Credit: North Port Police Department via Facebook
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LONG ISLAND, N.Y. (77WABC) — The North Port Police Department in Florida is considering the fiancé of a Long Island woman a person of interest in the recent disappearance of the woman.
22-year-old Gabby Petito has not been seen in weeks after she traveled cross country in a white Ford Transit van with her fiancé Brian Laundrie, who returned from the trip without her. Police have been trying to question Laundrie but he is reportedly not cooperating, with he and his family hiring a lawyer.
Latest on Petito case Wednesday September 15, 11:30am. Please use 1-800 CALLFBI pic.twitter.com/NpkUEjoME5
— North Port Police (@NorthPortPolice) September 15, 2021
“As a father, I can imagine the pain and suffering Gabby’s family is going through,” North Port Police Chief Todd Garrison said in a statement. “We are pleading with anyone, including Brian, to share information with us on her whereabouts in the past weeks. The lack of information from Brian is hindering this investigation.”
Police are saying they will consider Laundrie a person of interest in her disappearance until he decides to tell his story. Richard Stafford, the lawyer for Petito’s family, put out a statement Wednesday expressing the families frustration:
“Everyday the search for Gabby continues the Schmidt and Petito family becomes more desperate. They are frantically searching for answers and information in their daughter’s disappearance while Brian sits in the comfort of his home. Brian claims he wants to sit in the background while we search for Gabby in the wilderness of the Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. Brian left Gabby in the wilderness with grizzly bears and wolves while he sits in the comfort of his home. In his home! Brian, how could you do this to Gabby? You selfishly remain silent while Gabby is all alone in the wilderness. Brian, your silence is reprehensible! We beg you to do the right thing and help us bring Gabby home. Brian, whatever happened in Wyoming, happened. The only thing you can control is what you do now. Tell us where Gabby is. You tarnish your love for her with your silence.”
