The FBI has confirmed that the remains found in a heavily wooded Florida park are those of Brian Laundrie, who had been the subject of a massive manhunt following his girlfriend’s death.
“On October 21, 2021, a comparison of dental records confirmed that the human remains found at the T. Mabry Carlton Jr. Memorial Reserve and Myakkahatchee Creed Environmental Park are those of Brian Laundrie,” the agency stated.
The remains were discovered about a 40-minute walk into the marshy park, where Laundrie went for a stroll after leaving his parents’ home on September 13, according to North Port police spokesman Josh Taylor.
Dr. Karl Taylor, the medical examiner overseeing the case, said that the remains discovered alongside Laundrie’s belongings early Wednesday included human bones.
After family attorney Steve Bertolino confirmed that “certain items” belonging to Brian Laundrie had been discovered at the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park early Wednesday, Laundrie’s parents were brought there.
The Laundries were informed that the remains discovered yesterday in the reserve are, in fact, Brian’s, according to Bertolino. “At this time, we have no further comment and request that you show respect for the Laundrie’s privacy,” he added.The spot where Laundrie’s body was discovered, according to the witness, has a sign that reads: “Legend says this area is haunted. Legend says if you drive through this park at night it will be your final resting place.” The witness said Laundrie parked in the Myakkahatchee Park but went into the Carlton ReserveThe Sarasota County Medical Examiner’s Office was called to the scene shortly after the discovery was announced — but the remains were not initially identified.
The Pasto County Sheriff’s Office deployed a cadaver dog and a body recovery team to the scene after seeing the body.
The park is located immediately adjacent to the Carlton Reserve, which covers 25,000 acres and has been the subject of a search for Laundrie since September 18.
“Items of interest were located at the Carlton Reserve this morning in connection with the search for Brian Laundrie,” the FBI offer tweeted out.
“An #FBI Evidence Response team is processing the scene,” the agency stated. “The reserve is closed to the public and no further details are available at this time.”
Laundry, 23, was the only person of interest in the disappearance and death of his girlfriend, 22-year-old Long Island native Gabby Petito.
In late August, just before their cross-country journey began, Petito vanished while the couple was camping in Wyoming. Her body was discovered at a remote campground in Wyoming on September 19, and her death was subsequently deemed a homicide by manual strangulation.
Authorities were searching for Laundrie, who had disappeared without explanation on September 1, after he fled his parents home,
The FBI had followed up on numerous reports that Laundrie had been seen in the northern part of the state, near the North Carolina/Tennessee border.
Laundrie has not been charged in Petito’s death, but he is named on a federal fraud warrant for allegedly using his boyfriend’s debit card during the drive home to Florida.
