NORTH PORT (WSNN) – The whereabouts of Brian Laundrie are still a mystery, but every day we learn something new. Today, a family member was added to the search.
The FBI has been searching the Carlton Reserve for nearly three weeks. And now, Chris Laundrie, Brian’s dad, is assisting the FBI in that search.
“It’s crazy to think that it’s all happening right here,” North Port resident Jennifer Anderson said. “We’re pretty much a little blip, we don’t usually get a whole lot of excitement, so it’s kind of strange.”
Anderson lives right next to the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in North Port. She says there has been a lot more activity today than in recent weeks.
“The first weekend, it was pretty much like this, tons and tons of reporters and cops and stuff, but then it was kind of just was intermittent, one day there would be a few cops in here,” Anderson said.
Around 10, Thursday morning Chris left to help law enforcement agencies in the search for Brian Laundrie at the Carlton Reserve.
The attorney representing the Laundrie family, Steven Bertolino, told SNN, “Chris was asked to point out any favorite trails or spots that Brian may have used in the preserve. Although Chris and Roberta Laundrie provided this information verbally 3 weeks ago it is now thought that on-site assistance may be better.”
“No citizen is ever compelled to assist law enforcement,” Sarasota Criminal Defense lawyer, Derek Byrd said. “There is no crime against refusing to assist”
Byrd, says it’s good for the FBI to recruit the help of the parents, but honesty is important.
“They better be careful, because if you assist law enforcement and you choose that path, and then you end up not telling the truth or you’re lying about something, there is a host of crimes you could be charged with,” Byrd said.
After about three-and-half hours of helping agencies, Chris left the reserve and returned home.
Bertolino told SNN they didn’t find anything new, but “the effort was helpful to all.” He adds the Laundrie family hopes Brian is located soon.
The FBI is still the lead agency in the search efforts for Brian. North Port Police is assisting. We are asked to refer to the Twitter page @FBIDENVER for the updates. There are none.
