Laundrie family lawyer reveals Brian's dad came up empty in Florida park search: LIVE UPDATES
Brian Laundrie's father, Christopher, has left the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park on Thursday after his lawyer said he was there to point out his son's "favorite trails and spots."
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Brian Laundrie has been on the run for several weeks since his fiancé, Gabby Petito, was declared missing and the Petito family believes he holds the answers to what happened to their daughter.
The Petito and Schmidt families sat down with Fox News senior correspondent Laura Ingle to vocalize their frustrations regarding the ongoing manhunt for Laundrie and their hopes to find answers.
"Just turn yourself in," Petito’s mother Nichole Schmidt said of Laundrie. "It’s just getting more and more frustrating as days go on. I don’t know what’s taking so long."
The Petito family's lawyer, Richard Stafford, gave an update on the family's Gabby Petito Foundation, thanking those who have donated to the new organizaiton.
"The family is more than grateful for the donations to the Gabby Petito Foundation," Stafford said. "They are working very hard to help missing persons and victims of domestic violence. The Foundation has a few things in the works that they will announce as soon as they are completed.”
The foundation dedicated to Gabby Petito officially launched Monday.
Christopher Laundrie, the father of Brian Laundrie, visited the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in Florida Thursday to assist law enforcement in searching for his fugitive son.
Laundrie spent about three and a half hours with police at the park before leaving. Brian, 23, remains a person of interest in the homicide of Gabby Petito. He is also alleged to have committed debit card fraud.
Christopher Laundrie, 62, and Roberta Laundrie, 55, live in North Port, Florida, according to public records. The couple have two children: Cassandra "Cassie" Laundrie, 32, and Brian.
Former assistant FBI director Chris Swecker joined Fox News to discuss the search for Brian Laundrie.
"I know the FBI is is pulling out all the stops. They're in a full court press here trying to find him," Swecker said. "And they will find him. With the help of the U.S. Marshals and a nationwide dragnet, an international dragnet. I have every confidence they're going to find him."
Swecker also touched on the homicide investigation, saying he would like to know more about it amid mostly silence from the FBI on its progress.
He also expressed skepticism of reports of a campsite that was found in a swampy Florida reserve Laundrie was reportedly hiking in before his disappearance, saying the terrain and conditions in the swamp were too difficult to manage for more than a few days.
Laundrie family lawyer Steven Bertolino released a statement about Brian Laundrie's father, Chris Laundrie, assisting police in the search effort.
"Today Chris Laundrie accompanied members of law enforcement into the Reserve to show them the trails and places Chris and Brian have hiked and which Brian was known to frequent," Bertolino said. "There were no discoveries but the effort was helpful to all. It seems the water in the Preserve is receding and certain areas are more accessible to search."
"The entire Laundrie family is grateful for the hard work of the dedicated members of law enforcement that have been searching the Preserve for Brian over the last few weeks," he continued. "Hopefully Brian will be located soon."
(Fox News/Audrey Conklin)
Christopher Laundrie has left the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park after arriving earlier today to meet with law enforcement there.
He spent around three and and half hours inside the park.
Steve Bertolino, the attorney representing the Laundrie family, tells Fox News' Michael Ruiz "maybe" when asked about whether law enforcement will find Brian today.
The current scene outside the Laundrie's home in North Port, Fla. (Fox News/Stephanie Pagones)
Brian Laundrie's mother, Roberta, remains ensconced inside her North Port home as the nation watches her husband, Brian's father Christopher, join law enforcement at Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park.
The Laundrie family's attorney, Steven Bertolino, told Fox News Digital's Audrey Conklin that law enforcement asked Christopher Laundrie "to point out any favorite trails or spots that Brian may have used in the preserve."
Bertolino says his clients "have been cooperating since the search began."
Christopher Laundrie is seen entering the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park on Thursday. (Fox News)
The Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park, the city of North Port says, is “situated on 160 acres of heavily wooded land” and is adjacent to the T. Mabry Carlton Jr. Reserve.
As of Sept. 23, the park has been “closed to the public until further notice” amid the ongoing search for Brian Laundrie, the city adds.
“Within the park is 3.7 miles of trails available for hiking, bike riding, and horseback riding,” according to its website. “Primitive camping is also allowed at this park with a permit.”
The area can be treacherous in some parts, with waist-high water and wildlife ranging from alligators to wild boars.
The Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park. (Fox News/Michael Ruiz)
Local residents tell Fox News Digital it's quite possible Brian Laundrie could survive inside the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park.
They say there is fresh water available at the park's public restrooms. The area also has a homeless population and there are apparently groups who leave food and supplies for them.
There is speculation Brian would be able to access these supplies without being seen.
Steve Bertolino, the attorney representing the Laundrie family, tells Fox News on Thursday that “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,” Bertolino added. “The preserve has been closed to the public and the Laundries as well but the parents have been cooperating since the search began.”
(Fox News)
Christopher Laundrie and law enforcement personnel have entered the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park.
Christopher Laundrie is shown here after arriving. (Fox News/Audrey Conklin)
Brian Laundrie's father, Christopher, has arrived Thursday at a locked gate at Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park.
He arrived in his Dodge Ram pickup truck alone, before entering the park, according to Fox News digital reporter Audrey Conklin.
The park is adjacent to the T. Mabry Carlton Jr. Reserve, where law enforcement has been searching for Brian Laundrie for weeks.
There were two unmarked law enforcement vehicles on site, along with the North Port Police.
Steve Bertolino, the attorney for the Laundrie family, tells Fox News' Michael Ruiz Thursday that "I believe Brian is still in the preserve," referring to the T. Mabry Carlton Jr. Reserve in Sarasota County.
"And as such I don't think he has access to the news," Bertolino said.
When asked to describe Brian's survival skills, Bertolino merely added that "he's a backpacker."
The Laundrie home in North Port, Fla., on Thursday morning. (Fox News/Audrey Conklin)
There are no signs of movement at the Laundrie home in Florida early Thursday after their family attorney suggested "a liaison to [the] FBI" may be calling on Christopher Laundrie to help search for his fugitive son.
The scene is also quiet at the Carlton Reserve this morning.
Florida fugitive Brian Laundrie’s attorney said Wednesday that Christopher Laundrie would begin assisting authorities in the search for his son – who was last seen on Sept. 13, just days after his fiancée Gabby Petito officially became a missing person.
The FBI later uncovered Petito’s remains at a remote Wyoming campsite on Sept. 19."Chris Laundrie was asked to assist law enforcement in their search for Brian at the preserve today," Steve Bertolino, the family's attorney, told Fox News Wednesday night.
"Since the preserve has been closed to the public, Chris has not been able to look for Brian in the only place Chris and Roberta believe Brian may be."
"I want to see him in a jail cell for the rest of his life."
That was Joe Petito's message on Wednesday to Brian Laundrie if the former fiancé of his slain daughter had anything to do with her death.
Joe sat down with Dr. Phil McGraw for the second part of a wide-ranging interview that aired Wednesday, along with Gabby Petito's mother, Nichole Schmidt, and her stepparents, Tara Petito and Jim Schmidt.
They discussed their desire for Brian Laundrie to be apprehended alive, what they are planning with the Gabby Petito Foundation, and their reaction to a 911 call for a domestic incident between the couple.
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