# 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:** 49
**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:** [October 15, 2021, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/964 "2021-10-15T21:13:24Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > The problem is, leaving her the way he did and hiding out is essentially “consciousness of guilt.” That in and of itself is evidence that can be used by prosecutors in a criminal trial. In fiction, this is always explained as “fear of how bad it looked” and “they (police, court, jury) wouldn’t have believed me.” Perry Mason’s meat and potatoes. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2021, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/965 "2021-10-15T22:36:04Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > And Melissa Hulls, the Arches Park ranger (and sole female at the Moab stop) who urged Petito to get out of the “toxic relationship,” said, > > > “It’s not that we didn’t think he was manipulative, but we have to worry about the safety, and not the psychology of it,” she told the Deseret News. “If he’s manipulative, that doesn’t mean we have the legal right to keep them apart, or just arrest him based off that.” > > Scotland has a much better, more comprehensive approach to domestic abuse. Under [that law,](https://www.parliament.scot/bills-and-laws/bills/domestic-abuse-scotland-bill) the traffic stop would have gone very differently. Very interesting about the contrasting way of dealing with domestic abuse situations–thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2021, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/966 "2021-10-16T18:57:03Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > “Mom, dad…the bitch was crazy. It’s very possible she was, sorta kinda. The video of her when she was pulled over made per appear to be a pleasant looking doormat. Based on the video they were at a point in their relationship that their camping trip was toxic. If his driving was actually the result of her hitting him then it had devolved into physical confrontations. On a different note, there’s got to be a lot of men who resemble Brian so that might be slowing down the ability to chase down tips. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2021, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/967 "2021-10-16T23:14:16Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > On a different note, there’s got to be a lot of men who resemble Brian so that might be slowing down the ability to chase down tips. Agreed. In addition, if I was out and saw Brian Laundrie, I would probably nudge my wife and say, “That guy looks like Brian Laundrie!” and she would agree and we would both laugh and go about our day. I’ll bet that most people would do that because you really don’t want to be the person who calls the police on an innocent guy who just happens to look like Laundrie, which as you said, is a lot of young men. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2021, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/968 "2021-10-17T16:12:39Z")
Just added another restaurant to my list of Places I’ve Been That Are Connected To Notorious Murders. Mrs. J. and I ate at the Merry Piglets Mexican Grill in Jackson, WY, where Petito and Laundrie reportedly argued shortly before her disappearance. We had lunch a few times at Smokey Joe’s Tavern in Wayne, PA\*, which later figured in the abduction and murder of a young woman followed after she left the place one night - a crime featured in an episode of _Forensic Files_. There are probably others. Maybe I could write a book, _Dining Out With Death_, covering restaurants associated with famous crimes. \*I used to drive by, but never ate at the General Wayne Inn in nearby Merion. In another widely covered case featured on _Forensic Files_, the co-owner shot his partner to death in an attempt to collect on his life insurance policy. \*\*Umberto’s Clam House in NYC, where Crazy Joe Gallo was rubbed out in 1972, is still in business. A recent reviewer on TripAdvisor said (unironically, apparently) “I had Chicken Piccata and it was to die for.” ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2021, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/969 "2021-10-17T17:03:01Z")
I think you should write the book. It even sounds like the sort of thing that Food Network might run at night or during October. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2021, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/970 "2021-10-17T17:25:12Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Dining Out With Death Death Diners Death Eaters Good Eats With A Side Of Murder Restaurants To Die For ---
**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 17, 2021, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/971 "2021-10-17T17:37:03Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > Why would you need a factory for something you can just pull out of your ass? Your guess is as good as mine! See what I did there? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2021, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/972 "2021-10-17T20:59:34Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > On a different note, there’s got to be a lot of men who resemble Brian so that might be slowing down the ability to chase down tips. He’s probably sporting a Taliban beard by now. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2021, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/973 "2021-10-17T21:20:06Z")
That takes years. A hat and some stick-on water based tattoos would be quicker. Heck, you can buy a [baseball cap with a pony tail sticking out.](https://www.etsy.com/listing/242212751/baseball-cap-with-ponytail-extension?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_b-clothing-unisex_adult_clothing-other&utm_custom1=_k_EAIaIQobChMIjeDEsq_S8wIVy2pvBB00ZgaLEAQYAyABEgLeJfD_BwE_k_&utm_content=go_12573357089_116874699262_507851475784_pla-298745887900_c__242212751_12768591&utm_custom2=12573357089&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjeDEsq_S8wIVy2pvBB00ZgaLEAQYAyABEgLeJfD_BwE). Throw some reading glasses on and he’s 20 years older. It’s not hard to change your looks. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2021, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/974 "2021-10-17T23:03:08Z")
