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Is Brian Laundrie a serial killer? Bizarre theory erupts after discovery of bodies

Authorities discovered human remains with Laundrie's personal belongings in Florida's Carlton Reserve

Internet sleuths are wondering whether Brian Laundrie is a serial killer, with some noting how several bodies were discovered during the massive manhunt for the missing fugitive. Experts have previously labeled Laundrie a narcissist — known to be a common trait in serial killers — while reality TV star Duane "Dog the Bounty Hunter" Chapman claimed the "dark" novels read by the 23-year-old could have groomed him into a killer.

The Florida native has been missing for over a month after returning alone from a cross-country trip on which he embarked with his girlfriend, Gabby Petito, in July. However, on Wednesday, October 20, authorities discovered human remains with Laundrie's personal belongings in Florida's Carlton Reserve in an area that had earlier been swamped. “Earlier today, investigators found what appears to be human remains along with personal items, such as a backpack and notebook, belonging to Brian Laundrie," said Michael McPherson, special agent in charge of the FBI's Tampa office. "These items were found in an area that up until recently had been underwater," he added.

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It's worth noting that at least five bodies were discovered during the manhunt for Laundrie, the sole person of interest in Petito's homicide. The deceased were identified as Sara Bayard, Lauren Cho, Robert Lowery, Josue Calderon and another unidentified male found in Alabama. Considering, online sleuths came up with several theories alleging Laundrie could very well be a serial killer if the remains discovered in Florida are proved to be someone else's.

"Would it be safe to say, if the remains do not belong to Brian Laundrie, yet some of his items were found next to the remains, then we potentially have a serial killer out there?" one tweeted  "Maybe the remains belong to a victim of #BrianLaundrie? It would be awful if he was a serial killer. Sounds wild I know but can’t help but wonder," another added.

"I'm pretty sure Brian is a serial killer... At least 4 other bodies were found during the nearly 2-month search for Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie," a comment read. "#BrianLaundrie Since Brian is potentially a serial killer, he might have all sorts of body parts handy. Maybe what they found is his dumping ground," a user wrote.

"My theory: Some maybe not all of the bodies found during the Manhunt for Brian Laundrie are related. My theory is during #GabbyPetito and (BL) road trip, (BL) was committing murders as an organized Serial killer. (GP) wanted to walk away.. (BL) said no. #GabbyPetitoCase," another proposed.

Investigators spent weeks scouring the Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County, the 24,000-acre park where Laundrie was said to have headed before vanishing on September 13. Dog the Bounty Hunter, who called off his search efforts for the fugitive after the remains were discovered, previously speculated that Laundrie might have been a serial killer due to his apparent obsession with the "dark side" and a "demonic past". He was referring to a series of violent and dark novels Laundrie had been reading during his cross-country road trip with Petito.

"I’m thinking more and more about him being maybe a serial killer, not just a killer of Gabby. The books he read are unbelievable," he told The Sun, before recalling how he would get "mad" at his kids for reading 'Dungeon and Dragons' stories. “A couple of the books that he's been reading are 10 times worse than Dungeon and Dragons. This kid, Brian has taken those books, obviously to heart," the TV bail bondsman claimed.

“And this is what happens when your kid is looking at those kinds of things. He just overnight didn't become a killer. A killer is made, and he is built to be or she, a killer. He built himself to be that by looking at that kind of, let's say the dark side stuff. There are pictures of demons all over it," Dog added.