# 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:** 53
**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:** [October 21, 2021, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/1044 "2021-10-21T15:54:11Z")
I like the conspiracy theory that whoever killed Gabby has now killed Brian in a way that suggests suicide. (As far as I know this isn’t a conspiracy theory, I just now made it up. But I bet that conspiracy minded individuals would grab onto it) ---
**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 21, 2021, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/1045 "2021-10-21T15:54:18Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Since it takes time to find and engage a lawyer, unless for some reason they had this guy on speed dial, they likely started the process shortly after Brian’s return I wouldn’t think it would take more than 24 hours to get a lawyer if your son is a person of interest in a possible murder. You make a few phone calls for references and a few more to the top prospects. It doesn’t take long (usually) ---
**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:** [October 21, 2021, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/1046 "2021-10-21T15:57:32Z")
I think a True Conspiracy TheoryTM, at this point, would be that Brian snuck out of the swamp, and headed to Walgreens to get a COVID vaccination, and that he _died from_ a severe reaction _to_ that vaccine. Watch for this one on OANN or Newsmax. It’ll get traction 😉 ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2021, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/1047 "2021-10-21T15:58:16Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Rather than taking the word “immediately” literally, I think the message here is that once the parents got talking to Brian, the concept of “we need a lawyer ASAP” came up very quickly. And the one they got, perhaps coincidentally, had criminal defense credentials. What other kind of attorney would you get in these circumstances? ---
**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 21, 2021, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/1048 "2021-10-21T15:59:20Z")
Lori Vallow didn’t get a criminal defense attorney under similar circumstances, but I assume sane people would get a criminal defense attorney. It only makes sense. ---
**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 21, 2021, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/1049 "2021-10-21T16:06:00Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > - Why did the parents feel the need to hire a lawyer immediately on Brian’s return? Particularly a self-styled “personal attorney” such as yourself whose professed specialties include criminal defense? > - Why are you evading legitimate questions with boilerplate banalities? 1. Because participating in STFU Friday, hiring an attorney and refusing to take a lie detector test is the smartest thing to do - ESPECIALLY if you are innocent. 2. Because that’s what attorneys do. We get paid big bucks to fool you guys into thinking we’re saying something. ---
**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 21, 2021, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/1050 "2021-10-21T16:06:43Z")
It doesn’t take days to retain an attorney for imminent criminal issues, a large number will start representing you same day within hours. ---
**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 21, 2021, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/1051 "2021-10-21T16:12:13Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > What other kind of attorney would you get in these circumstances? Depends on what I thought the “circumstances” were. If I was a parent who thought he was going to be harassed by media, I’d hire an attorney specializing in media relations. If I was a parent who thought my son was likely to face a murder charge, sure I’d hire a criminal lawyer. > [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Because participating in STFU Friday, hiring an attorney and refusing to take a lie detector test is the smartest thing to do - ESPECIALLY if you are innocent. I’m innocent, and I don’t have an attorney, either on retainer or on speed dial. If police want to talk to me about anything, I’ll happily talk to them. > [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > We get paid big bucks to fool you guys into thinking we’re saying something. It didn’t work. It made the parents look guilty and the lawyer look like a fool. ---
**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 21, 2021, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/1052 "2021-10-21T16:14:05Z")
> [@Martin\_Hyde](#): > > It doesn’t take days to retain an attorney for imminent criminal issues, a large number will start representing you same day within hours. No personal experience but my understanding is you can get one almost immediately to tell you about your rights, run interference on the cops who want to question you and maybe get you released. All this to get you time to research and find a permanent attorney. Hey, if I had a law license I’d walk in, tell the police, “We’re done here.” and pass you on to your long-term attorney for $500. ---
**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 21, 2021, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/1053 "2021-10-21T16:15:43Z")
> [@Martin\_Hyde](#): > > It doesn’t take days to retain an attorney for imminent criminal issues, a large number will start representing you same day within hours. But this wasn’t an imminent criminal issue, unless of course the parents believed it would be, which was my point. Brian was not then and even now is not charged with the murder. Also interesting – though there may be a perfectly good explanation – is how come, while the parents are in Florida, this lawyer’s practice is in Long Island, New York? ---
