Major campsite clue in search for missing fiancee of Gabby Petito
Remnants of a campsite have been found in the Florida nature reserve subject to the search for Brian Laundrie, as his own father joins the hunt for him.
A source close to the Laundrie family told CNN's Chris Cuomo that law enforcement found "fresh" remnants of a campsite in the reserve where authorities believe Brian Laundrie might be hiding asa he continues to evade police.
On September 18, a day before Gabby Petito's remains were found, authorities began searching the Carlton Reserve area, after Brian's parents said they hadn't seen him for days.
The FBI is reportedly taking the lead on the case.
Brian's father, Christopher Laundrie, has been asked to assist law enforcement with the search at Carlton Reserve, according to the lawyer representing the Laundrie family, Steve Bertolino.
"Since the preserve has been closed to the public Chris has not been able to look for Brian in the only place Chris and Roberta [Brian's mother] believe Brian may be," Mr Bertolino told CNN.
The lawyer confirmed the reserve is the only area they believe Brian to be.
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Brian was reported missing on September 17, with his family saying they had not seen him since September 14 when he went on a hike at the reserve.
However the timeline the family has put forward has been questioned, as an abandoned vehicle notice has come to light.
On September 14, an abandoned vehicle notice was left on the Laundrie's Mustang at one of the entrances to the Carlton Reserve, WFLA reported.
Breaking news: Law enforcement says it found remnants of recently used campsite at Carlton Preserve in the search for Brian Laundrie pic.twitter.com/8nUEisHYXT
— Cuomo Prime Time (@CuomoPrimeTime) October 7, 2021
Mr Bertolino told CNN that the father went to the reserve on September 13 to look for Brian, saying both he and his wife returned the following day to search for their son and saw the notice on the car.
They then went back to retrieve the car on September 15.
The family said they now believe Brian left for the preserve on September 13, having previously said the 14th, the lawyer said this week.
Mr Bertolino said the Laundrie family was basing the date Brian headed off for a hike on their "recollection of certain events".
"Upon further communication with the FBI and confirmation of the Mustang being at the Laundrie residence on Wednesday September 15, we now believe the day Brian left to hike in the preserve was Monday September 13," he said.
The revelations come after Gabby Petito's family sat down with Dr Phil and said despite trying to reach out to the Laundrie family before Gabby's body was found, they would not respond.
Gabby's father, Joseph Petito, said he would send text messages when their calls went unanswered. He even said he let the Laundrie family know they would be contacting the police because they had "no idea" what was going on.
"A normal parent when you text someone that they're going to call the cops because you can't find your child, they would reply," he said.
Mr Petito also called the Laundrie family "cowards" and said he believes Brian is still alive.
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