FBI removes loads of evidence from Laundrie family home in connection with Gabby Petito's disappearance
VENICE, Fla. - The search for Brian Laundrie moved from a swampy Sarasota preserve back to the home he shares with his family Monday. FBI agents spent most of the day searching the home, filling police vehicles with evidence, and speaking with his parents.
They also towed away a silver Ford Mustang thought to belong to Brian.
Carloads of agents pulled up to the home around 10 a.m., not long after North Port police announced there would be no "major search" Monday for the 23-year-old, who was named a person of interest earlier this week in the disappearance of Gabby Petito.
After FBI agents pulled up to the Laundrie home Monday morning, they briefly placed Brian's parents in a van outside. A statement from the agency said only that agents were executing a search warrant at the home "relevant to the Gabrielle ‘Gabby’ Petito investigation."
Brian Laundrie's parents were seen outside their North Port home after the FBI arrived to serve a search warrant on September 20, 2021 (Photo from FOX)
As sunny skies over North Port turned to rain, FBI agents backed a large van up to the garage of the Laundrie home and began loading items inside.
When the van was full and pulled out of the driveway, another vehicle backed in and agents began loading in more evidence.
FBI agents remove carloads of items from Laundrie house Monday
Monday evening, just before sunset, the FBI Tampa field office said in a tweet that the search of the Laundrie house had concluded.
Law enforcement spent the weekend searching the 25,000-acre Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County, but wrapped up Sunday evening with "nothing to report." Monday morning, a police spokesperson said there were no plans to return to the preserve.
"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," NPPD’s Josh Taylor offered.
Investigators believe Laundrie – Gabby Petito’s fiancé – is the last person to see her alive. Sunday, the FBI announced they'd found human remains matching Gabby’s description near Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.
An autopsy scheduled Tuesday will confirm the identity and possible cause of death.
Via FOX News
The couple had been in the middle of a cross-country van trip when Laundrie returned to the North Port home the couple shared with his parents on September 1 – with the van, but without Gabby.
Gabby’s family reported her missing on September 11 after not hearing from her since August 25.
Brian Laundrie was later named a person of interest in her disappearance.
After not speaking with investigators for days, the Laundrie family eventually told investigators Brian had left days earlier with a backpack, heading for the preserve. The family’s attorney said Brian’s parents actually went looking for him on Wednesday and found his car parked at the preserve, but they left it so he could drive home.
However, when he didn’t return Thursday morning, the parents say they went to retrieve the car themselves.
A search warrant released Monday revealed that police had already searched the couple's van and found an external hard drive they plan to search for any clues.
An attorney for the Petito family says Brian is not missing but rather on the run, adding that the Laundrie family’s request to have the North Port police look for their son but not for Gabby is "reprehensible and hypocritical."
Tampa family says it was fate that led to video of Gabby Petito’s possible van
The Bethunes, who live in the Tampa area, say they spotted what is believed to be Gabby Petito's camper on August 27. On Sunday, they submitted their video to the FBI -- which also happens to be the birthday of their son, Ethan, who died in 2011.
READ: Gabby Petito’s possible remains found near where Tampa family spotted camper van
The Laundrie family put out a statement Sunday night, saying the news about Gabby is "heartbreaking," adding that they’re praying for her and her family. Their attorney told FOX News on Monday that he had no immediate comment on the FBI search, but he plans to hold a news conference Tuesday afternoon on Long Island.
The Laundrie family lawyer has planned to make a statement during a press conference Tuesday at 1 p.m., but that press conference was canceled Monday night.
WNYW's Jodi Golberg quoted the Laundrie family lawyer via tweet, "As per my conversation with the FBI this evening there will be no press conference tomorrow."
Investigators are still asking the public for help in locating Brian Laundrie. They say he is a white male, 5-foot-8 and weighing 160 pounds. He has brown eyes, very short brown hair, trimmed facial hair, and was last seen wearing a hiking bag with a waist strap.
Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
MORE COVERAGE:
- Gabby Petito investigation: 911 call reveals Brian Laundrie seen hitting, 'slapping' her before disappearance
- Body found at Wyoming search site matches description of missing Florida woman
- Gabby Petito updates: Everything known about her disappearance
- Gabby Petito case: Timeline of 22-year-old woman's disappearance
- Police speak with TikTok user who claimed to give boyfriend Laundrie a ride
- Gabby Petito's family, North Port police chief express frustration with Brian Laundrie's silence
- Missing woman's haunting songs on Spotify account may provide answers
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