Brian Laundrie Search: Authorities Increase Manpower At Carlton Reserve, 'More Police Activity' Reported As Witnesses Claim Fugitive Was Seen Running From Parents' Backyard
Authorities have increased manpower at the Carlton Reserve as witnesses have stepped forward claiming they saw Brian Laundrie running from his parents' backyard days after it was claimed he went on a solo hike and never returned.
According to News Nation Now reporter Brian Entin, "There is more police activity today than we have seen recently at Carlton Reserve." He also adds that a "large drone" is being used to assist authorities.
In an aerial video of the scene, several police cars are seen parked on the side of a dirt road along with black SUVs and one white van.
Officers in uniform are seen wandering into the brush, only to disappear in seconds.
The added police presence comes on the heels of witnesses stepping forward with claims they saw Brian running from Christopher and Roberta Laundrie's backyard on September 17, the day they reported him missing.
At the time, his parents claimed he went hiking in the Carlton Reserve on September 14 and was never heard from again. That story has since changed.
On Tuesday, the Laundrie family attorney claimed his parents got the date wrong. The last time they allegedly saw their son was September 13, not 14.
- Neighbors Say Brian Laundrie Was Seen Running Out Of His Backyard Days After His Parents Claim He Disappeared
- Sarasota Police Shoot Down Reports Brian Laundrie Is In Their Custody Despite Rumors And Possible Sightings Of Fugitive In The Area
- Brian Laundrie Manhunt: Cops Find 'Fresh Campsite' At Carlton Reserve As Dad Christopher Agrees To Assist In Search Efforts For Fugitive Son
"The Laundries were basing the date Brian left on their recollection of certain events," Steve Bertolino stated. "Upon further communication with the FBI and confirmation of the Mustang being at the Laundrie residence on Wednesday September 15, we now believe the day Brian left to hike in the preserve was Monday September 13."
But according to one of Laundrie's neighbors, several residents in their Fort Port neighborhood allegedly saw Brian running from Christopher and Roberta's backyard on September 17.
The neighbor also claimed that one of the residents caught Brian on surveillance camera.
"He [Brian] was here Friday [Sept. 17], and as soon as it got dark, everybody was so concerned with the protests," the woman said. "Instead of the cops blocking off this whole subdivision, they only focused on that one street. Well, who else is gonna be running down the street that fits his description?"
A manhunt has been underway for nearly three weeks with the FBI and Dog The Bounty Hunter on the case.
Brian allegedly disappeared 12 days after he returned home from a cross-country trip to Wyoming with fiancée Gabby Petito in her van without her.
Gabby's body was found in Wyoming on September 19. The coroner ruled her death a homicide. Authorities are working around the clock to figure out if Gabby was killed where her remains were found or if she was moved there.
