US3 min(s) read
Brian Laundrie's parents noticed gun missing after he disappeared - but detail wasn't made public
Brian Laundrie's parents noticed that one of their handguns had disappeared on the day they reported their son missing, their lawyer Steven Bertolino revealed.
On November 23, an autopsy report confirmed that the 23-year-old fugitive died by suicide - he sustained a self-inflicted fatal gunshot wound to the head.
The revelation came several weeks after dental records showed that the remains discovered at the Carlton Reserve in Florida, on October 20 belonged to Laundrie.
Now, Bertolino has told WWSB that Chris and Roberta Laundrie made the harrowing discovery that one of their firearms was no longer at their home on the same day they reported their son missing to authorities.
He told the outlet that Laundrie's parents turned in the guns they owned to police on September 17, during the investigation over the disappearance of the Laundrie's fiancée, Gabby Petito.
"Chris and Roberta Laundrie voluntarily surrendered all guns in their home to law enforcement on Sept. 17," Bertolino told WWSB. "At that time, it was discovered that one handgun was not in its case."
Bertolino said that the Laundries showed law enforcement the empty gun case. The attorney went on to say that he, as well as investigators, made the decision to keep the information about the missing gun from the public.
In his interview with WWSB, Bertolino also revealed that he had not heard from police or the FBI about whether the missing weapon had yet been found.
Although Laundrie was never charged in connection with the disappearance and death of his 22-year-old fiancée, Gabby Petito, he was the only person of interest in the case.
Petito's remains were found in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming on September 19 following a cross-country road trip she had embarked on with Laundrie.
The couple started their road trip in July, sharing pictures on social media featuring national parks and hot springs using the hashtag, "van life".
In August, a witness told police he had seen the pair engage in "some sort of altercation". He said he had seen Laundrie "slapping" Petito in an altercation that took place just weeks before the 23-year-old returned to his North Port, Florida home without her.
However, no charges were filed - instead, the pair were told to separate for the night. They later reunited and continued to share photos of their trip. Petito died later that month and Laundrie arrived solo back at his parent's home on September 1.