Brian Laundrie reportedly parked his car around 17 miles away from what his parents allegedly reported.
According to an abandoned vehicle report created on September 14, Laundrie’s grey Mustang was found at 6968 Reisterstown Road in the Myakkahatchee Environmental Park in Florida, which is about 17 miles from and adjacent to part of the T. Mabry Carlton Jr. Reserve, where authorities have been searching for Brian Laundrie.
Laundrie’s parents initially said he left their home on September 14 for the Carlton Reserve, but the family’s lawyer, Steve Bertolino, said the family was mistaken about the date Laundrie left. The fugitive’s parents now claim that Laundrie left on September 13.
“The Laundries were basing the date Brian left on their recollection of certain events,” Bertolino wrote. “After consulting with the FBI and confirming the day Brian’s Mustang was found and returned to the Laundries’ home, we now believe the day Brian left to hike in the preserve was Monday September 13.”
Prior reports indicated that Laundrie’s parents told police he drove the Mustang to the Carlton Reserve in Florida, and left his car in the parking area. The Laundrie parents said they later picked up the car after police left a note on the vehicle.
On Wednesday, authorities intensified search efforts at the Carlton Reserve for Brian Laundrie. Officials have not said what prompted the heightened search, which comes after several days of the search being scaled back.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Laundrie is wanted on a felony warrant following the death of his girlfriend, 22-year-old Gabby Petito. Laundrie and Petito embarked on their cross-country trip in July, but by September 1, Laundrie returned to his parents’ North Port, Florida, home with Petito’s van, sans Petito.
On September 19, authorities found Gabby’s deceased body in a remote area at the Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming. Officials confirmed that the manner of death was a homicide but the cause of death is still pending.
Authorities issued a federal warrant for Laundrie for allegedly using a Capitol One Bank debit card without permission after Gabby passed away. Laundrie is said to have used the card between August 30 and September 1, “knowingly and with intent to defraud.”
Laundrie’s parents have insisted they have no clue where he is. They claimed he left their residence with a backpack on and headed to the Carlton Reserve on September 13. They reported him missing four days later.
Anyone with information on Laundrie’s whereabouts should contact the FBI at: tips.fbi.gov, call 1-800-CALL-FBI, or 303-629-7171. Upload photos and videos to: fbi.gov/petito.
Check back for updates.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast. Listen to a related episode.
[Feature Photo: Instagram]