**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 21, 2021, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/1054 "2021-10-21T16:17:17Z")
The parents had been contacted by police. That’s what a criminal issue looks like. ---
**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 21, 2021, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/1055 "2021-10-21T16:18:09Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Also interesting – though there may be a perfectly good explanation – is how come, while the parents are in Florida, this lawyer’s practice is in Long Island, New York? Weren’t they originally from Long Island? The lawyer might be someone they knew there. ---
**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 21, 2021, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/1056 "2021-10-21T16:19:14Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Also interesting – though there may be a perfectly good explanation – is how come, while the parents are in Florida, this lawyer’s practice is in Long Island, New York? Referred to Bertolino by someone local to the Sarasota area? Heck, maybe Petito’s parents’ attorney up on Long Island tipped off a friend in the LI legal community – “_Hey, someone at your firm might want to reach out to the Laundries_”. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2021, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/1057 "2021-10-21T16:20:25Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Depends on what I thought the “circumstances” were. If I was a parent who thought he was going to be harassed by media, I’d hire an attorney specializing in media relations. You don’t hire a lawyer for “media relations” – there are plenty of PR specialists if that’s what you’re concerned about. You hire a lawyer to represent your legal interests, and in this case it was clear that a criminal defense specialist was called for. It doesn’t matter that no charges had been brought yet, the fact that police were clearly interested in Brian warranted retaining a defense attorney. ---
**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:** [October 21, 2021, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/1058 "2021-10-21T16:20:54Z")
The only gratifying thing about this whole thing: Cadaver Dogs - 1 Dog the Bounty Hunter - 0 ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2021, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/1059 "2021-10-21T16:29:50Z")
Re: getting an attorney There are two options here: - You think you (your son, etc.) are innocent You need an attorney to protect your rights and help you navigate the criminal justice system. - You think you (your son, etc.) are guilty You need an attorney to protect your rights and help you navigate the criminal justice system. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2021, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/1060 "2021-10-21T16:35:27Z")
The ACLU, many SDMDers, lawyers, and even the police have explained why talking to the police without a lawyer is a bad idea, innocent or no. ---
**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 21, 2021, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/1061 "2021-10-21T16:35:55Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > It doesn’t matter that no charges had been brought yet, the fact that police were clearly interested in Brian warranted retaining a defense attorney. Fair enough, but … there are all kinds of intermediate steps possible. One can have a consultation with an attorney to discuss the circumstances. One can put an attorney on retainer, just in case. But this guy was all-out actively working for them, fronting all media and police requests. All those options are perfectly legitimate. I’m just saying that the fact that they chose the latter option, even though they don’t appear to be wealthy people, suggests that they really had something to fear. My speculation is that it wasn’t the police requests to talk to Brian that spooked them, which was of course completely predictable under the circumstances, but what Brian told them before he pulled his disappearing act. Do you think they hired a lawyer because Brian told them “yes, Gabby and I decided to break up. And now, I think I’ll go into the wildlife reserve and get some fresh air”? ---
**Author:** ![Fluffy\_PickleSniffer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/77aa72/32.png) [@Fluffy\_PickleSniffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fluffy_PickleSniffer)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2021, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/1062 "2021-10-21T16:36:02Z")
> [@Kron](#): > > When I was in the Everglades a few years back, the place where we parked to begin our hike was absolutely infested with carrion-eaters, and there was a large bin of tarps to use to cover your vehicle to protect it from the various bodily fluids they would exude… This is normal? Holy crap. And… you went in there in spite of this? _twitch_ ---
**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 21, 2021, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/1063 "2021-10-21T16:41:47Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > The ACLU, many SDMDers, lawyers, and even the police have explained why talking to the police without a lawyer is a bad idea, innocent or no. Just for the record, I agree, no argument about that. But he had a lawyer. So why didn’t he talk to the police? Why did said lawyer also advise his parents to not talk to the police? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604.md?page=52) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604.md?page=54)