ORLANDO, Fla. — The whereabouts of the still-missing Brian Laundrie’s movements upon his return to Florida without Gabby Petito continue to be dissected as well as statements made by his sister during the September search that ultimately led to finding Petito’s body.
Attorney Steve Bertolino, the lawyer that represents the Laundrie family, stated that sister Cassie Laundrie saw her brother Brian twice after his return to his parents’ North Port, Florida, home on Sept. 1, according to a report on WFLA, an NBC affiliate serving Tampa Bay.
Brian and Petito had left on a cross-country trip in July, but a search for Petito began after a missing person report was filed on Sept. 11 by her family.
“Cassie saw her brother Brian on September 1 when he stopped by her home and again on September 6 at Fort De Soto Park,” Bertolino told the TV station in a text message. “Law enforcement agencies are well aware of these dates.”
While the Laundrie parents have not communicated with the public except through statements from their attorney, Cassie spoke out on Sept. 17 during an interview with "Good Morning America," saying, “I haven’t been able to talk to him. I wish I could talk to him; I’ve cooperated in every way that I can. I wish I had information or I would give more.”
Bertolino addressed the timeline difference, saying it was a case of misinterpretation.
“Any prior communication by Cassie that does not reflect these dates is simply a difference of relating an answer to a question misinterpreted by Cassie or poorly posed by the inquirer,” Bertolino told WFLA.
Bertolino had previously confirmed that Brian and his parents had gone to the park starting Sept. 6, but did not mention Cassie’s presence initially.
Law enforcement continue to search for Brian, who was reported missing by his parents, who said he left on Sept. 14 with a backpack, but left behind his wallet and phone, to the massive Carlton Reserve near Sarasota. Police were told three days later on Sept. 17, and a multi-day search began for Laundrie.
They stated they were worried he could have harmed himself. They maintain they do not know where he is.
Petito’s body was found in a remote camping area in Wyoming on Sept. 19. A coroner later ruled her death a homicide.
While not charged in Petito’s homicide, Laundrie does have an arrest warrant issued by the FBI last week, charged with unauthorized use of a debit card, alleging he used a Capital One Bank card and someone’s personal identification number to make unauthorized withdrawals or charges worth more than $1,000 during the period in which Petito went missing. They did not say who the card belonged to.
———
