# 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:** 33
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2021, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/644 "2021-09-27T18:08:49Z")
Rose Davis, Gabby Petito’s bff, says Laundrie is capable of surviving in the wilderness for a few months, as he’s done so before. Maybe, but I don’t think a few months would be long enough for people to forget his face. Also, he’s a guy who’s apparently very dependent on his parents. He’s going to get pretty lonely out there by himself. Maybe he’s figuring the wilderness is better than the death penalty, which he could be facing if it’s a capital murder case. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2021, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/645 "2021-09-27T18:11:35Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > Rose Davis, Gabby Petito’s bff, says Laundrie is capable of surviving in the wilderness for a few months, as he’s done so before. It was my understanding that she said that he had hiked the Appalachian Trial for a few months before. That is far different than “surviving in the wilderness.” Yes, you have to be in reasonably good shape to hike it, but there are shelters every so often and you pass by towns where you can drop in for food, supplies, or even a hotel room. Also other people pass by in case of injury. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2021, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/646 "2021-09-27T18:12:17Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > If they didn’t produce their son then that poses an interesting scenario. I think the police were in a position to detain him for a short period of time on suspicion of foul play. Nope - not interesting at all. You don’t have to leave your house or talk just to satisfy the police. Hell, you don’t even have to answer the door when the cops come-a-knocking and you certainly cannot be compelled to produce another person in the house. In your house, they need a warrant to come in and force you to talk to them. The standard is much different than in public (like on your porch). That’s why I taught my son that when a cop is outside your door and wants you to step outside to talk to them, the correct response is, “No. I can hear you fine in here.” and probably start filming with your phone and be ready to participate in STFU Friday. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2021, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/647 "2021-09-27T18:16:10Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > It still wouldn’t be a larceny or a theft. That requires a “taking.” And if he had possession of it the whole time, then theft or larceny wouldn’t be a proper charge. The estate would have a civil claim against him to return it, but I can’t see the crime, especially if he didn’t know she was dead, and even if he did (although as @Magiver points out, I could see an argument that an implied condition on the use of the van was “you will not murder me and keep it for yourself”) From [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2021/09/23/national-security-expert-expects-brian-laundries-parents-to-be-summoned-to-a-grand-jury-momentarily.html): > The indictment alleges that Laundrie made unauthorized use of a Capitol One Bank debit card between Aug. 30 and Sept.1 for purchasing items adding up to more than $1,000. > > [Former assistant director for counterintelligence at the FBI Frank] Figliuzzi told CNBC’s ["The News with Shepard Smith](https://www.cnbc.com/the-news-with-shepard-smith/)" that the usage of “unauthorized use” in the indictment is revealing in itself. > > “If it’s her credit card, presumably, that means that authorities are convinced that Gabby was unable to give permission to use her card. That means they are closer to fixing the time of death…that’s why you are seeing ‘unauthorized use,’ she was likely dead at that time,” Figliuzzi, an NBC News national security analyst, said. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2021, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/648 "2021-09-27T18:20:03Z")
> [@Kimera757](#): > > On a related note: if living “on the lam” in the woods somewhere somehow better than living in prison? If he’s alive and in hiding, is that somehow making things better for himself? Absolutely. I’ve never been to prison, but I can pretty well determine that I’d rather live in a hole in the ground under a rock before going behind bars. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2021, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/649 "2021-09-27T18:21:34Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > It was my understanding that she said that he had hiked the Appalachian Trial for a few months before. That is far different than “surviving in the wilderness.” Yes, you have to be in reasonably good shape to hike it, but there are shelters every so often and you pass by towns where you can drop in for food, supplies, or even a hotel room. Also other people pass by in case of injury. Excellent points. ---
