DENVER, Co. (Fwrd Axis) — Human remains discovered on Wednesday in the manhunt for Brian Laundrie were confirmed to be his after a review of dental records, the FBI confirmed late Thursday afternoon.
The remains were found in Florida’s Carlton Reserve on Wednesday along with personal items belonging to Laundrie, who was declared a person of interest in Gabby Petito’s disappearance prior to her body being found in Wyoming.
Laundrie’s parents helped lead the FBI and North Port police to the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park, according to Steven Bertolino, an attorney for the Laundrie family.
“Chris and Roberta Laundrie were at the reserve earlier today when human remains and some of Brian’s possessions were located in an area where they had initially advised law enforcement that Brian maybe,” he said in a statement.
Petito and Laundrie were traveling across the country before news circulated that Petito disappeared and Laundrie returned to Florida without her. An arrest warrant was issued for Brian Laundrie after he used Petito’s credit cards following her disappearance.
Petito’s body was discovered on September 19 in Wyoming and officials confirmed she was dead for at least three weeks. At an autopsy later, it was determined that she died as a result of strangulation. Brian Laundrie had been missing since September after his parents said he went hiking in the Carlton Reserve and never returned.
Laundrie has not been charged with Petito’s murder and remains a person of interest in the case.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated with more information as it becomes available.
