# Van lifer goes missing on cross country trip with fiancee **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 13, 2021, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604 "2021-09-13T13:48:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 24
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/462 "2021-09-22T16:28:32Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > So, “not a suspect” is a lie and they’re poised to make an arrest as soon as they find him. > > Could be, but pretty disingenuous. Think about it this way. They have mobilized the FBI, the NPS, state authorities and spent thousands of dollars and man hours searching for him. Do you really think that when they find him holed up in a Motel 6 off of I-95 in rural Georgia, the conversation will go like this: Cop: Mr. Laundrie, we have been looking everywhere for you! Laundrie: Yes, and as my parents told you, I have nothing to say. Speak with my attorney. Cop: Ah, very well, then. Just checking. Have a great day! ?? ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/463 "2021-09-22T16:36:26Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > IANAL but I’ve watched a lot of Law and Order 😀… Me, too. Did you know you can get C.E.U.s for watching? 😉 I think you’re right about holding a witness. ISTR that they don’t have to Mirandize or provide a lawyer for a witness. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/464 "2021-09-22T16:48:13Z")
If he didn’t want to be found the best thing to do is say “I’m going camping in the swamp.” and promptly head to New York City. Was his car located near the swamp? Granted, moving about without leaving some sort of trail is almost impossible but with enough cash, its do-able ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/465 "2021-09-22T16:53:07Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > ISTR that they don’t have to Mirandize or provide a lawyer for a witness. The key is not what label the police put on the person. The test is one of custody. Is that person in police custody? If they are, then Miranda applies. If they are not in custody, then Miranda does not apply…whether designated as witness or as suspect or person of interest or toggle grommet. ETA: In custody and being interrogated. It takes both. > [@MikeF](#): > > Granted, moving about without leaving some sort of trail is almost impossible but with enough cash, its do-able The wife and I were talking about this last night. It would be very difficult in this modern world to stay off the radar even if paying in cash. If he shows up at a McDonalds, how many people will have their cell phones pointed at him? ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/466 "2021-09-22T17:00:38Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > If he shows up at a McDonalds, how many people will have their cell phones pointed at him? Nobody. Just another tall guy wearing a N95 mask. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/467 "2021-09-22T17:07:22Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > > [@Magiver](#): > > > > As for calling him a murderer I think he cashed in his get-out-of-jail-free card in the court of public opinion.when he showed up in her car with no explanation. > > Agreed. I cannot conceive of an innocent reason why he would return home in her car without her . A facile and feasible reason – knowing only what was known on Sept 1 when he returned to his parents’ home – could have been that Petito died not by Laundrie’s hand (suicide, murdered by another, or else disappeared). Laundrie panicked and instead of promptly informing authorities, he drove straight back to Florida. Now then. The events of the past two weeks or so would seem to throw much doubt on such a scenario as posited above. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/468 "2021-09-22T17:11:57Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > Nobody. Just another tall guy wearing a N95 mask. Excellent point. That is very beneficial to people on the run. > [@bordelond](#): > > could have been that Petito died not by Laundrie’s hand (suicide, murdered by another, or else disappeared). Laundrie panicked and instead of promptly informing authorities, he drove straight back to Florida. See, that makes absolutely zero sense to me. We all perceive things differently, but if you told me that your fiancée committed suicide and you just hung a U turn, left her body in a field and drove 3,000 miles because you panicked, I’m not believing that for a second and nobody I know would believe that. At no time during the trek did you calm down and call someone? ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/469 "2021-09-22T17:12:02Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > Cop: Mr. Laundrie, we have been looking everywhere for you! > Laundrie: Yes, and as my parents told you, I have nothing to say. Speak with my attorney. > Cop: Ah, very well, then. Just checking. Have a great day ! Something that crossed my mind: What would the police do – from an investigative standpoint – if Laundrie is apprehended and then (somehow) is able to NEVER make a statement to investigators? It turns out he has a superhuman ability to stay mum. Can his account be somehow compelled (through above-board legal means), and if so, at what step? ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/470 "2021-09-22T17:14:21Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > > [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > > > Nobody. Just another tall guy wearing a N95 mask. > > Excellent point. That is very beneficial to people on the run. > > > [@bordelond](#): > > > > could have been that Petito died not by Laundrie’s hand (suicide, murdered by another, or else disappeared). Laundrie panicked and instead of promptly informing authorities, he drove straight back to Florida. > > See, that makes absolutely zero sense to me. We all perceive things differently, but if you told me that your fiancée committed suicide and you just hung a U turn, left her body in a field and drove 3,000 miles because you panicked, I’m not believing that for a second and nobody I know would believe that. At no time during the trek did you calm down and call someone ? I know – that’s why I invoked panic. “Panic” is probably too mild of a term for it, actually. Maybe “psychotic break” fits better? Highly improbable things, eventually, do happen and have happened. EDIT: Also, recall my “what was known on Sept 1” condition. Her body was not located until nearly three weeks afterward. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/471 "2021-09-22T17:20:04Z")