**Author:** ![yarblek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/71e660/32.png) [@yarblek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yarblek)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2021, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/650 "2021-09-27T20:38:08Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Absolutely. I’ve never been to prison, but I can pretty well determine that I’d rather live in a hole in the ground under a rock before going behind bars. I agree. The stuff that goes on in US prisons is unconscionable, especially in maximum security prisons. One telling account is in a book by Larry Lawton, [Gangster Redemption](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16219485-gangster-redemption). You can also listen to an [abridged version on Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvBP0IWLnZPLqfGmtAWsJh_YWpXxiXx54). ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2021, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/651 "2021-09-27T20:39:49Z")
I also agree. I visit them often and that would be my idea of hell. But if you talk to the guys they will almost universally tell you that for the first 2 weeks to a month, it feels like you are living in hell, but then you start getting used to it and after a while it doesn’t really bother you a whole lot. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2021, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/652 "2021-09-27T21:32:35Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > On what authority? suspicion of the disappearance of his fiance. If I can get pulled over and questioned over a tail light I’m not seeing the problem you’re seeing. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2021, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/653 "2021-09-27T22:35:04Z")
Well, yeah, people are very adaptable. Given a choice, though, I’d rather adapt to wilderness living than prison living. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2021, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/654 "2021-09-27T22:36:55Z")
If your taillight is out, you are in violation of a traffic law. “Suspicion” of a crime is not a reason to detain someone unless you have a warrant to arrest them. Just because you want to talk to them is not enough to detain them, especially given that they do not have to talk to you and in this case the police were informed of that fact. And, again, for a week the police were telling us that he was not a suspect, e.g. under suspicion, for her disappearance. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2021, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/655 "2021-09-27T22:50:21Z")
I dunno. Seems to me that spending all day, every day, completely alone and with zero interaction with other humans for months or years would BE a sort of prison. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2021, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/656 "2021-09-27T22:55:29Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > all day, every day, completely alone Sounds like my pandemic life… (and it’s glorious). ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2021, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/657 "2021-09-27T23:00:42Z")
You wouldn’t, necessarily, be completely without human contact. But sharply limited human contact might be sufficient for some (many?) while allowing for living a largely, but not completely, hermit existence. Some people genuinely like to be alone. Is Laundrie one of them? I have no idea. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2021, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/658 "2021-09-27T23:14:17Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > And, again, for a week the police were telling us that he was not a suspect, e.g. under suspicion, for her disappearance. No, they just said he was the ONLY person of interest. He was certainly under suspicion due to his behavior. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2021, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/659 "2021-09-27T23:17:17Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > I dunno. Seems to me that spending all day, every day, completely alone and with zero interaction with other humans for months or years would BE a sort of prison. You left out the “living in fear” part. Getting caught by the police might be something in his best interest. ---
**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 28, 2021, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/660 "2021-09-28T00:13:18Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > Maybe he’s figuring the wilderness is better than the death penalty, which he could be facing if it’s a capital murder case. Wyoming death row is an even lonelier place than the wilderness - there’s nobody on it. And they’ve only executed one person in the last half-century. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2021, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/661 "2021-09-28T01:07:45Z")
If she was killed in the National Park it would be the feds and not the State of Wyoming. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2021, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/662 "2021-09-28T04:48:59Z")
Okay, I haven’t been following this anywhere except in this thread, and not 100% of that. But is it possible that he, on first returning home and possibly on his parents’ advice, got away to some kind of safe house, like a friend of the parents or somewhere, before anyone knew he was gone, and stayed doggo there for this whole time? Both he and his parents could have burner phones for staying in touch. During this time he could be growing his hair out (if possible, or is he already bald?) and putting on weight or other things to radically change his appearance, so that he could eventually be moved somewhere overseas. Maybe these kinds of escapes aren’t possible any more unless you have boatloads of money, I don’t know. Does Brazil still not have extradition? All things I wonder about, as distinct from him trying to survive in the wild somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2021, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/663 "2021-09-28T17:20:22Z")
A burner phone keeps you anonymous but not it’s location. If they know your location then they can track the phone’s history to other phones and where they are located. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604.md?page=32) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604.md?page=34)