# 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:** 37
**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:** [October 1, 2021, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/724 "2021-10-01T13:30:48Z")
With all of the reports of police trying to find Laundrie one thing I haven’t heard - is there an arrest warrant out for him? ---
**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:** [October 1, 2021, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/725 "2021-10-01T13:40:58Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > With all of the reports of police trying to find Laundrie one thing I haven’t heard - is there an arrest warrant out for him ? Yes, there is now, but not for murder. Rather, for illegally using (presumably Gabby’s) credit/debit card. Details are scant but that much has been made public. ---
**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:** [October 1, 2021, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/726 "2021-10-01T15:48:36Z")
So basically making it illegal if the parents are harboring a fugitive rather than before where it was legal for them to say, “We’re not going to help you.”? ---
**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:** [October 1, 2021, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/727 "2021-10-01T16:04:38Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > So basically making it illegal if the parents are harboring a fugitive rather than before where it was legal for them to say, “We’re not going to help you.” ? It’s still legal for the parents to say to investigators “_We’re not going to help you_”. It’s not legal for them to harbor Brian, of course – but that’s a different thing. I’ve not yet arrived to the point where it’s obvious that his parents are complicit in his disappearance. I don’t think enough is yet _publicly_ known about who knew what and when. I also can conceive of plausible scenarios where Brian arriving at his parents’ home without Gabby could have been explained away _to sympathetic ears_, buying him the 10 days until the Petito family filed the missing persons report. ---
**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:** [October 1, 2021, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/728 "2021-10-01T16:08:08Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > It’s still legal for the parents to say to investigators “ _We’re not going to help you_ ”. It’s not legal for them to harbor Brian, of course – but that’s a different thing. I know YMMV based on state law and we may need a lawyer dog to answer this, but I thought if you knew where someone was that has an arrest warrant out for them and the police ask you directly where they were that you had to tell them otherwise it’s accessory. ---
**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:** [October 1, 2021, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/729 "2021-10-01T16:19:46Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > > [@bordelond](#): > > > > It’s still legal for the parents to say to investigators “ _We’re not going to help you_ ”. It’s not legal for them to harbor Brian, of course – but that’s a different thing. > > I know YMMV based on state law and we may need a lawyer dog to answer this, but I thought if you knew where someone was that has an arrest warrant out for them and the police ask you directly where they were that you had to tell them otherwise it’s accessory . That is a good question for the lawyers on board. My current opinion, based on what is publicly known, is that it’s virtually impossible for the Laundrie’s to have any clue whatsoever about Brian’s current whereabouts. That would require some communications at one point or another that would have been trivial for investigators to intercept (or else relatively trivial to uncover if we posit some kind of pre 9/11 escape-plan set-up). For Brian to remain hidden this long, I don’t think communication with his parents can have taken place. ---
**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, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/730 "2021-10-01T22:40:33Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > I’ve not yet arrived to the point where it’s obvious that his parents are complicit in his disappearance. They went on a camping trip with their son knowing he showed up alone with his fiance’s vehicle minus his fiance. Regardless of what the law says they’re on my list of people who get coal for Christmas. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2021, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/731 "2021-10-01T22:45:03Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > They went on a camping trip with their son knowing he showed up alone with his fiance’s vehicle minus his fiance. While I was never willing to give him the benefit of the doubt about Gabby’s disappearance, I will (for now) wait until we know more about his parents’ potential culpability. There are a million plausible stories he could have told them about where Gabby was that might not sound suspicious at all until her parents raised the alarm. ---
**Author:** ![Esprise\_Me](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprise_me/32/2947_2.png) [@Esprise\_Me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprise_Me)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2021, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/732 "2021-10-01T22:45:27Z")
Not in any jurisdiction I’m familiar with. Plus, as mentioned upthread, Florida has an exception to the accessory after the fact law for immediate family. ---
