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'Give them some time to grieve': Outpouring of sympathy for Brian Laundrie's parents

Ex-prosecutor Neama Rahmani has said that if the remains are confirmed to be that of Brian Laundrie, his parents will likely be cleared

After Brian Laundrie’s alleged remains were found, some people have sympathized with his parents. While the official identification is yet to be done, an ex-federal prosecutor, Neama Rahmani, has said that if the remains are confirmed to be of the 23-year-old, his parents — Chris and Roberta Laundrie — will likely be cleared.

On Wednesday, October 20, the human remains were discovered with the help of Brian’s parents in Florida's Carlton Reserve in an area that had earlier been submerged. Michael McPherson, special agent in charge of the FBI's Tampa office, confirmed: “Earlier today investigators found what appears to be human remains along with personal items, such as a backpack and notebook, belonging to Brian Laundrie. These items were found in an area that up until recently had been under water.”

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A source, who has information about the investigation, stated that the alleged remains “appear to have been there a while,” before adding, “based on the condition of the remains, it may take some time to officially identify. It is going to be a very thorough process with the medical examiner.”

Brian has been missing for more than a month after he returned alone to his North Port home on September 1 after leaving for a cross-country trip with his girlfriend Gabby Petito at the beginning of July. But the latest discovery has shocked many, especially because of the fact that the manhunt for the young man was going on for weeks, but authorities could not find anything crucial. However, soon after his parents joined investigators, they found the apparent remains as well as his personal belongings from the same location.

While many have accused the Laundries of helping their son in escaping and staging the crime scene, some sympathized with them. One such supporter tweeted, “People need to stop hanging out at #BrianLaundrie parents house and give them some time to grieve. We all disagree with how they handled things but harassing people who have just lost a son isn't helping anyone.” Another one wrote, “I have mixed feelings about Brian Laundrie’s parents. I think they knew more than they let on about what happened to Gabby, but at the same time their son, as evil as he was, is probably dead now too and they should be allowed to grieve in peace.”

A user shared, “Eating humble pie for dinner tonight. My condolences to the Laundrie's for their loss. I still don't understand everything that has and is taking place, but as a parent, I know I would never want to be in their shoes. A little empathy goes a long way. #BrianLaundrie.” Another one added: “If our hearts didn’t hurt for another parents‘ loss, we would be the same as the #LaundrieParents. #brianlaundrie.”

Rahmani also spoke in favor of Brian’s parents and said, “The fact they may have led investigators to their son's possessions and possibly his remains - that all undercuts the argument that they were aiding and abetting his escape,” before stating, “That leads me to believe they’ve been cooperative and not the other way around.”

Rahmani, who is the president of West Coast Trial Lawyers, also mentioned that he believes the remains discovered near a bridge that joins the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park and Carlton Reserve are of Brian “unless he was trying to plant evidence next to someone else’s remains to throw law enforcement off his tracks.”

The former prosecutor, who thinks Brian was involved in Gabby’s death, went on to say that “all signs point to Brian Laundrie,” and added: “I’m sure Gabby Petito's family wants some sort of closure, but if Brian Laundrie is dead, this is as good as it’s going to get.”