# 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:** 36
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2021, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/704 "2021-09-30T16:07:18Z")
Couldn’t the publicity he’s getting be worth more than a paltry $30,000? ---
**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 30, 2021, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/705 "2021-09-30T16:09:55Z")
> [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > And, consider _this_ : since Gabby’s body was already found 1000’s of miles from Florida this could only mean that Laundrie removed some part of her body and took it home with him, possibly as a trophy. Creepy! I read it as something to match Laundrie against - not something about Gabby. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2021, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/706 "2021-09-30T16:22:03Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > And what was that $1,000 in withdrawals for? Not lodging, I wouldn’t think, as he apparently spent little time sleeping. Would he have spent $1,000 on gas and food? The reports saying he spent 1K on a debit card don’t say he used the card for cash withdrawals (which would be an issue if the card’s owner did not give him the PIN). But most debit cards are Visa or MasterCard-branded, which means you can swipe them at a cash register etc. exactly a if they were credit cards - no PIN required, He might well have spent a chunk of it on gas and food: let’s say he drove about 2600 miles home, and the van gets 15 miles per gallon, and gas is 3.50 a gallon: that’s about 175 gallons or about 600 bucks (assuming gas averages close to 3.50 per gallon). Presumably he didn’t need lodging even if he DID stop for sleep break, since the van has a place to sleep. It’s fairly plausible he spent the rest of the thousand on food and other incidentals. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2021, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/707 "2021-09-30T16:57:43Z")
> [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](#): > > Oh no, that means I missed it twice. > > I swear I thought I was paying better attention. May I suggest that you **not** make a career change to bounty hunter. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2021, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/708 "2021-09-30T17:48:16Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > Couldn’t the publicity he’s getting be worth more than a paltry $30,000? Like I said, I’m cynical. I do think he’s going with the Benjamins, Brah. As for the publicity, I hear he’s pitching another TV series. This might be just the case to get it sold. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2021, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/709 "2021-09-30T18:26:27Z")
> [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > Where is this list? > > Have the authorities released a list of ‘persons of interest’ and there was only one name on it (Brian Laundrie)? > > Or is he the only individual you have heard reported to be a person of interest? I don’t know if you’re trying to parse words but that’s what was reported in the news. [Laundrie is the FBI’s only “person of interest” i](https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/special-reports/gabby-petito-case/brian-laundrie-search/67-e88bca48-dbbc-496f-9d0f-fe637c46e8dd)n the case of his fiancée, 22-year-old Gabby Petito. The agency now leads the search for the missing man. My question to you is who else did you think they were looking for? Why are you surprised that Laundrie is the only one? > [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > Maybe he had no idea he was being sought–I wouldn’t bet on it but the thing is–you have no way of knowing either way. or perhaps it had crossed his mind but was in no way ‘clear’? He retained a lawyer and disappeared after taking her car and her bank card. So the probability is high that he knows he is being sought after. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2021, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/710 "2021-09-30T18:28:19Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > I do have a problem with “We either don’t have evidence of the serious crime or don’t want to tell you about it, so we will peruse the federal code and find a bullshit minor crime to charge him with and use his legal and constitutionally protected activities to make an inference that he is a flight risk.” I feel that is dangerous to everyone’s liberty. I don’t have a problem with it. He appears to be a flight risk given his behavior before and after it was known she was murdered. ---
**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 30, 2021, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/711 "2021-09-30T20:03:56Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > The reports saying he spent 1K on a debit card don’t say he used the card for cash withdrawals (which would be an issue if the card’s owner did not give him the PIN). The news article I read said it was unknown whether the withdrawals were for cash or purchases. “Withdrawals” in that sense seems to mean any spending down of the account, but I can see I should have used a different term. Sorry about that. And thanks for the explanation. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2021, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/712 "2021-09-30T20:31:25Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > [Laundrie is the FBI’s only “person of interest” i](https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/special-reports/gabby-petito-case/brian-laundrie-search/67-e88bca48-dbbc-496f-9d0f-fe637c46e8dd)n the case of his fiancée, 22-year-old Gabby Petito. The agency now leads the search for the missing man. > > My question to you is who else did you think they were looking for? Why are you surprised that Laundrie is the only one? Wow. I did not know the FBI had actually said he’s the only person of interest. I’m sorry. I had thought that patently ridiculous but you were right it seems (although I don’t see the quote attributed in your link). ---
**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 30, 2021, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/713 "2021-09-30T20:42:52Z")
Dog: “What do you mean ‘Florida isn’t an island’?” ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2021, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/714 "2021-09-30T21:49:09Z")
