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Partial human remains, backpack and notebook found near remains believed to be Brian Laundrie

Police have reportedly found a notebook near to the remains believed to be Brian Laundrie, in a dramatic search of Carlton reserve in Florida.

Gabby Petito: Authorities find human remains believed to be Brian Laundrie

Law enforcement have reportedly found what appears to be partial human remains in an area that was underwater, near where some belongings believed to belong to Brian Laundrie were found

A senior law enforcement official told NBC that the remains were found in Florida’s Carlton Reserve.

At a press conference held by the FBI at Carlton reserve, special agent Michael McPherson specified “a backpack and notebook” were found near the body, which authorities say may belong to Brian Laundrie.

“As you are 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,” McPherson said.

“Earlier today investigators found what appears to be human remains along with a backpack and a notebook belonging to Brian Laundrie.

“These items were found in an area up until recently been underwater.”

Items belonging to Brian Laundrie were found in Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park. Fox News
Items belonging to Brian Laundrie were found in Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park. Fox News

While there is no confirmation the remains belong to Laundrie. A medical examiner is reported to be on the scene.

McPherson said authorities will be “”on the scene for several days”.

“We are working diligently to get those answers for you,” he said.

“Complex investigations cannot be completed by one agency alone.”

Video Grab from the Moab City Police Department shows officer investigating an incident between Gabby Petito and her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie.
Video Grab from the Moab City Police Department shows officer investigating an incident between Gabby Petito and her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie.

His parents Chris and Roberta reportedly directed FBI agents and police to the location where “some articles belonging to their son were found,” according to a statement by Laundrie lawyer Steven Bertolino.

The Sun earlier reported that a white bag was found at the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park.

FoxNews video grab showing Laundrie’s parents speaking to an officer. Picture: FoxNews
FoxNews video grab showing Laundrie’s parents speaking to an officer. Picture: FoxNews

Mr Bertolino said in a statement: “Chris and Roberta Laundrie went to the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park this morning to search for Brian.

“The FBI and NPPD were informed last night of Brian’s parents’ intentions and they met Chris and Roberta there this morning after a brief search off a trail that Brian frequented some articles belonging to Brian were found.

“As of now law enforcement is conducting a more thorough investigation of that area,” he said.

Brian Laundrie search.
Brian Laundrie search.

Laundrie and Petito, who met in New York before moving to Florida two years ago, were around two months into their planned four-month cross-country road trip touring the US’ national parks before Petito vanished sometime around August 27.

Laundrie quietly returned home to Florida alone on September 1, failing to alert police or Petito’s family that she was missing.

He reportedly acted “without a care in the world” upon his return, neighbours said, mowing the front yard and enjoying idyllic bike rides with his mum.

Supplied
Supplied

Petito was eventually reported missing by her mother in New York on September 11. That came after 10 days of allegedly being stonewalled by Laundrie and his parents about where her daughter was, she said.

Then, on September 14, Laundrie allegedly vanished after telling his parents he was going hiking at Carlton Reserve.

A cadaver dog also has been deployed to the scene on Wednesday. Picture: WFTS
A cadaver dog also has been deployed to the scene on Wednesday. Picture: WFTS

But they didn’t report Laundrie missing until three days later.

A month long search for Laundrie has so far yielded no leads beyond speculation and a handful of potential sightings.

Laundrie is not currently considered a suspect in Petito’s murder but is considered a person of interest.

He does, however, have a warrant out for his arrest on bank fraud allegations after allegedly racking up $1000 in charges on a debit card that’s believed to have belonged to Petito.

Last week, autopsy results revealed that Gabby Petito was strangled up to four weeks before her body was found.

The manner of her death was ruled a homicide, but the autopsy report has revealed information on her cause of death.

The discovery was made one day after the park had reopened to the public. Picture: WFTS
The discovery was made one day after the park had reopened to the public. Picture: WFTS

Teton County Coroner Dr Brent Blue confirmed that Petito died by strangulation during a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.

He added that Petito’s predicted death was three to four weeks before her body was found. The body was outside “in the wilderness” for this time.

The doctor also confirmed that Petito was not pregnant at the time of her death and that a toxicology report was unable to be released at this time.

Video Grab from the Moab City Police Department shows officer investigating an incident between Gabby Petito and her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie.
Video Grab from the Moab City Police Department shows officer investigating an incident between Gabby Petito and her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie.

Following the autopsy, the young woman’s body was returned to the mortuary who are dealing with the family at this time, the doctor added.

Following the results of the autopsy, Mr Bertolino, released a statement saying: “Gabby Petito’s death at such a young age is a tragedy.

“While Brian Laundrie is currently charged with the unauthorised use of a debit card belonging to Gabby, Brian is only considered a person of interest in relation to Gabby Petito’s demise.

“At this time Brian is still missing and when he is located we will address the pending fraud charge against him.”

Dr Blue declined to say more about the autopsy or the case overall, saying he was prevented by Wyoming law that limits what coroners can release.

This article originally appeared in The Sun and is republished here with permission

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/brian-laundries-personal-belongings-found-lawyer-says/news-story/166c092a46436df777ac654c6734c223