Boyfriend of missing 22-year-old woman declared missing

NORTH PORT, Fla. — Brian Laundrie, the boyfriend of missing 22-year-old Gabrielle Petito, has also gone missing, according to his attorney.

Steve Bertolino, the Laundrie family’s attorney, shared a statement with KSL-TV Friday evening that said, “the whereabouts of Brian Laundrie are currently unknown. FBI is currently at the Laundrie residence removing property to assist in locating Brian. As of now the FBI is looking for both Gabby and Brian.”

On Thursday, North Port police in Florida said they knew where Brian was, but on Friday, they confirmed that Brian’s parents said they haven’t seen him since Tuesday.

North Port PD confirm…Brian’s parents say they haven’t seen him since Tuesday. #gabbypetito #missing @KSL5TV

— Matt Rascon KSL (@MattRasconKSL) September 18, 2021

The revelation was made after police were called out to his parent’s home late Friday afternoon.

North Port police wrote on social media that they were “speaking with the Laundrie Family at their request,” but they were not talking with Brian.

North Port Police are currently speaking with the Laundrie Family at their request. At this time, we are not speaking with Brian. More details when available.

— North Port Police (@NorthPortPolice) September 17, 2021

Petito’s father Joe has pleaded for Laundrie and his parents to speak up.

“This type of behavior is just, it’s cruel, it’s heartless,” he said.

At their home in Florida, Brian’s family did speak with police, but it’s unclear whether it had to do with Petito. 

“Where is Gabby? Where is Gabby? Where is Gabby?” a crowd of people could be heard chanting outside the home.

With a crowd calling for justice – police collected evidence and searched a mustang in the driveway.

Laundrie was named a person of interest in Petito’s disappearance Wednesday.

Police said Laundrie has not made himself available to be interviewed by investigators, nor has he provided any helpful details since he returned to Florida on Sept. 1 — 10 days before Petito’s parents reported her missing.

#UPDATE Brian Laundrie is a person of interest in this case. That means police believe there is evidence suggesting suspicious behavior around this case connected to him. He is not officially a suspect. There is a difference. https://t.co/09G9nVNiys

— Morgan Wolfe (@MorganWolfeKSL) September 15, 2021

Petito and Laundrie had set out on a cross-country van trip that included documented stops at national parks across Utah.

A full timeline of events can be viewed here.

Laundrie was described as 5 feet, 8 inches tall, weighing approximately 160 pounds, with brown eyes, short brown hair and trimmed facial trail.

Police said he was last seen wearing a hiking bag with a waist strap.

“We understand the community’s frustration, we are frustrated too. For six days, the North Port Police Department and the FBI have been pleading with the family to contact investigators regarding Brian’s Fiancé Gabby Petito. Friday is the first time they have spoken with investigators in detail. It is important to note that while Brian is a person of interest in Gabby’s disappearance, he is not wanted for a crime. We are not currently working a crime investigation. We are now working a multiple missing person investigations,” read a Facebook post from the North Port Police Department.