Authorities scour wilderness preserve for Laundrie, person of interest in Gabby Petito's disappearance

North Port Police announced Saturday morning that federal and local law enforcement officers launched a search for Brian Laundrie in the vast Carlton Reserve.

News 12 Staff

Sep 18, 2021, 10:27 AM

Updated 947 days ago

Share:

A week after frantic search efforts began to find missing Long Island native Gabby Petito, the one person thought to hold all the answers has also disappeared.
The revelation was made Friday night as protesters demanded answers outside Brian Laundrie's home in North Port, Florida. Police spoke with his family inside and learned that he had gone missing.
NOTES AND UPDATES: Live Blog
Police say the Laundrie family is claiming that they “have not seen their son since Tuesday.”
Federal and local law enforcement spent Saturday scouring the 25,000-acre Carlton Reserve in Venice, Florida for Laundrie. The family told authorities they believe he entered the county park earlier in the week.
Laundrie, 23, has faced mounting scrutiny since Petito didn't return from a cross-country road trip the couple had documented on YouTube and other social media. Police named him a person of interest in Petito's disappearance.
Laundrie remained tight-lipped about his fiancée’s whereabouts.
The Petito family released a blistering statement through their attorney, saying, "All of Gabby's family want the world to know that Brian is not missing, he is hiding. Gabby is missing."
The Petito family attorney told News 12 that no interviews will be granted with family on Long Island for the time being. Petito's stepfather Jim Schmidt has been talking to the media from Wyoming.
“All that matters is finding her and bringing her home,” he said.
Schmidt is with federal and local authorities in Wyoming, where they have focused the search for Petito in National Teton Park. The FBI released a new missing person poster of Petito.
Her family is praying someone will see it and provide information that will help bring her home safe.
"We're keeping each other up. Remaining strong. We have our moments. We're human. But we're still focused on what we need to do and that's to find her, and we're determined to do that," said Schmidt.


More from News 12
1:49
Human remains unearthed during drainage work in Putnam County

Human remains unearthed during drainage work in Putnam County

0:56
Sunny for the rest of the workweek ahead before possible wet weekend in Hudson Valley

Sunny for the rest of the workweek ahead before possible wet weekend in Hudson Valley

2:30
Biden campaign reports blockbuster fundraising hauls ahead of visit

Biden campaign reports blockbuster fundraising hauls ahead of visit

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:22
Police: 29-year-old man dies after burning incident at Warwick Park

Police: 29-year-old man dies after burning incident at Warwick Park

2:07
Westchester County preps for President Joe Biden's visit

Westchester County preps for President Joe Biden's visit

0:23
Westchester DA: Ex-Mamaroneck library employee stole over $40,000 from library

Westchester DA: Ex-Mamaroneck library employee stole over $40,000 from library

0:42
Yonkers Spano releases proposed budget for 2025

Yonkers Spano releases proposed budget for 2025

1:54
State budget excludes aid for Orange County storm victims, lawmakers criticize Gov. Hochul

State budget excludes aid for Orange County storm victims, lawmakers criticize Gov. Hochul

2:07
​Officials hope to implement noise cameras to combat loud noise from street racing in Greenburgh

​Officials hope to implement noise cameras to combat loud noise from street racing in Greenburgh

1:52
Final negotiations on Carmel schools' budget linger late into the night

Final negotiations on Carmel schools' budget linger late into the night

0:36
Police: Father pleads guilty to string of burglaries from 2022

Police: Father pleads guilty to string of burglaries from 2022

0:31
Yonkers official calls for protection of city’s war memorial from graffiti, vandalism

Yonkers official calls for protection of city’s war memorial from graffiti, vandalism

0:40
Hochul: $33 million allocated to mental health in the state budget to expand services for felons

Hochul: $33 million allocated to mental health in the state budget to expand services for felons

0:57
Airlines will now be required to give automatic cash refunds for canceled and delayed flights

Airlines will now be required to give automatic cash refunds for canceled and delayed flights

0:28
Police officer's conduct under review following shoplifting incident at Newburgh Walmart

Police officer's conduct under review following shoplifting incident at Newburgh Walmart

0:31
Mount St. Mary College welcomes new president

Mount St. Mary College welcomes new president

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

0:41
Fire destroys car, damages garage in Rhinebeck

Fire destroys car, damages garage in Rhinebeck

1:49
Proposal for Putnam County lithium-ion battery storage station raises concerns in Westchester

Proposal for Putnam County lithium-ion battery storage station raises concerns in Westchester