Gabby Petito case: ‘Possibility’ Brian Laundrie hurt himself in Florida, cops say
There is a “possibility” Brian Laundrie has hurt himself in the sprawling Florida wildlife reserve as dual searches continue for him and his missing girlfriend, Gabby Petito, police told The Post on Sunday.
Laundrie, 23, was last seen Tuesday after telling his family he was going for a hike, the kin told cops Friday, sparking a massive manhunt in the nearly 25,000-acre Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County.
“As far as hurting himself in there, we don’t know that one way or another. I think it’s a possibility certainly,” North Port police spokesman Josh Taylor said.
“Does anyone not think it’s possible he went out there and shot himself in the head? Sure,” Taylor said, adding, “We don’t have any information about where he’s at.”
The search for Laundrie by the FBI and about 50 law enforcement personnel got underway on Saturday, with no sign of the missing man.
Meanwhile, police said Laundrie’s parents picked up their Ford Mustang that was left at the reserve — and the car was spotted parked in the driveway of their North Port home over the last few days.
Laundrie was identified as a person of interest in Petito’s disappearance last week after he returned home alone Sept. 1 from their cross-country road trip.
Petito, 22, was reported missing Sept. 11 by her family, who have not heard from her since late last month.
Authorities from multiple agencies are searching for her in Wyoming and Utah.
