NO WALK IN THE PARK
Brian Laundrie news – Search teams say average people can’t walk around swamps despite his parents doing just that
OFFICIALS have claimed “challenging” conditions prevent people from searching the swamps where Brian Laundrie’s items were found - despite his parents being filmed walking through the area yesterday.
In a press conference on Thursday Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said the search of the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park was slowed down by “treacherous” terrain covered in “chest-deep water” and swarmed by alligators and rattlesnakes.
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“I couldn't be more proud of Chief Todd Garrison, Sarasota Sheriff's office, the FBI, and all law enforcement agents that are here today,” he told reporters.
"Today when I walked back there I got to see firsthand the treacherous conditions that they were working with.
"We're talking about water levels up almost above the chest area, rattlesnakes, moccasins, alligators, and these heroes go out there.
"While we can't change the outcome, we can bring justice," Marceno added.
"It's very, very difficult conditions. It's not like you can just walk up and look. It's not like you're searching a house or a car. These areas are huge and covered by water so I couldn't be more proud of the team. We're all one family.
"America's watching but we'll never, never jeopardize an investigation to give that information out until the time is right but again I want to reiterate, this is a difficult thing for law enforcement, things change but the second by the minute."
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Lee County offered back up to the search in the creek, which is being led by the FBI who are overseeing Gabby Petito’s murder case.
The search for Laundrie ramped up from September 24 when the FBI issued a warrant for his arrest relating to misuse of a bank card later revealed as Gabby’s.
He reportedly spent $1,000 on the card between August 30 and September 1.
Gabby was last seen alive on August 27.
The search for Laundrie in Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park had appeared to have wrapped up on Tuesday when it was reopened to the public.
Yet it was closed again within hours after Chris and Roberta Laundrie informed the FBI that they were going to the area to help identify places where their son liked to hike.
Despite the conditions the sheriff noted, they were filmed walking through the creek after they met with officers.
Steven Bertolino, the attorney for Brian’s parents, revealed on Wednesday night that Chris himself was first to discover a “dry bag” belonging to his son in full view of a reporter.
"Chris didn't want to pick the bag up because he wanted law enforcement to see it," Bertolino said.
He added: "This was caught on camera.
"Chris couldn't find the law enforcement because they were then out of sight, because Chris had been in the woods, so he didn't want to leave the bag there with the news reporter standing nearby, so he picked it up."
BACKPACK AND NOTEBOOK FOUND
Once he found the item, Bertolino insisted that Chris informed authorities.
Police then recovered a backpack and notebook believed to be Brian’s.
"They looked at the contents of the bag," the lawyer explained.
"At that time, law enforcement officers showed him a picture on the phone of a backpack that law enforcement had located also nearby, and also some distance off the trail."
The Laundries were then asked to leave the park as investigators continued combing the area.
Chris and Roberta Laundrie were seen "grieving" at the wilderness park as officers told them they believed they had found something.
Roberta Laundrie also appeared to wipe a tear away from her husband’s cheek.
The FBI later confirmed that Laundries backpack and notebook were found by human remains.
The remains have not yet been identified and the medical examiner said it could take several days.
However, Bertolino claimed that it is highly likely they belong to Brian Laundrie.
PERSON OF INTEREST
As they announced the shocking find on Wednesday, the FBI referred to Laundrie as a person of interest in Gabby’s murder for the first time.
Agents also confirmed that the remains were found in an area that was previously submerged in water.
“As you’re aware, the FBI and the North Port Police Department and our state and local law enforcement partners have been searching the area of the Carlton Reserve for Brian Laundrie, a person of interest in the murder of Gabby Petito,” FBI Tampa Division Special Agent in Charge Michael McPherson said.
Online sleuths were outraged that Laundrie's parents were the ones to find the white bag.
The attorney called it “hogwash” to suggest the parents planted Brian’s possessions in the swamp, explaining that they were both being shadowed by reporters and police.
Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park remains closed to the public as the investigation on the remains continues.
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Chris and Roberta Laundrie have remained at home and have not been seen since yesterday’s press briefing.
Gabby Petito's family has also not yet commented on the find.
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