Gabby Petito case: FBI concludes search of Laundrie house

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The FBI serving a search warrant at the home of Brian Laundrie and his parents in North Port. Credit: WINK News

The FBI searched the North Port home of Brian Laundrie and his parents Monday.

The FBI confirmed it executed a court-authorized search warrant relevant to the Gabrielle “Gabby” Petito investigation. In a press release, the Bureau “continues to ask for the public’s assistance in sharing information they may have about this case through the tip lines: 1-800-CALL FBI or tips.fbi.gov. Photos or videos may be submitted to fbi.gov/petito. No further details can be provided since this is an active and ongoing investigation.”

Attorney Steve Bertolino, who represents Brian Laundrie, confirmed with WINK News Monday night a press conference scheduled for Tuesday was canceled after his conversation with the FBI.

According to another search warrant issued Sept. 15, for an external hard drive found in the van, during the couple’s trip, there were multiple text messages between Gabby and her mother, Nicole Schmidt. During these text conversations, there appeared to be building tension between Gabby and Laundrie.

Aug. 27, Schmidt received an odd text message from Gabby’s phone that said, “Can you help Stan; I just keep getting his voicemails and missed calls.” The reference to Stan was regarding Gabby’s grandfather. Schmidt said that was concerning because Gabby never refers to him by his first name.

When investigators responded to Laundrie’s home, his parents told them Gabby was not there and would not let their son speak to law enforcement and directed officers to their attorney.

The warrant also confirmed, Gabby’s cell phone was turned off for about 15 days, and there have not been any sightings of her since Aug. 27.

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