesar Laurean, a former Marines corporal, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach, whose charred remains were found in his backyard in January 2008.

Authorities have charged military personnel in the deaths of three other women in North Carolina.

Army Sgt. Richard Smith has been accused of hiring a man to kill his wife, Sgt. Christina Smith. Army Sgt. Edgar Patino has been charged with killing Spc. Megan Touma, who was pregnant. And Marine Cpl. John Wimunc has been charged in the death of his wife, Army 2nd Lt. Holley Wimunc.