North Port, Florida (Fwrd Axis) – Local authorities and the FBI descended upon the family home of Brian Laundrie, 23, on Monday with a warrant to search the property for evidence related to the disappearance of Gabby Petito.
At approximately 10:10am/ET, police arrived at the Laundrie residence, flanked by FBI agents. The house and considerable perimeter area was declared a “crime scene.” After announcing the search warrant, officials escorted Brian Laundrie’s parents from the home and into a waiting unmarked van parked in the driveway.
After over an hour, Chris and Roberta Laundrie were escorted back into their home where it is presumed that questioning commenced as agents continued their extensive search of the property.
At the conclusion of the search, it was unclear what evidence was gathered other than the seizure of the Ford Mustang parked in the driveway. That vehicle was purportedly the car that Brian Laundrie last used to travel to the Carlton Reserve, but was recovered when the family went to search for Gabby Petito’s missing boyfriend prior to today’s court-ordered search warrant was executed.
The FBI division in Tampa, Florida tweeted that there were “no further details” in this ongoing investigation, but urged the public to assist with any information that could help investigators piece together this case or any leads as to the whereabouts of Brian Laundrie, who was last seen on Sept. 14.
Previous Search Warrant Seeks Hard Drive Contents
In an unsealed search warrant issued by North Port Police Department and signed on Wednesday, Sept. 15, details were revealed about an alleged “odd” text Gabby Petito’s mother received on Aug. 27. In the document, the text message read,
“Can you help Stan, I just keep getting his voicemails and missed calls.”Text from Gabby Petito’s cell phone to her mother on Aug. 27, according to search warrant.
The reference to “Stan” is to Gabby Petito’s grandfather, whom she never referred to as “Stan.” Petito’s mother became alarmed, as this behavior was out of character for her, according to her mother.
The warrant issued at that time was not related to the activity at the Laundrie residence on Monday, Sept. 20. [sharable-quote tweet=”FBI searches home of Brian Laundrie, parents as a manhunt continues. Autopsy tomorrow begins of a person ‘consistent with the description’ of Gabby Petito.” url=”https://fwrdaxis.com/fbi-searches-brian-laundries-family-home-in-connection-to-gabby-petito-case/”]
Manhunt Continues For Brian Laundrie
Over the weekend, authorities canvassed the approximately 25,000 acre Carlton Reserve, an area reportedly the location where Brian Laundrie was destined when he left his parent’s home equipped with only a backpack last week. Today, officials reported that law enforcement has moved away from investigating the area any further, though did not publicly elaborate upon where their manhunt would continue.
“At this time, we currently believe we have exhausted all avenues in searching of the grounds there. Law enforcement agencies continue to search for Brian Laundrie.”
Josh Taylor (North Port Police Public Information Officer)
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
