Brian Laundrie's Sister Cassie's Alarming Comments About Parents Protecting Their Kids Resurface, As Christopher & Roberta's Involvement In Gabby Petito Case Is Questioned
As the search for Brian Laundrie continues, authorities and amateur detectives alike can't help but wonder to what extent – if any – his parents may have been involved in the missing person-turned-homicide case of Gabby Petito.
Like their son before he vanished, Christopher and Roberta Laundie have remained extremely tight-lipped since Brian returned to their North Port, Florida, home on Sept. 1 following a cross-country road trip he began on July 2 with his 22-year-old fiancée but ended alone.
Speculation about whether Christopher and Roberta know what happened to Gabby on that trek has been on the rise, and a resurfaced interview their daughter gave last month isn't helping them one bit.
On Sept. 18 – one day before Gabby's remains were discovered in a Wyoming state park she and Brian visited – the fugitive's sister, Cassie Laundrie, spoke publicly about her future sister-in-law's mysterious disappearance.
When an ABC News reporter asked her how she felt about the situation given that she, too, is a parent, Cassie said she couldn't imagine what Gabby's family was feeling, adding, "That's what, obviously, the big thing is – as a parent, you wanna protect your kids."
It seems odd that a mother of young children who claimed to adore her son's future wife would reference parents protecting their kids as opposed to parents being worried, given that the question was about the victim and her loved ones.
Sill, Cassie did more with her interview than her parents have done, considering they are refusing to speak. Even their statement about their would-have-been daughter-in-law's confirmed death was shockingly brief: "May Gabby rest in peace."
Christopher and Roberta claim the last time they saw Brian was on Sept. 14, just before he allegedly left for a solo hike in the Carlton Reserve. They did not report him missing until three days later on Sept. 17.
It's since been reported that Brian – who is now officially wanted by the FBI – may have purchased a burner phone from an AT&T store in the family's town of North Port prior to his disappearance. Internet sleuths claim they've seen Roberta with one in recent pictures, leading many to wonder if she is in communication with him.
The couple's most recent statement also raised eyebrows, as it did not mention whether or not they had been in contact with Brian but did seem to suggest that they knew he was alive.
"Chris and Roberta Laundrie do not know where Brian is. They are concerned about Brian and hope the FBI can locate him," their attorney, Steven Bertolino, said Monday.
- Brian Laundrie's Sister Cassie Was Part Of Family Camping Trip, Despite Initially Claiming She Had Not Spoken To Fugitive Brother Since He Returned From Road Trip Sans-Gabby Petito
- 'Justice 4 Gabby – Tik Tok Time's Up' Banner Plane Flies Over Home Of Brian Laundrie's Parents Christopher & Roberta
- Brian Laundrie's Parents Christopher & Roberta Seen For First Time Since Gabby Petito's Death Ruled A Homicide, Refuse To Answer Questions About Missing Son
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Moreover, there are discrepancies between what Bertolino is saying about the camping trip the Laundries took after Brian returned to Florida without Gabby, and what county records show.
He revealed Friday that Cassie was actually part of her family's Fort De Soto Park stay – which Pinellas County records confirm took place from Sept. 6 (Labor Day) to Sept. 8 – despite her previously having said that she had not spoken to Brian since before he returned from the road trip without Gabby.
Bertolino had previously confirmed that Brian, Christopher and Roberta did camp at that site but claimed they checked out on Sept. 7, one day prior to what the record indicates.
There was no mention of Cassie being on that trip until today.
Dog The Bounty Hunter, who is now leading a manhunt for Brian, does not believe that the 23-year-old left the aforementioned campsite with his family after their stay.
Additionally, he believes the Laundrie family actually took two trips to Fort De Soto Park, with the first one being from Sept. 1 to 3.
The FBI has also stopped by the Laundries' North Port "crime scene" home – where Gabby lived with Brian for over two years – several times in recent days to collect a considerable amount of evidence.
To revisit Cassie's interview in new light, click here.
