Law enforcement officials searching for Brian Laundrie have discovered what they believe to be partial human remains in a Florida nature reserve nearby several personal items belonging to the fugitive, multiple outlets reported Wednesday.
According to Fox News, investigators found “what appear to be human remains” during a cadaver dog search in Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in North Port, Florida, alongside “some articles belonging” to Laundrie.
Laundrie’s parents coordinated with law enforcement and assisted investigators in the Wednesday search, family’s attorney Steven Bertolino said.
The site where the apparent human remains were found was previously underwater, NBC News reported.
The remains have not been confirmed to be Laundrie’s, but the Sarasota County medical examiner has been called to the scene to begin the process of identification. The FBI is now also leading a thorough search of the area and is expected to address the discovery in a news conference later this afternoon.
In a statement, Bertolino said, “Chris and Roberta Laundrie went to the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park this morning to search for Brian.”
He added: “The FBI and NPPD were informed last night of Brian’s parents’ intentions and they met Chris and Roberta there this morning. After a brief search off a trail that Brian frequented, some articles belonging to Brian were found. As of now, law enforcement is conducting a more thorough investigation of that area.”
The news comes just shortly after a blogger noticed a small change on Laundrie’s Pinterest account that potentially indicated that he was still alive.
Laundrie, 23, who is the sole person of interest in the Gabby Petito murder case, has been missing for more than a month since returning home to North Port without his fiancé in early September.
Petito’s remains were discovered Sept. 19 in Wyoming near a campsite in the Bridger-Teton National Forest and a medical examiner later determined that she had been strangled to death weeks before being found.
The 22-year-old had been missing since Sept. 11. She and Laundrie were traveling on a cross-country trip when she inexplicably disappeared.
In recent weeks, law enforcement have led an exhaustive search for Laundrie centering on the Carlton Reserve in Florida where he frequently visited.
Given their location of nearby personal items belonging to Laundrie, it would not be surprising if the apparent remains were found to be Laundrie’s. However, it should be noted that the manhunt for Laundrie has turned up at least five bodies of missing persons.
Apparent Human Remains Found After Brian Laundrie’s Possessions Located In FL Park
www.youtube.com