Can’t be compelled. He has an absolute right under the Fifth Amendment to remain silent. At that point, they have to assemble evidence that he murdered her from other sources. Contrary to television shows, circumstantial evidence is very powerful evidence. His flight is evidence. The domestic battery video probably comes in. Many juries would convict based on what we have now. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/472 "2021-09-22T17:35:26Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > A facile and feasible reason – knowing only what was known on Sept 1 when he returned to his parents’ home – could have been that Petito died not by Laundrie’s hand (suicide, murdered by another, or else disappeared). Laundrie panicked and instead of promptly informing authorities, he drove straight back to Florida. I haven’t seen it verified but it’s been said that the vehicle belonged to Petito. If that were true I would have had him arrested for grand theft auto and looked into having him held without bail pending an investigation of the disappearance of Petito. Let him panic in jail. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/473 "2021-09-22T17:35:34Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I think you’re right about holding a witness. ISTR that they don’t have to Mirandize or provide a lawyer for a witness. You don’t have to Mirandize or provide a lawyer for a witness, but you can’t hold a witness either. The second they aren’t free to go, they aren’t a witness anymore. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/474 "2021-09-22T17:36:59Z")
But he had her consent to drive the vehicle. There is no evidence he stole it unless you assume he murdered her, but then you just charge him with that. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/475 "2021-09-22T17:38:49Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > but you can’t hold a witness either. The second they aren’t free to go, they aren’t a witness anymore I lost track of what happened with the **[Material Witness](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Material_witness#Attempting_to_amend_the_material_witness_statute)** law(s), but this thing _is_ pretty much Federal right now, no ? ETA: Though ISTR that _they did_ have to be given Miranda … ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/476 "2021-09-22T17:39:30Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > But he had her consent to drive the vehicle. There is no evidence he stole it unless you assume he murdered her, but then you just charge him with that. What makes you think he had her consent to drive the vehicle without her? ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/477 "2021-09-22T17:39:45Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > See, that makes absolutely zero sense to me. We all perceive things differently, but if you told me that your fiancée committed suicide and you just hung a U turn, left her body in a field and drove 3,000 miles because you panicked, I’m not believing that for a second and nobody I know would believe that. At no time during the trek did you calm down and call someone? entirely plausible that, after a fight and separation, he went back to apologize - couldn’t find her and after searching (or maybe in a huff) - took the van back home assuming she would be there (by some other means). ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/478 "2021-09-22T17:40:18Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > I haven’t seen it verified but it’s been said that the vehicle belonged to Petito. If that were true I would have had him arrested for grand theft auto They lived together, shared possessions. I live with my gf and drive her car all the time whenever it’s the more convenient vehicle. If stopped by police, her name and address is on the owner’s card, my name and address is on my driver’s license. Same address. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/479 "2021-09-22T17:41:11Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > What makes you think he had her consent to drive the vehicle without her? Implied consent. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/480 "2021-09-22T17:41:36Z")
> [@simster](#): > > entirely plausible that, after a fight and separation, he went back to apologize - couldn’t find her and after searching (or maybe in a huff) - took the van back home assuming she would be there (by some other means). If you had a fight with someone would you let them leave you stranded and drive your car thousands of miles. No rational person would do this. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/481 "2021-09-22T17:43:35Z")
I really think that the whole hiding in the swamp thing is a misdirection. Maybe by his parents or possibly by the authorities to some extent while they look elsewhere. He could not have packed enough food and water with him to live more than a couple days. Having someone else supply him with the essentials would only lead the cops to him. He is not the survivalist sort. The parents were told to take whatever vehicle he parked at the swamp area back home. This car thing making it look like he is in the swamp is another misdirection. The other option is that he killed himself in the swamp, that probably makes it easier to find him, cadaver dogs would be used. And if his parents really thought that he killed himself they would, I think, be more cooperative with the investigation. I continue to think that he was never at home with his parents, or if so not for very long. Never in the swamp, either dead or alive. I am probably wrong but we will see. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604.md?page=23) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604.md?page=25)