Four signs Brian Laundrie could be DEAD from sleep deprivation to gator-infested swamp hideout
SPECULATION is growing among internet sleuths that Gabby Petito's fugitive fiancé Brian Laundrie could be dead as the search nears a month.
Survivalists think the odds of finding alive are "declining" as they say a lack of sleep would likely drive him insane and he may have been eaten by alligators or bears in Carlton Reserve.
Laundrie returned alone to Florida on September 1 - just weeks after starting an ill-fated cross-country road trip across America's midwest with vlogger
He was reported missing on September 17 – days after he allegedly told his that he was going for a hike in the Carlton Reserve.
Alligators lurk underneath the swampy waters and the 25,000-acre nature reserve is home to venomous snakes, Florida panthers, and bears.
Cops have scoured the vast nature reserve for weeks and to help with their operations but Laundrie still hasn't been spotted.
Even reality TV star has joined search efforts as the mysterious case surrounding has gripped the American public.
Dog vowed that he would find Laundrie by the fugitive’s 24th birthday in November as he continues to scour the Florida wilderness despite potentially suffering an
for the 23-year-old, accusing him of swiping a Capital One debit card.
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While cops continue to search the snake and alligator-infested Carlton Reserve, efforts have been scaled back and FBI agents are now leading the probe.
told The Sun that detectives are under a lot of pressure.
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It's thought that millions of dollars have already been spent on the operation.
Search and rescue expert Mike Hadsell told the : “I can accurately estimate they are spending $200,000 a day on this search.”
Survivalist Mark Burrow told that police should have found evidence of him being there by now.
He added the fact they haven't might indicate that he wasn't there.
If Laundrie is struggling, coyotes and alligators "would eat" him, he warned.
'EATEN ALIVE'
Wilderness expert Mark Urban told : "You have so many animals that are hungry.
"You can be in a snake stomach, you can be in a gator stomach, or you can be eviscerated by a bear.
"An animal is not going to eat out in public. It's going to take back to where it feels safe and sheltered.
"Some of these animals can destroy you in this Florida heat."
He estimated that any smell would disappear in 12 to 24 hours meaning it could be tricky for dogs to detect a body.
Laundrie could find it hard to find safe drinking water or start a fire on the waterlogged land if he's hiding in the Carlton Reserve.
Experts say that Laundrie would need to boil water to kill pathogens or use a filtration tool. But rainwater is likely to be full of tannins after heavy downpours.
Smoke from the fire could potentially signal to cops where the fugitive may be hiding out.
Gabby’s friend Rose Davis said Laundrie had lived off-grid along the Appalachian Trail but survivalists think there’s a risk that the 23-year-old could make “foolish” decisions while "on the run".
Former US Marshal Lenny DePaul believes the fugitive is "sleeping with one eye open" as he fears law enforcement's next move.
He told the: “He’s gonna mess up. He’s going to make a mistake.”
'NOT SLEEPING WELL'
Jason Marsteiner, the founder of The Survival University, said: "Twenty-five days in that area is extremely tough. I wouldn’t want to do it and I’ve got jungle training, I’ve got mountain training."
He warned: "He's [Laundrie] not sleeping well, and when you don’t sleep you slowly drive yourself insane, so he would be making bad decisions, bad choices and I think that would cause him to be found or get injured or perish".
told The Sun: “Psychology is a big part of survival. Not only the fact that he’s trying to survive, but he’s also running and being pursued.
“There are a lot of things that are playing on his psychology that will end up making himself turn in, make a mistake, or get himself in a perilous situation. All of those things combined will give him problems.”
Canterbury said survivalists should carry with them a cutting tool, a combustion device, cover elements that protect the body, containers that are used to disinfect water, and cordage.
He coined the checklist: “The Five C’s of Survivability”.
The expert said: “Those five items are probably five things that he’s lacking. He may have one of them – he may have two of them. He probably does not have all of them.
“Unless he’s a very skilled survivalist, it’s going to be very difficult for him long term without at least having all of five of those items, and the knowledge and ability to put them to use.”
'EXPENSIVE SEARCH'
Laundrie remains at large and cops have not found any physical evidence that could help them in their search.
Dog the Bounty Hunter reportedly found a while searching for the fugitive and has turned over information to the FBI.
He scoured the Fort de Soto campground after receiving a tip that Laundrie and his parents had visited there on September 6.
The reality TV star also found a Monster energy drink can that looked like it had been recently discarded. It’s not known if the can belonged to Laundrie.
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Dog's team is also investigating potential leads from Colorado to Hawaii as the search intensifies, according to .
There have been several alleged sightings since he was reported missing, including in parts of Florida, Mexico, Canada, and Montana. Most potential leads have led to dead ends.
Brian Laundrie timeline
Brian Laundrie has not been seen since the morning of September 13. Here is a timeline of Laundrie's latest whereabouts:
- July 2021: and his fiancé leave for a grip across the country. The couple visit numerous national parks across the way.
- August 12: Police in Utah respond to an incident involving the couple. The bodycam footage is not released for another month but it shows a visibly upset talking to police after reports of a domestic violence incident outside a grocery store.
- August 24: Gabby is seen leaving a hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah, with Laundrie.
- September 1: returns to his home in North Port, Florida without Gabby.
- September 6: joins his family on a camping trip about 75 miles from their home in North Port.
- September 11: reports her missing.
- September 13: Laundrie leaves home to go hiking in Carlton Reserve, Florida. His family had initially said he departed on September 14, but revised their timeline weeks later.
- September 15: is named a person of interest in the case of Gabby.
- September 16: is released regarding the incident between Gabby and Laundrie.
- September 19: The FBI announces a body found at a Wyoming national park is believed to be that of .
- September 23: The FBI issued a warrant for claiming he "used unauthorized debit cards after Gabby Petito's death."
- September 26: A is held for Gabby in New York.
- September 27: announces he will lend a hand and help search for Laundrie.
- September 28: held an emotional press conference as the search for Laundrie continued.
- October 5: appeared on Good Morning America and urged her brother to come forward.
- October 7: assisted law enforcement in the search to find his son.
- October 12: were made public. Teton County Coroner Dr Brent Blue confirmed Gabby died by strangulation.