THE boyfriend of missing YouTuber Gabby Petito is now a "person of interest", police have said.

Officers have also said Brian Laundrie is "hindering this investigation" by not co-operating with them.

Florida's North Port Police Department said in a statement on Wednesday: "Brian Laundrie is a person of interest in this case."

North Port Police Chief Todd Garrison added: "As a father, I can imagine the pain and suffering Gabby's family is going through.

"We are pleading with anyone, including Brian, to share information with us on her whereabouts in the past few weeks."

'ANSWERS WILL COME OUT'

Garrison added: "The lack of information from Brian is hindering this investigation. The answers will eventually come out.

"We will help find Gabby and we will help find anyone who may be involved in her disappearance."

Petito was reported missing on September 11, and officials are investigating the case.

A police statement released on Wednesday detail how Laundrie returned to North Port on September 1.

CAR IS TAKEN FOR EVIDENCE

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

Police added: "Gabrielle’s vehicle was recovered here in North Port at her home on September 11th. A home shared with her boyfriend Brian Laundrie and his parents.

"That vehicle was fully processed for evidence along with FBI agents Tuesday evening.

"As of now, Brian has not made himself available to be interviewed by investigators or has provided any helpful details."

Laundrie and his fiancé Petito went on a cross-country road trip onboard their white Ford Transit van that started in July.

LAST SEEN

Petito was last seen on August 24 after leaving a Salt Lake City, Utah hotel.

Laundrie has since returned home safely and has hired an attorney but is not cooperating with the police. 

The details of when he returned are unknown; the family says Laundrie is not speaking about what happened.

On Wednesday it was emerged police in Utah responded to a mystery "incident" involving the couple just two weeks before Gabby was last seen.

Moab Chief of Police Bret Edge said: "Our officers did respond to an incident involving Brian Laundrie and Gabrielle Petito on 12 August 2021 however, neither Brian or Gabrielle were the reporting party."

BOYFRIEND SPEAKS OUT

On Tuesday, Laundrie issued a statement through his lawyer, saying: "This is an extremely difficult time for both the Petito family and the Laundrie family.

"I understand that a search has been organized for Miss Petito in or near Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. On behalf of the Laundrie family it is our hope that the search for Miss Petito is successful and that Miss Petito is re-united with her family.

"On the advice of counsel the Laundrie family is remaining in the background at this juncture and will have no further comment."

TEXTS SENT

Petito, 22, last posted Instagram photos on August 25 and FaceTimed her mother a few days before.

Nicole Schmidt, Petito's mother, revealed she received texts from her daughter’s phone until August 30, but she is unsure who actually sent the texts out.

'It was just a text. I did not verbally speak to her,' she said. 

“I can't say much, but she's no longer with the van. I don't want to say anything more than that but for people looking for her, I want them to look for her now, not look for that van anymore.”

We pay for your stories!

Do you have a story for The US Sun team?

Email us at [email protected] or call 212 416 4552.

Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheSunUS and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunUS

Source: Read Full Article