At a press conference, Tampa FBI Chief Michael McPherson indicated that identifying the bodies, which forensic specialists are analysing, will take time. They were discovered beside a backpack and a notepad related to Laundrie, according to McPherson.
“We’re working hard to find those answers for you,” McPherson said, adding that the artefacts and remains were discovered in a swampy location that had previously been underwater and was home to alligators, snakes, coyotes, and other wildlife. “The team will most likely be on location for several days.”
Chris and Roberta Laundrie, Laundrie’s parents, joined the FBI and police from North Port, Florida, in the hunt on Wednesday, more than a month after Laundrie went missing after visiting the enormous Carlton Reserve park.
In a text message to The Associated Press, Laundrie family attorney Steven Bertolino said, “After a quick search off a trail that Brian frequented, certain articles belonging to Brian were found.” “Right now, law enforcement is undertaking a more comprehensive examination into that region.”
Human remains found fit Gabby Petito’s description, but need to be confirmed 100%, says FBI
The Sarasota County Medical Examiner’s Office said that it had been summoned to the reserve, but declined to provide any other information.
Petito, 23, was reported missing by her parents on September 11 when the pair was on a cross-country journey in the western United States. Laundrie, 23, is a person of interest in her murder.
The storey sparked widespread interest, but it also raised unpleasant questions about the lack of attention paid to the hundreds of missing or killed Native American and other minority women around the country. Petito is a white person.
Petito’s body was discovered on the outskirts of Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park, which the couple had visited, on September 19. She died of strangulation, according to the coroner, and her body had been discovered for three or four weeks.
Police in Moab, Utah, detained the couple on August 12 after a physical argument, but no charges were brought.
In the Ford van that the couple had used on their trip, Laundrie came home alone on September 1st. He went missing after telling his parents on September 14 that he was going for a hike in the Carlton Reserve, a Sarasota County nature park that has been a focal point in the hunt for weeks.
On Wednesday, the attention was on the neighbouring Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park, where television news reports showed a tent erected up inside the woods and multiple law police cars coming. The area is where Laundrie’s Ford Mustang was discovered after he drove into the wilderness.
Laundrie is accused with unauthorised use of a debit card in a federal Wyoming indictment, which might lead to his detention if he is discovered alive.
It claims Laundrie made $1000 in unauthorised withdrawals or charges using a Capital One Bank card and someone’s personal identification information. It doesn’t specify who owned the card or what kind of charges were made.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings