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Has Brian Laundrie hurt himself? Family's Mustang recovered from Carlton Reserve

The police confirmed that his family picked up their Ford Mustang from the reserve and it was at the Laundrie house Friday night when police arrived

There is a possibility that potentially deceased travel vlogger Gabby Petito's boyfriend Brian Laundrie has hurt himself in a sprawling Florida wildlife after he disappeared on Tuesday, September 14, telling his family he was going for a hike. 

Laundrie's disappearance has sparked a massive manhunt in the nearly 25,000-acre Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County as he was a person of interest in Petito's case. Petito was reported missing after Laundrie returned to his North Port home in Florida on September 1, in the same van he and Petito had embarked on their journey in, back in July this year. The last time Petito's mom Nichole Schmidt heard from her was on August 26, where she claimed there was poor network at a national park in Yosemite via a text message. Immediately after Laundrie returned, he hired an attorney and refused to speak to authorities. Authorities have since discovered human remains that match Petito's description at a Wyoming park. 

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Brian Laundrie having hurt himself is a 'possibility'

Meanwhile, Laundrie is still missing with the FBI and about 50 law enforcement personnel launching a frantic search. “As far as hurting himself in there, we don’t know that one way or another. I think it’s a possibility certainly,” North Port Police spokesman Josh Taylor said. “Does anyone not think it’s possible he went out there and shot himself in the head? Sure, We don’t have any information about where he’s at.”

After suspending a search on Saturday, September 18, due to inclement weather, authorities were back in North Port searching for Laundrie. They confirmed that his family picked up their Ford Mustang from the reserve and it was at the Laundrie house Friday night when police arrived.

Police say they continue to corroborate all information they are given by tipsters. There were also rumors of a body found yesterday but the findings were not accurate, North Port Police said.

Gabby Petito's body discovered

Over the weekend, the attorney for the Petito family issued a statement saying, “All of Gabby’s family wants the world to know that Brian is not missing, he is hiding. Gabby is missing.”

Petito’s body was found Sunday in a remote area of Bridger-Teton National Forest, near where she was last known to have been. The FBI has cautioned that they have not yet 100% confirmed the identity of the body through DNA testing and that the investigation was still ongoing. The cause of Petito's death is yet to be determined. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday, September 21.

Meanwhile, both the police as well as the FBI have extended their condolences to Petito's family. "Saddened and heartbroken to learn that Gabby has been found deceased. Our focus from the start, along with the FBI, and national partners, has been to bring her home. We will continue to work with the FBI in the search for more answers," the North Port police said. The FBI stated, "The FBI and our partners extend our heartfelt condolences to Gabby's family and loved ones. This is an incredibly difficult time for them, and our thoughts are with them as they mourn the loss of their daughter."