**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, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/733 "2021-10-01T22:47:19Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > There are a million plausible stories he could have told them about where Gabby was that might not sound suspicious at all until her parents raised the alarm. that’s true but they all end with, she’s located \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. Call her if you like. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2021, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/734 "2021-10-01T22:50:57Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > I know YMMV based on state law and we may need a lawyer dog to answer this, but I thought if you knew where someone was that has an arrest warrant out for them and the police ask you directly where they were that you had to tell them otherwise it’s accessory. You’re never required to answer questions from the police, except that in some jurisdictions you have to provide answers to basic identification questions like your name, address, date of birth, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2021, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/735 "2021-10-01T22:57:31Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > > [@Procrustus](#): > > > > There are a million plausible stories he could have told them about where Gabby was that might not sound suspicious at all until her parents raised the alarm. > > that’s true but they all end with, she’s located \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. Call her if you like. I could have shown up at my parents house any time without my wife and said “she’s visiting some friends in Maine” and they never would have had any reason to doubt it. Even if that was a change in plans, and I showed up with her car. “Okay, we’ll see her next week” is about what I’d expect. ---
**Author:** ![Kimera757](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kimera757/32/3765_2.png) [@Kimera757](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimera757)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2021, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/736 "2021-10-01T22:59:21Z")
Gabby Petito’s parents called Brian Laundrie’s parents repeatedly before calling the police. That sort of story would likely start to fall apart if the suspect can’t answer “so why do your fiancee’s parents keep calling?”. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2021, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/737 "2021-10-01T23:01:45Z")
“She met this guy at the campsite and she said she was going to hang out with him instead because she needed a break from me. She told me to take the van home since driving makes her anxious. She was mad at me and said if I wanted any chance of getting her back, I’d leave her alone and _maybe_ she’d call when she was heading back to Florida. I can’t stand it and I’m afraid I’ll get drunk and call her, so I’m going out for a long hike and I’m leaving the phone here so I don’t get tempted.” ---
**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:** [October 1, 2021, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/738 "2021-10-01T23:04:18Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > > [@Magiver](#): > > > > > [@Procrustus](#): > > > > > > There are a million plausible stories he could have told them about where Gabby was that might not sound suspicious at all until her parents raised the alarm. > > > > that’s true but they all end with, she’s located \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. Call her if you like. > > I could have shown up at my parents house any time without my wife and said “she’s visiting some friends in Maine” and they never would have had any reason to doubt it. Even if that was a change in plans, and I showed up with her car. “Okay, we’ll see her next week” is about what I’d expect. More or less this. Many reasonable explanations available before the 9/11 missing persons report was filed. IMHO It also wouldn’t have been hard to ward his parents off from attempting to call Gabby. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2021, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/739 "2021-10-01T23:05:10Z")
Has anyone posted [this](https://www.foxnews.com/us/brian-laundrie-cryptic-messages-pinterest)? Gabby Petito’s [missing boyfriend](https://www.foxnews.com/category/topic/missing-persons), Brian Laundrie, apparently shared cryptic and foreboding images and messages on Pinterest – including one last month that read: “Don’t try to find me. I have finally escaped my ‘master’s’ wicked clutches,” according to a report. I can’t bring myself to watch the videos, so I don’t have a context for this. Just thought I’d share. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2021, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/740 "2021-10-01T23:06:35Z")
> [@Kimera757](#): > > Gabby Petito’s parents called Brian Laundrie’s parents repeatedly before calling the police. That sort of story would likely start to fall apart if the suspect can’t answer “so why do your fiancee’s parents keep calling?”. I didn’t know that. That does make it more suspicious. But a good liar could explain that away too. ---
**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:** [October 1, 2021, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/741 "2021-10-01T23:11:14Z")
> [@Kimera757](#): > > Gabby Petito’s parents called Brian Laundrie’s parents repeatedly before calling the police. That sort of story would likely start to fall apart if the suspect can’t answer “so why do your fiancee’s parents keep calling?” . Do we know on what day(s) these calls were made? I’m assuming after the 9/6-7 camping but I don’t know. ---
**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:** [October 1, 2021, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/742 "2021-10-01T23:15:16Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > > [@Kimera757](#): > > > > Gabby Petito’s parents called Brian Laundrie’s parents repeatedly before calling the police. That sort of story would likely start to fall apart if the suspect can’t answer “so why do your fiancee’s parents keep calling?”. > > I didn’t know that. That does make it more suspicious. But a good liar could explain that away too. Brian Laundrie didn’t necessarily have to buy ALL the days leading up to 9/11. Just several of them. ---
**Author:** ![Kimera757](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kimera757/32/3765_2.png) [@Kimera757](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimera757)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2021, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/743 "2021-10-01T23:26:28Z")
I didn’t see the specific days in the report. Gabby Petito stopped contacting her parents on August 27th. I don’t know how long it took for her parents to get worried. In theory they could have called before September 1st, but I doubt it, since the news reports didn’t mention that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604.md?page=36) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604.md?page=38)