Brian Laundrie Manhunt: Remnants Of A Campsite Found In Florida's Carlton Reserve

KEY POINTS

Brian's father was asked to join the search operation at Carlton Reserve
Officer reportedly decided to conduct the search alone after the campsite was found
North Port police refused to comment saying the FBI is the lead agency in the case

Authorities searching for Brian Laundrie in Florida's Carlton Reserve have reportedly found remnants of a campsite that appeared to have been recently used. The 24,565-acre park is currently closed to visitors.

Law enforcement agencies had asked Brian's father to join the search operation at Carlton Reserve and show them the trails that his son had used. However, they decided to conduct the search alone following the discovery, reported CNN quoting a source close to the family.

North Port Police refused to comment on it saying the FBI is the lead agency in the case and that the department would not take such decisions. "The FBI would have to answer if that was true," Josh Taylor, a spokesperson for the police department, told CNN.

The Laundrie family's attorney on Wednesday said Brian's father, Christopher, would be assisting authorities in the search for his son.

"Chris Laundrie was asked to assist law enforcement in their search for Brian at the preserve today," said Steve Bertolino. "Since the reserve has been closed to the public, Chris has not been able to look for Brian in the only place Chris and Roberta believe Brian may be."

Brian, who is missing since Sept. 13, is a person of interest in the death of YouTuber Gabby Petito. The couple was on a cross-country trip when she went missing.

Petito reportedly told a police officer on Aug. 12 that her boyfriend didn't believe in her dream of becoming a blogger. She managed to upload an eight-minute video when she was alone for nearly a week in Salt Lake City after Brian flew home to Florida, reported FOX News.

The video, titled "VAN LIFE | Beginning Our Van Life Journey," appeared on her YouTube channel Nomadic Statik on Aug. 19, two days after Brian traveled to Florida.

Bertolino clarified that Brian had to travel back to Florida without Peitio because he wanted to obtain some items and "close a storage unit to save money."

Petito's inaugural blog video has received more than five million views so far. She also documented her journey on her Instagram account and was in the process of creating her own website before her death.