Florida Search For ex-LIer Brian Laundrie Called Off Due To Dark

UPDATE: NORTH PORT, FL — Law enforcement authorities called off their search in Florida for Brian Laundrie, a person of interest in the missing person case of former Long Islander Gabrielle Petito, on Saturday night due to the dark, North Port police said.

North Port police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and other agency partners began a search of the Carlton Reserve in Venice, FL, for Laundrie, who left his family's home and has not been seen in four days, on Saturday morning. Police did not find anything in their search and expect it to resume on Sunday morning, according to the department's Twitter account.

The department addressed false reports of a body being located where investigators are searching, noting that they are "completely fake."

Police said a search of the reserve was prompted by Laundrie's family telling them that he entered the area "earlier this week," according to a statement on the police department's Twitter feed Saturday morning that contained the promise, "More details when available."

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Channel 8 News in Florida reported there is a massive law enforcement presence at the reserve and that K-9 units are being used. Fox News reported amphibious vehicles were called in to help with searching the property, which is infested with alligators.

Twenty-three-year-old Laundrie is now being sought after an attorney for the Laundrie family called FBI investigators Friday night "indicating the family would like to talk about the disappearance of their son," police said early Saturday.

"The family now claims that they have not seen Brian since Tuesday of this week," a statement on the department's Facebook read and included a picture of the engaged couple.

"We understand the community's frustration," the post read, adding, "We are frustrated, too. For six days, the North Port Police Department and the FBI have been pleading with the family to contact investigators regarding Brian's fiancée Gabby Petito. Friday is the first time they have spoken with investigators in detail."

The department reiterated that it is important to note "Brian is a person of interest in Gabby's disappearance, he is not wanted for a crime."

North Port police made it clear the department is not currently working on a "crime investigation."

Instead, they are now working a "multiple missing person" investigation, the statement concluded.

On Friday night, an attorney for Laundrie told reporters that he was not inside his parents' home, and has not been seen for days, according to The New York Post. Property was also removed from the home, the outlet reported.

Laundrie returned home to the house he shared with his parents and Petito in her van on Sept. 1., according to police. He would not speak with investigators and his family instead handed them the phone number of their attorney.

Laundrie and his parents have drawn criticism from Petito's family who have publicly pleaded with them for information.

Police arrived at the Laundrie family home on Friday as a group of protesters gathered outside demanding answers in Petito's disappearance, some shouting, "Gabby's family wants answers," others saying, "Brian, speak up," according to a video tweeted by News Nation Now correspondent Brian Entin.

At one point, one man shouted, "Stop hiding inside your house," in the video.

Laundrie is described as a white man standing at about 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing about 160 lbs. He has brown eyes, short brown hair, and trimmed facial hair. He was last seen wearing a hiking bag with a waist strap, according to police.

Authorities are urging anyone with information about Petito or Laundrie to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.

This is a developing story. Follow Patchogue Patch for updates.