After announcing earlier this week that he planned to join the manhunt for Brian Laundrie, it seems Dog the Bounty Hunter has already made some progress. The TV personality says he received a tip on Monday about the campsite Laundrie visited with his parents before he disappeared and headed over to Fort De Soto Park near St. Petersburg, about 75 miles north of the Laundrie family’s home in North Port. According to Dog the Bounty Hunter, real name Duane Chapman, the Laundries visited the site twice in early September and the last time they went, they came back without Brian.
- Chapman says he saw footage of Brian and his parents arrive at the site. Chapman told Fox News that the Laundries went to the campsite from September 1-3 and then again from September 6-8. “They were registered, went through the gate. They’re on camera. They were here,” Chapman said. “We think at least if he’s not here right now, we are sure he was caught on camera as he went in the gate — that he was here for sure. Not over in the swamp.”
- The second time the Laundries visited, they left without Brian. While authorities have been searching Carlton Reserve, a 25,000-acre site about 13 miles from the Laundrie home, Chapman says they’re in the wrong place entirely and that Fort de Soto Park is the place. “Allegedly, what we’re hearing, is two people left on the 8th,’ said Chapman. “Three people came in on the 6th, and two people left on the 8th. I think he’s been here for sure.”
- The Laundrie family lawyer insists that Brian’s parents don’t know where he is. Many have suggested that it’s very convenient that Brian has now gone missing after he was wanted by police. They say Brian’s parents had plenty of time to help him make a getaway, but Steven Bertolino says that’s not hte case. “They are concerned about Brian and hope the FBI can locate him,” the attorney said. “The speculation by the public and some in the press that the parents assisted Brian in leaving the family home or in avoiding arrest on a warrant that was issued after Brian had already been missing for several days is just wrong.”
- Brian Laundrie will eventually be found. Whether or not he’s going to take his own life to escape justice for Gabby Petito’s murder is another issue altogether, but here’s hoping he’s located alive and well so he can be brought in for questioning and face justice.
