Brian Laundrie, Fiancé of Gabby Petito, Has Gone Missing, His Attorney Says

Brian Laundrie has been named a person of interest in Gabby Petito's disappearance

Brian Laundrie, the fiancé of missing 22-year-old Gabrielle Petito, has now also reportedly disappeared.

"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," an attorney for Laundrie's family said in a statement to multiple outlets, including PIX11, NBC2, and ABC News.

North Port Police said in a statement Friday evening that they are currently searching for Laundrie along with the FBI.

"The attorney for the Laundrie family called FBI investigators Friday night indicating that the family would like to talk about the disappearance of their son," police said. "The family now claims that they have not seen Brian since Tuesday of this week."

For more on the Gabby Petito case and other top stories, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.

"We understand the community's frustration, we are frustrated too," police said, adding that though they have been trying to speak with Laundrie's family for six days, "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," police continued. "We are not currently working on a crime investigation. We are now working on a multiple missing person investigation."

North Port Police tweeted on Friday afternoon that officers were "currently speaking with the Laundrie family at their request," though they did not release the context of the conversation.

"We've been trying all week to talk to his family, to talk to Brian, and now they've called us here on Friday, we've gone to the home, and they're saying now they have not seen their son," North Port police spokesperson Josh Taylor told CNN. "So we are working through those details as we speak. It is another twist in this story."

PEOPLE has not been able to reach the attorney for Laundrie's family. The North Port Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

Laundrie, 23, has been named a person of interest in his fiancée's disappearance. Police said Wednesday that he has refused to cooperate with their investigation.

Gabby Petito, Brian Laundrie
Gabby Petito, Brian Laundrie. Find Gabby/Facebook

On Saturday, detectives attempted to interview Laundrie and his parents at their home, but were told to contact the family's attorney, who has instructed his clients not to talk.

The announcement of his disappearance comes one day after Petito's parents begged Laundrie and his family for help in finding their daughter.

"We believe you know the location where Brian left Gabby," the letter reads. "We beg you to tell us. As a parent, how could you let us go through this pain and not help us? As a parent, how could you put Gabby's younger brothers and sisters through this."

Lawyer Richard Stafford read the letter for reporters on behalf of his clients, Petito's parents, Joe Petito and Nichole Schmidt, and her stepparents, Tara Petito and Jim Schmidt.

"Please, if you or your family has any decency left, please tell us where Gabby is located," the parents plead in the letter. "Tell us if we are even looking in the right place."

"We understand you are going through a difficult time and your instinct to protect your son is strong," the letter reads. "We ask you to put yourselves in our shoes. We haven't been able to sleep or eat and our lives are falling apart."

Petito and Laundrie had been traveling across America in a white Ford Transit van since early July.

RELATED VIDEO: Utah Police Release Body Camera Video of Gabby Petito and Fiancé 2 Weeks Before Her Disappearance

Petito was reported missing on Sept. 11 — 10 days after Laundrie returned to his parents' North Port, Fla., home in their van. Petito was last heard from on Aug. 25, when she was near Grand Teton National Park in Jackson, Wyo.

On Aug. 12, police in Moab, Utah, were called to a food cooperative after bystanders reported witnessing a heated argument between the two. Police body camera footage of the police questioning the pair for over an hour was released late Wednesday. Both Petito and Laundrie were released without criminal charges.

Later, in paperwork, police would categorize the incident as a "mental health crisis."

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Petito is a white female, approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall and 110 lbs. She has blonde hair and blue eyes, and several tattoos, including one on her finger and one on her forearm that reads "let it be."

Laundrie is a white male, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall and 160 lbs. He has brown eyes and short brown hair, trimmed facial hair and was last seen wearing a hiking bag with a waist strap.

Anyone with information on Petito's or Laundrie's whereabouts is urged to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.

Related Articles