According to Florida authorities, the boyfriend was identified as a person in interest following last month's disappearance of his long-term girlfriend on a cross-country road trip.
According to the North Port Police Department, the search for Brian Laundrie (23 years old) was focused on the 25,565-acre Carlton Reserve. This sprawling wildlife preserve is located in Sarasota Court. There were approximately 50 law enforcement officers involved. Investigators took some Laundries clothing and used it with scent-sniffing dogs to assist in the search. Authorities used drones and other all-terrain vehicles for their investigation.
In a Friday phone call to FBI, his parents stated that Laundrie was last seen before he left on Tuesday. Gabby Petito, the 22-year old daughter of Laundrie disappeared, was not convinced. They noted that her missing boyfriends refused to cooperate with investigators ever since they filed a missing person report on their daughter on Sept. 11.
Gabby's family wants the world to know that Brian has not disappeared, but is hiding, according to Richard Stafford, Petito family lawyer. Gabby is missing.
Another twist was added to the search for the missing young girl: While the Laundrie family claimed that their son drove to the reserve only with his backpack, police spokesperson Josh Taylor said that Brian's car was found at their house.
Taylor said at a news conference that they were going to abide by their word. We believe that the vehicle traveled from here to their home. We are looking into corroboration of all information we have received. However, we prepare for all possible outcomes. Our goal is to find him and bring him home to North Port.
Since he returned to his home earlier this month, Laundrie declined to meet with investigators. Petito had lived with him and his parents.
The North Port Police stated in a statement that they understand the frustration of the community. We understand your frustrations.
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There was no explanation for why Laundries didn't contact federal agents immediately after Brian had left.
It is important that Brian, while he is an individual of interest in Gabby's disappearance, is not wanted for any crime, according to the North Port police. We are not currently conducting a crime investigation. Multiple missing person investigations are currently being conducted.
Police say that Friday's call was the first time the Laundries family spoke with investigators in depth since their son returned home on Sept. 1.
The Petito family filed a missing persons report with Suffolk County police, L.l. 10 days later. They pleaded with Laundrie for any information he had about Gabby's disappearance. In late August, the Petitos heard nothing from their daughter.
Petito, originally from Long Island was travelling with Laundrie in her converted van. She disappeared after they fought on Aug. 12 while driving through Utah. Laundrie drove the missing girlfriend's car back to his home and took control of her van.
