Missing girl Gabby Petito’s boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, is now missing himself.
Laundrie’s lawyer said police are currently searching for both Laundrie and Gabby. Laundrie has been the centerpiece of an FBI investigation after he returned home to Florida without Gabby, in the middle of their cross-country road trip. He quickly lawyered up and has refused to speak with authorities.
Laundrie’s lawyer made the following statement after several officers were seen Friday evening, going into the Laundrie residence in North Point, Florida.
“Be advised that the whereabouts of Brian Laundrie are currently unknown. The FBI is currently at the Laundrie residence removing property to assist in locating Brian. As of now the FBI is now looking for both Gabby and Brian.”
NEW from Laundrie's attorney —
“Be advised that the whereabouts of Brian Laundrie are currently unknown.
The FBI is currently at the Laundrie residence removing property to assist in locating Brian.
As of now the FBI is now looking for both Gabby & Brian." #FindGabby pic.twitter.com/7sGej5AKGw
— Jeff Butera (@ABC7Jeff) September 18, 2021
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Gabby last spoke with her mother, Nicole Schmidt, via FaceTime on August 23 or 24, when she may have been in Wyoming. Her mother also received a text message from Gabby’s phone on August 30 but said she wasn’t certain her daughter wrote the message.
“No service in Yosemite,” the August 30 text read.
Although Schmidt declined to share the rest of the contents in the text, she told DailyMail that she thought Laundrie sent the message himself before leaving Petito in the woods, in an attempt to throw off the search.
Schmidt also told DailyMail that Laundrie and his parents have made no efforts to return her messages or help her while her daughter remains missing.
“I texted Brian’s mom that I was trying to get in touch with Gabby. I also texted Brian. I got no replies,” Schmidt said. “I knew something was wrong. I felt something was off and I needed to get her reported missing immediately.”
A family attorney for Petito’s parents, Steve Bertolino, said that additional searches for Pepito are underway.
“It is our understanding that there is a search either at the moment, or commencing shortly out in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming,” Bertolino said in a statement. “And on behalf of the Laundrie family, it is our hope that Ms. Petito is located, and that she’s reunited with her family.”
Gabrielle Petito is described as a white female with blonde hair and blue eyes. She is reportedly 5 feet 5 inches tall and 110 pounds, with several tattoos, including one on her forearm that reads, “Let it be” in cursive.
Anyone with information is urged to call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.
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[Feature Photo: Instagram]