Topline
Human remains were found near where items belonging to Brian Laundrie were located Wednesday, NBC News reports, though it is not immediately clear if the remains are of Laundrie, who is a person of interest in the homicide of his fiancée Gabby Petito and has a federal arrest warrant out for him.
The long search for Brian Laundrie finally found some answers Wednesday. (Photo by Octavio … [+]
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Key Facts
The FBI’s Tampa division tweeted at 2:10 p.m., “Items of interest were located at the Carlton Reserve this morning in connection with the search for Brian Laundrie” and that an FBI team “is processing the scene.“
This confirms earlier reports from Fox News and NBC affiliate WFLA, as Laundrie family attorney Steven Bertolino told Fox News that “some articles belonging to Brian” were found at Florida’s Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park, which is in North Port, Florida and connected to the larger Carlton Reserve that Laundrie was thought to be hiding.
The Sarasota County Medical Examiner’s Office and a cadaver dog were called to the reserve in connection to the search for Laundrie, according to CNN.
In a statement provided to Spectrum Bay News 9, Bertolino said that the items were found after Laundrie’s parents, Chris and Roberta Laundrie, informed law enforcement of a path he previously visited, and “Now, law enforcement is conducting a more thorough investigation of the area.”
Key Background
Petito’s disappearance during her and Laundrie’s cross-country road trip attracted widespread media attention, and her body was discovered in Wyoming on September 20. Two days prior, Laundrie, who had returned to his family’s Florida home, was reported missing after being identified as a person of interest in connection to Petitto’s disappearance and death, which was ruled a likely homicide. A federal jury indicted Laundrie on September 23 for allegedly using Petito’s debit card after her death, though no arrest warrant has been issued in connection to Petito’s death.
Crucial Quote
The NBC News report cites an unnamed law enforcement officer, who “says what appears to be partial human remains have been found in Florida’s Carlton Reserve in a location that was previously under water. There is no confirmation the remains belong to Laundrie. The remains were found near a backpack, according to this source, which may be consistent with the type of items Laundrie may have had in his possession.”
Further Reading
Arrest Warrant Issued For Brian Laundrie, Gabby Petito’s Missing Fiance (Forbes)
Here’s What We Know About Gabby Petito’s Disappearance—And What We Don’t (Forbes)
FBI Confirms Body Found In Wyoming Is Gaby Petito, As Death Is Ruled Likely A Homicide (Forbes)
