Brian Laundrie Update: Parents Want Notebook Found Near Skeletal Remains From FBI

Brian Laundrie’s parents have asked the FBI to hand over a notebook that was found near their son’s skeletal remains, their attorney told the media Tuesday.

There have been several speculations in the past the notebook could likely hold clues about the death of Laundrie’s girlfriend Gabby Petito.

Chris and Roberta Laundrie are trying to recover the notebook as part of a formal proceeding to administer their late son’s estate, the family's lawyer Steven Bertolino told The Independent. The lawyer also said he was working “cordially” with Rick Stafford, an attorney representing Petito’s parents, to have her belongings returned.

Brian, 23, was reported missing after the authorities found Petito's remains at a national forest in Wyoming. Petito's death was ruled a homicide by manual strangulation, and Brian was determined to be a person of interest in her disappearance.

On Oct. 20, Brian's remains were found in Florida’s Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park. His death was later ruled to be suicide by gunshot wound to the head. Bertolino said the gun used was taken from his parents’ home. Neither Bertolino nor the Laundrie family previously mentioned a firearm missing from their home to the FBI.

The notebook was found submerged underwater for weeks in a dry bag near his remains. At the time North Port Police said the notebook had sustained water damage, but may be “salvageable.” It was handed over to the FBI, who have been working to inspect the pages for legible handwriting or imprints for the past two and a half months.

Authorities have not yet confirmed anything about the contents of the notebook.

“The Laundries filed a formal administration proceeding to administer Brian’s Estate," Bertolino told the media. “Nicole Schmidt filed to obtain Gabby’s belongings that are in the Laundrie home or in police custody. Rick Stafford and I are trying to work this out cordially.”

In December, Chris and Roberta filed a petition in Sarasota County, Florida, to gain access to the estate of their son. Bertolino said at the time the step was taken as Brian did not have a will. Neama Rahmani, a former prosecutor who is not associated with the case, told the media outlets a petition for summary administration is necessary when assets are less than $75,000.