FBI tows vehicle from Laundrie home
A silver Ford Mustang was towed away from the Laundrie home in Florida around 2:30 p.m. EST, according to our news partners at WFTS in Tampa.
The FBI office in Tampa has refused to disclose any further details, as the investigation is ongoing.
FBI search of Laundrie home may last hours
Chris and Roberta Laundrie -- who were removed earlier from their home in North Port by FBI agents -- are now back inside their property, according to a report by Fox News.
The couple previously were placed in an unmarked van outside of the home for at least an hour.
Dan Reimer, a professional investigator in South Florida, tells Fox News that the FBI may have put the couple in a van alone together "because there is no expectation of privacy in a law enforcement officer vehicle.
"So if they are talking to each other it is either being listened to and/or being recorded," he added.
Additionally, North Port police officers have dropped off evidence collection boxes and a cooler full of drinks and snacks for the FBI agents inside, according to Fox News.
Police and FBI agents swarm Laundrie home in Florida
Several FBI agents and police officers swarmed the North Port, Florida home of Brian Laundrie on Monday morning.
Fox News reports that FBI agents are at the Laundrie residence. They announced a search warrant before taking the parents out and placing them inside a van outside their home.
FBI agents are setting up tables inside the home to collect evidence, according to a report from Fox News.
#UPDATE: The #FBI is executing a court-authorized search warrant today at the Laundrie residence in North Port, FL relevant to the Gabrielle “Gabby” Petito investigation. No further details can be provided since this is an active and ongoing investigation. @FBIDenver pic.twitter.com/uxrtVNIZ4u
— FBI Tampa (@FBITampa) September 20, 2021
The Tampa office of the FBI tweeted Monday that it was a court-authorized search warrant being executed.
Brian Laundrie is still considered a missing person and his whereabouts are unknown.
Steven Bertolino, the attorney for Gabby Petito’s fiancé, Brian Laundrie, tells Fox News Monday that he has "no comment" regarding the current situation unfolding at the Laundrie home.
Florida police call off search in nature reserve
The North Port Police Department told Fox News on Monday that it "currently has no plans to conduct a major search of the Carlton Reserve today" -- the place in Florida where authorities had been looking for Brian Laundrie over the weekend.
Laundrie is a person of interest in the Gabby Petito investigation. On Sunday, authorities found a body in Wyoming that is believed to be Petito's.
"At this time, we currently believe we have exhausted all avenues in searching of the grounds there," North Port Police Public Information Officer Josh Taylor said. "Law enforcement agencies continue to search for Brian Laundrie."
Retired FBI agent weighs in on Petito, Laundrie investigation
The North Port Police Department announced on Twitter Sunday that a team of more than 50 people searched the Florida nature reserve for any clues about Laundrie's location.
Police said Laundrie’s parents directed them to the Carlton Reserve, after saying he visited the location. Sunday’s search ended and police posted that there was nothing new to report.
The search for Laundrie is expected to intensify Monday after authorities in Wyoming announced the discovery of a body that appeared to be Petito.
Body found outside Grand Teton NP consistent with description of Petito
An autopsy will be performed to make a 100% determination. Her father took to Twitter shortly after the discovery and posted a broken heart emoji, and wrote, “She touched the world. The post was accompanied by a picture of his daughter smiling and in front of oversized angel wings. The North Port Police said it will continue to work with its partners in its search for “more answers.”
💔#GABBYPETITO she touched the world. pic.twitter.com/DukH7UCTPo
— joseph petito (@josephpetito) September 19, 2021
"I am making a personal request to members of the press and news media to refrain from contacting the Schmidt and Petito family," lawyer Richard Benson Stafford said in a statement Sunday.
Due to today's developments, we are asking the press and news media to have some decorum and sensitivity for Gabby's family and allow them to grieve. I will be in contact with you when Gabby's family is ready to make a public statement.
I would also like to personally thank the FBI, the Suffolk County Police Department, the North Port Police Department and especially the Grant Teton Search and Rescue team," the statement continued. "Your tireless work and determination helped bring Gabby home to her parents. The family and I will be forever grateful."