Interview with the Petito parents. People online have commented that the step father resembles Brian. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/vyNiRTHUfS8/maxresdefault.jpg "Gabby Petito's heartbroken family make desperate plea in search for justice | 60 Minutes Australia") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyNiRTHUfS8) ---
**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 18, 2021, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/975 "2021-10-18T05:28:59Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > It’s not hard to change your looks. And always remember, _The Better You Look, The More You’ll See_ ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2021, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/976 "2021-10-20T16:58:56Z")
Saw this news story a few minutes ago: > SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. — The attorney for the family of Brian Laundrie, the 23-year-old man who was named a person of interest in the death of his fiancee, 22-year-old Gabby Petito, told reporters Wednesday that **unidentified “articles” belonging to the missing man were found at the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park**. > (Emphasis added.) ---
**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 20, 2021, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/977 "2021-10-20T17:00:31Z")
Coroner is now on the scene. Apologies for the link. > **[Brian Laundrie search: Human remains found near fugitive's belongings in...](https://www.foxnews.com/us/brian-laundrie-search-parents-florida-park-police-hunt-fugitive)** > > Roberta and Chris Laundrie, Brian Laundrie's parents, were seen at Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park near their home on Wednesday. They were with one officer. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2021, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/978 "2021-10-20T17:33:09Z")
Apparently the parents took law enforcement to the site. If they have known where he was all this time, then I hope they face charges for their inaction. ---
**Author:** ![NetTrekker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nettrekker/32/2909_2.png) [@NetTrekker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NetTrekker)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2021, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/979 "2021-10-20T17:35:05Z")
This. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2021, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/980 "2021-10-20T17:35:39Z")
In case anyone wants a non-Fox link to the breaking news, here’s a link to CBS’s coverage. The first few paragraphs of the story: > [@](#): > > The Sarasota County medical examiner has been called to the site of the Brian Laundrie manhunt, their office confirmed to CBS News. The news comes after items belonging to Brian Laundrie were found Wednesday morning near a trail he frequented in a Florida park, the Laundrie family attorney told [CBS affiliate WTSP](https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/sarasotacounty/brian-laundrie-parents-return-to-carlton-reserve/67-29f707f5-afc0-448e-9f6f-6b3e0c649776). > > The manhunt for Laundrie, who is named a [person of interest](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gabby-petito-brian-laundrie-timeline/) in the disappearance of his late fiancée Gabby Petito, has stretched on for weeks. > > “Chris and Roberta Laundrie went to the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park this morning to search for Brian. The FBI and [North Port Police Department] were informed last night of Brian’s parents’ intentions and they met Chris and Roberta there this morning,” attorney Steven Bertolino said in a text to WTSP. “After a brief search off a trail that Brian frequented some articles belonging to Brian were found.” > **[Apparent human remains found near Brian Laundrie's belongings, FBI says](https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/brian-laundrie-search-update-belongings-human-remains-fbi/)** > > The FBI said "we don't have all the answers yet." ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2021, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/981 "2021-10-20T17:40:37Z")
I’m now back to thinking “WTF?” about the parents. You can pull up a map by the way and see that this Environmental Park is in a contiguous nature area with the Carlton Reserve where his car was left, and it looks like the whole area is actually part of a State Park. So this tracks with him likely having actually been there the whole time, albeit the Environmental Park is on the exact opposite side of the wilderness area from where the reserve is. If the parents were really sitting at home wondering where Brian might be, and suddenly thought “oh yeah, we sometimes went to that creek years ago”, the move is to call police. Not go yourself, then call police. I hope they weren’t stupid enough to decide to “distract the police” by planting evidence there, because it is highly unlikely they have the skills to drop off articles of his clothing etc that won’t be patently obvious to a medical examiner / forensics team they were planted. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2021, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/982 "2021-10-20T17:56:09Z")
> [@Martin\_Hyde](#): > > If the parents were really sitting at home wondering where Brian might be, and suddenly thought “oh yeah, we sometimes went to that creek years ago”, the move is to call police. Not go yourself, then call police. No. It’s normal to not want to send the police on a wild goose chase. That’s why you check it out yourself before calling them. And in this case the parents already previously had sent them on a wild goose chase when they reported him missing and said he went to the Reserve–which the police spent a lot of time fruitlessly searching. ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2021, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/983 "2021-10-20T17:58:09Z")
It looks like I missed this from the reporting–the parents did not go there themselves first, they contacted police and they met police there and then they investigated. So they did do it the “right” way. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604.md?page=48) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604.md?page=50)