NORTH PORT – The search for Gabby Peitio took a shocking turn Friday night when authorities were told by Brian Laundrie’s family that he hasn’t been seen since earlier this week.
Multiple law enforcement agencies are searching the Myakkahatche Park where authorities were told by family of Brian that they believe he may have come here after last seeing him on Tuesday.
“We’ve got about 50 law enforcement personnel back here in the park,” said Josh Taylor. “This is kind of an opening to more than 25-thousand acres that are over here under the Carlton reserve so obviously it’s a vast area.”
A shocking turn of events in the disappearance of Gabby Petito. The search continues for the missing North Port woman but on Friday the search for Brian began.
“Our goal is to locate him and bring him back to North Port,” said Taylor.
Saturday morning North Port Police, FBI agents, and several other agencies began their search for Brian at a nature preserve near his home. This after his family told authorities Friday night they saw him leave with a hiking bag with a waist band on Tuesday.
The initial search focused on the 200 acres at the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park, where North Port Police PIO Josh Taylor says Brian is thought to have entered.
The search has now spread into the Carlton Reserve, which encompasses 25,000 acres.
“Brian is a resident of this community. Brian was not a suspect in a crime. Brian was a person of interest in a missing person. We are not following him everywhere he’s going,” said Taylor. “There’s been some of that conversation floating out there and that’s just not how it works.”
After having returned home on September 1st without his fiancé – Brian has refused to talk with police about her whereabouts.
Authorities say they remain hopeful they’ll be able to locate Brian. However, Taylor says Brian could be out in the nature preserve for months if he wanted to, depending on his skills.