THE manhunt for Brian Laundrie entered its fifth day on Thursday with drones, heavy machinery, and other high-tech equipment brought in to the Carlton Reserve.

Gabby Petito's fiance was reported missing by his parents last Friday. They told cops they had not seen their son since the previous Tuesday.

Since then authorities have been searching the swampy Florida reserve near the Laundrie family home in North Port.

They have been using drones and all-terrain swamp buggies to help in the hunt.

Specialist dog units, infrared cameras, divers and agents from the FBI are also helping.

And thermal imaging is being used in the overnight hunt.

UNDERWATER TEAM

On Wednesday, an underwater recovery team was summoned to Carlton Reserve as part of the search.

More search equipment – including an aquatic vehicle – arrived on the scene on Thursday morning, pictures show.

North Port Police spokesman Josh Taylor called the Carlton Reserve "a vast and unforgiving" terrain, adding: "It is currently waist-deep in water in many areas."

He added: "his is dangerous work for the search crews as they are wading through gator and snake-infested swamps and flooded hiking and biking trails."

Read our Gabby Petito live blog for the very latest news and updates…

Brian's parents told cops they had recovered his Mustang from the Carlton Reserve. That car was taken away by cops before arriving back at the Laundrie family home on Thursday.

Neighbors said they saw Brian's parents leave the home with a van the day Gabby was reported missing.

William and Charlene Guthrie said that about a week after Brian returned to Florida on September 1, the Laundries packed up an attached camper to their pickup truck and left for what they assumed was a long-weekend camping trip.

SUICIDE 'VERY LIKELY'

Dog the Bounty Hunter has said investigators should start with family and friends before looking into his connection to the Florida reserve police are currently searching.

He said Laudrie "isn't an experienced runner or criminal" and it's possible "he's right there in his hometown."

But he added: "Suicide is a very likely possibility."

Gabby and Brian left in July on a journey that took them to national parks out West.

Investigators said Laundrie had returned in the van to his parents’ home in North Port, Florida, on September 1 without Gabby.

PERSON OF INTEREST

Gabby's mother said she pleaded with Laundrie for answers about where her daughter was but received no reply. She then reported Gabby missing to the police on September 11.

They’ve identified him as a person of interest in the case.

Gabby's body was found at a Wyoming national park on Sunday. An initial autopsy found her cause of death to be homicide.

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