FBI takes items for 'matching' Brian Laundrie's DNA, family attorney says
VENICE, Fla. - Agents with the FBI were at the home of Brian Laundrie's parents Sunday to request personal items they could test and match for DNA, according to the Laundrie family attorney. It's unclear what prompted the request, on the eighth day of the search for Gabby Petito's fiancé.
According to attorney Steven Bertolino, "the FBI requested some personal items belonging to Brian Laundrie to assist them with DNA matching and Brian's parents provided the FBI with what they could."
Meanwhile, search crews returned to the Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County Sunday to search for Brian Laundrie, the only person of interest named in the disappearance of Gabby, whose remains have since been found in Grand Teton National Park.
Utah dispatch tells officer witness saw Brian Laundrie hit Gabby Petito
Minutes after Utah police were told about a report of a man striking a woman and taking off in a white Ford Transit van with Florida plates, officers pulled over Brian Laundrie and Gabby Petito and appeared to zero in on her as the aggressor, dispatch radio recordings show.
Searching for Brian Laundrie
For the last week, search crews have scoured the 25,000 acres that make up Carlton Reserve. That’s where Laundrie’s parents told police Brian went for a hike on September 14. He hasn’t been heard from since.
The family attorney told FOX News the parents – Christopher and Roberta Laundrie – said Brian did not take a cell phone or wallet with him, and they’re worried he might hurt himself. Officials have already combed the whole north side of the park and much of the Venice side of the reserve.
"We are working as hard to find him now as we did on day one," said North Port PD Cmdr. Joe Fussell. "That is really what is carrying us through. Is the drive to try to find Brian and try to put closure to this investigation."
'We're not wasting our time out here' police commander says of Laundrie search
Six days into the search for Brian Laundrie, police in North Port insist the grueling, exhausting search at Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County is worthwhile as they try to solve Gabby Petito's disappearance. Some video provided by NPPD.
Dog joins the hunt
While nothing of note has been reported from this weekend's search, investigators now have an extra hand in their manhunt. Dog the Bounty Hunter paid a visit to the Laundrie family home in North Port but received no answer.
Duane Chapman – his real name – and his wife were already on their honeymoon in Florida when people started reaching out to him about the case. Now, he’s joining the hunt for 23-year-old Brian. He said his expertise could help investigators.
RELATED: 'Dog the Bounty Hunter' joins the search for Brian Laundrie
Chapman is a father of 13 children. He lost a daughter around the same age as Gabby back in 2006 in a car accident. He said he can relate to Gabby’s family and wants to help get justice for them.
Remembering Gabby Petito
It’s been two weeks since Gabby Petito was reported missing and one week since her remains were discovered in Grand Teton National Park. As the search for her fiancé Brian Laundrie continues, communities from New York to North Port, Florida mourn Gabby’s death.
A funeral service and memorial was held Sunday in Long Island for family, friends, and community members.
Saturday night, hundreds from the North Port community came out to honor Gabby, holding a vigil outside of city hall in remembrance of her life. They say while she didn’t live in the community for long, her life and her story has already impacted so many.
Those as the vigil released butterflies as the sun set began to set, held a silent prayer and lit candles in remembrance of Gabby. This comes as hundreds from the community have continued to show up at city hall all week to add to the growing memorial, dropping off teddy bears and flowers.
READ: Florida statute may work to advantage of Brian Laundrie's parents
Investigators are now focused on finding answers as to what happened to Gabby, but the community is focused on making sure her memory continues to live on.
"She needs prayers, her family needs prayers, I mean, I prayed for her to be found and God answered that prayer, to just bring her home," says Colleen Roy, a North Port resident, "and it just breaks our heart to know just a beautiful girl was taken too soon."
MORE COVERAGE:
- FBI confirms Gabby Petito's remains found in Wyoming; manner of death 'homicide'
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- Gabby Petito’s possible remains found near where Tampa family spotted camper van
- FBI removes loads of evidence from Laundrie family home in connection with Gabby Petito's disappearance
- 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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