NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – The intensive search for Gabby Petito’s missing fiancé Brian Laundrie became a manhunt Thursday after a federal court in Wyoming issued an arrest warrant for him.
A federal grand jury indictment alleges Laundrie used a bank card that didn’t belong to him between Aug. 30 and Sept. 1, after Petito’s death.
Authorities planned to continue their search of a Florida nature reserve for Laundrie on Friday, 10 days after he was reportedly last seen, and a week after his parents reported him missing.
Here’s the latest:
7:00 a.m., Sept. 24: SEARCH FOR BRIAN LAUNDRIE SET TO RESUME AT FLORIDA RESERVE
Authorities planned to return to the 25,000-acre Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County on Friday to search for Brian Laundrie for a seventh day.
“Nothing found. We will be back at it Friday,” North Port Police said Thursday evening.
Authorities search for Brian Laundrie at Carlton Reserve on Sept. 23.North Port Police Department
9:20 p.m., Sept. 23: SECOND WOMAN CLAIMS SHE OFFERED HITCHHIKING RIDE TO LAUNDRIE
A second woman has reportedly claimed that she offered a ride to Brian Laundrie in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park Aug. 29, two days after Gabby Petito was reportedly last seen.
The first claim was via a TikTok made by Miranda Baker, who said she and her boyfriend picked up Laundrie after seeing him on the side of the road.
Now, a second woman -- seasonal Wyoming resident Norma Jean Jalovec, who is from Florida -- recalled a similar situation to Fox News Thursday.
Jalovec told Fox that after seeing Baker's video, she realized she picked up Laundrie about an hour after Baker said she had, at about 6:30 MST, and dropped him off at Spread Creek camping area, where Petito's remains were later found.
Jalovec said she has already spoken to the FBI about the apparent encounter -- which she said involved small talk, but also involved Laundrie allegedly trying to get out of her moving car when she offered to drive him all the way into the campground instead of being dropped at its gate.
6:20 p.m., Sept. 23: LAUNDRIE LAWYER RESPONDS TO INDICTMENT
The Laundrie family's lawyer has responded to the indictment issued Thursday, saying it's "not related to [Petito's] actual demise."
Laundrie's attorney said in a statement to WCBS 880:
“It is my understanding that the arrest warrant is related to activities occurring after the death of Gabby Petito … the FBI is focusing on locating Brian and when that occurs, the specifics of the charges covered under the indictment will be addressed in the proper forum.”
6:15 p.m., Sept. 23: LAUNDRIE SEARCH ENDS FOR THE DAY
Thursday’s search for Brian Laundrie by North Port police has ended.
Police say nothing was found at the Carlton Reserve Thursday and they will return Friday.
5:50 p.m., Sept. 23: ARREST WARRANT ISSUED FOR BRIAN LAUNDRIE
A federal grand jury indictment filed in U.S. District Court in Wyoming alleges Brian Laundrie used a Capital One Bank card and someone's personal identification number to make unauthorized withdrawals or charges worth more than $1,000 during the period in which Petito went missing. It does not say who the card belonged to.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider said an arrest warrant issued Wednesday over the alleged fraudulent use of the bank card will allow law enforcement across the country to continue pursuing Laundrie while the investigation continues into Petito’s homicide.
The indictment says the unauthorized use of the debit card occurred from about Aug. 30 to Sept. 1.
The FBI said they are still seeking information from anyone who was at the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area from Aug. 27-30, may have had contact with Petito or Laundrie, or may have seen their vehicle. Info could be submitted at tips.fbi.gov or at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
