Brian Laundrie search: Ex-Navy SEALs, Marines, K-9 teams join Dog the Bounty Hunter
Dog the Bounty Hunter’s search efforts for Brian Laundrie have intensified as he has been joined by former Navy SEALs, Marines, and a K9 unit. Laundrie has been missing since September 14 — five days before his girlfriend Gabby Petito’s remains were discovered inside a national park in Wyoming on September 19.
The television personality, whose real name is Duane Chapman, said on Thursday, September 30 that he is satisfied with the progress in his effort and believes to find Brian soon. Chapman and his team have hunted down an island called Egmont Key, which is off the coast of St Petersburg, Florida. He said: “We got a bunch of volunteers. Most of them are former law enforcement, former Navy SEALs, and Marines. So, we're on the hunt, I feel real good about it.”
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The search operation is also across the islands near Fort De Soto Park, where Brian and his family went camping after he returned alone to his North Port, Florida home on September 1 from the cross-country trip with Gabby. On Wednesday, September 29, he revealed that he found a campsite, as well as a fresh Monster Energy Ultra Gold can at the site. The can was not rusted or faded, giving a hint that it was recently thrown. But it has not been concluded yet if the can was linked to Brian and his family.
About his K-9 unit, Chapman said they had a “little bit of action” in a region. “These dogs are trained to track the scent, the adrenaline of a human, not like a sock and find the guy, so these dogs are incredible,” he continued, before adding that dogs only took five minutes to comb through an area. Besides, a spokesperson for Chapman said in a statement: “Dog does not care who brings him in, just that he is apprehended.”
The 68-year-old former bail bondsman joined the nationwide manhunt for Brian earlier this week. He claimed to have received thousands of tips and also added that someone told him that the fugitive was likely in the park. While his claim has been refuted by the Laundrie family’s lawyer, campers at Fort De Soto believed that Brian may still be near the area. Amanda Smith, who has been staying at the campsite since Sunday, September 26, said: “It's scary but realistic. We actually were just looking at some of the mangroves out there and it's very thick. You'd have to be skilled, which apparently he is, in the outdoors but you could for sure hide in them, and this is a good location in terms of being close to things but also being able to kind of get away at the same time.”
Chapman’s Instagram page is full of posts related to Brian’s search. He has even said, “It doesn’t matter who catches him. We just want to do everything we can to help bring Brian in safely.” Several people have shown their support to him as a user commented, “If anyone can do it. It's you.” Another one wrote, “Beth is up there with Gabby telling her ‘daddy’s got this’ I hope she can give you signs to help find him.” “Go get him dog your the best bounty hunter In the whole world your the best,” a comment added.