A day after the body of Gabby Petito was believed to have been found in Wyoming, police in Florida continue to search for her fiance, a “person of interest” in her disappearance.
FBI agents served a warrant and searched the home of Brian Laundrie and his parents on Monday. North Port police spent the weekend searching the Carlton Reserve, where — according to his parents — Brian Laundrie said he was going Tuesday. However, police believe they have “exhausted all avenues in search of the grounds” at the 25,000 acre reserve, according to a news release.
What is believed to be Petito’s body was found in the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area in Bridger-Teton National Forest on the eastern edge of Grand Teton National Park. Although authorities have not 100% confirmed it is Petito, the FBI has informed her family they believe it’s the missing woman.
Her father posted a broken heart on Twitter, writing, “She touched the world.”
Laundrie’s parents told police Brian left their home on Tuesday wearing hiking gear and they believed he went to the Carlton Reserve, about 13 miles from North Port. Two days later, North Port Police Chief Todd Garrision said his department knew where Brian Laundrie was, though the department only learned later that he had left his parents’ home.
Asked by CBS News if police believe Laundrie’s parents were telling the truth about where their son is, North Port police spokesman Josh Taylor said, “I think at this point, anything’s on the table.”
(Moab Police Department) Brian Laundrie talks to a police officer after police pulled over the van he was traveling in with his girlfriend, Gabrielle “Gabby” Petito, near the entrance to Arches National Park on Aug. 12, 2021. The couple was pulled over while they were having an emotional fight. Petito was reported missing by her family a month later and remains believed to be her were discovered on Sept. 19 in Wyoming.
The Laundries, through their lawyer, released a statement that the discovery of what is believed to be Petito’s body is “heartbreaking” … The Laundrie family prays for Gabby and her family.”
According to the FBI, an autopsy on the body found in Wyoming is scheduled Tuesday.
Petito and and Laundrie left their home in Florida and embarked on a monthslong road trip earlier this year, and Petito chronicled their journey on social media, posting photos and videos. During their cross-country trip, the couple visited Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon, Zion and Arches national parks, according to Petito’s Instagram account, @gabspetito.
On Aug. 12, Moab police responded to a “domestic problem” involving the couple that was later categorized as a disorderly conduct incident, records show. No one was charged, but an officer separated the couple for the night, driving Laundrie to a hotel and leaving Petito with the camper van so they could “relax their emotions,” records state.
The two checked out of a Salt Lake City hotel on Aug. 24.
Petito last spoke with her mother in late August. She was reported missing on Sept. 11, and police later learned that Laundrie had returned to Florida alone 10 days earlier, driving the van he had shared with Petito.