Somebody trolled Laundrie by flying a banner behind an airplane where searchers are looking for him. > **[Dog The Bounty Hunter Flies “Aloha Brian Laundrie” Banner Around Florida](https://www.whiskeyriff.com/2021/09/29/dog-the-bounty-hunter-flies-aloha-brian-laundrie-banner-around-florida/)** > > A RIFF on what country is really about. The banner says, “Aloha Brian Laundrie - Dog”. Chapman says he’s not responsible, but it gave him a good laugh. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2021, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/715 "2021-10-01T00:21:17Z")
> [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > Wow. I did not know the FBI had actually said he’s the only person of interest. I’m sorry. I had thought that patently ridiculous but you were right it seems (although I don’t see the quote attributed in your link). I heard it on a couple of the older national news stations. Doesn’t make it fact but it’s the kind of thing that stands out. It’s not like they don’t get it wrong and then copy each other. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2021, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/716 "2021-10-01T00:24:21Z")
It makes sense that he’s the only person of interest, given that he’s the only person known to have been with her recently. (It’s possible, of course, that someone else killed her.) ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2021, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/717 "2021-10-01T01:25:22Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > There’s another exciting manhunt, um, womanhunt in the news. > > German authorities are searching for 96-year-old Irmgard Furchner, who was due to go on trial for her alleged role in Nazi concentration camp atrocities, but is now described as being “on the run” (or at least a slow walk). > > No word on whether she’s a survivalist capable of dodging authorities in the wilds of Germany. According to CNN, the 96-year-old accused of war crimes now been apprehended (after a presumably low-speed chase). She will now be tried in Juvenile Court. Because she was, in fact, a “juvenile” when the alleged crimes were committed. Perhaps the Juvenile Court will recommend that she be released into the custody of her parents until she learns to behave, such as not signing death warrants for the gassing of Jewish prisoners (which were among the charges, according to an interview on CBC Radio tonight). ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2021, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/718 "2021-10-01T01:30:18Z")
Yes, it’s possible. If they were in NYC and he drove off and used her cards there are thousands and thousands of people who could be a suspect. But in this case the probability he’s the only suspect is much higher given the sparse population of the area, their link together, and their wilderness camping project. ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2021, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/719 "2021-10-01T01:40:01Z")
Police were called to Laundrie house twice the day before Petito was reported missing. The reasons are redacted, but the reports say “Problem settled”. > The police were also called three times on day she was reported missing. Says “Problem Settled” and “No Police Action Needed”, before finally “Report Submitted”. > ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2021, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/720 "2021-10-01T01:48:43Z")
Has it already been mentioned that the Laundries - parents and Brian - went camping on 6th-7th September, after Brian Laundrie returned without Gabby Petito (1st September) and before she was reported missing (11th September)? > **[Brian Laundrie Went Camping With Parents After Returning Home Without Fiancée...](https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/brian-laundrie-went-camping-with-parents-after-returning-home-without-fiancee-gabby-petito/)** > > Police are still searching for Brian. But now the timeline in the case grows more mysterious. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2021, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/721 "2021-10-01T01:57:13Z")
> [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > Where is this list? Oh, it’s the Laundrie list. 😏 ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2021, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/722 "2021-10-01T02:28:14Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > 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 Possible? It’s very probable. > [@cochrane](#): > > The banner says, “Aloha Brian Laundrie - Dog”. Chapman says he’s not responsible, but it gave him a good laugh. Oh, he’s responsible. His show’s been off the air for nine years. He needs more money for his wraparounds from Sunglass Hut. ---
**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:** [October 1, 2021, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/723 "2021-10-01T03:05:59Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > May I suggest that you **not** make a career change to bounty hunter. Agreed. Wouldn’t recognize a Serial Killer across a Picknick Table. Just lucky to still be posting. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604.md?page=35) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604.md?page=37)