A K9-unit dog from Pasco County Sheriff’s Office was brought in by investigators recently to help search for human remains in Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County, where it continued searching Thursday.
That is where crews have been searching for homicide victim Gabby Petito’s fiancé, Brian Laundrie, who has been missing for weeks. However, it was not confirmed if investigators were searching for remains of Brian Laundrie.
K9-unit dog Diesel from Pasco County is part of a new search at Carlton Reserve. He is certified in human remains detection, and he’s been working in the reserve for days at a time with his handler, forensic investigator Sue Miller. He’s among the few forensic integrated K9-unit dogs in the United States.
We were able to get a closer look into the search at the reserve Thursday compared to the last few weeks.
Investigators are working deeper in the woods. Trucks towing ATVs and four-wheelers were traveling through every few hours. But we’re seeing less vehicles come in and out compared to weeks past.
Crews are searching through the thick brush and miles of trails. The FBI is working in better conditions thanks to the limited rainfall in the area.
A K9 trainer we spoke to who is not associated with the search at Carlton Reserve told us near-record temperatures and the lack of rainfall is a double-edged sword. It makes it easier for detectives to see what is lying on the ground with limited flooding, but the humidity makes it harder for K9 dogs to smell, and they must take breaks more frequently.