Police Chief Tweets Lawyer For Info On Gabrielle Petito Case

NORTH PORT, FLA — The Florida police chief overseeing the investigation into the disappearance of former Long Islander Gabrielle Petito is calling on the attorney representing her boyfriend to produce him to investigators for an interview.

Chief Todd Garrison told East Islip attorney Steven Bertolino, who is representing Brian Laundrie, that the North Port Police Department needs his “help” finding Petito and politely urged him to “arrange a conversation” with Laundrie, on Twitter just before 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

“Two people left on a trip and one person returned!” Garrison wrote, tagging #wheresgabby, #FindGabby, #fbitampa, and #gabbypetito.

In previous statements, Bertolino has said Laundrie would not be making public statements, nor would he be speaking with police.

Bertolino said, “many people are wondering why Mr. Laundrie would not make a statement or speak with law enforcement in the face of Ms. Petito's absence."

"In my experience, intimate partners are often the first person law enforcement focuses their attention on in cases like this, and the warning that 'any statement made will be used against you' is true, regardless of whether my client had anything to do with Ms. Petito's disappearance," Bertolino said, adding, "As such, on the advice of counsel Mr. Laundrie is not speaking on this matter."

Bertolino said he has been informed by police that his client is a person of interest, but the "formality has not really changed the circumstances of Mr. Laundrie being the focus and attention of law enforcement and Mr. Laundrie will continue to remain silent on the advice of counsel."

Petito had been traveling by van with Laundrie on a tour of the national parks system since early July. The last time she spoke with her mother, Nichole Schmidt, was Aug. 25, and when she did not respond to a text conversation from late August, Schmidt became worried.

In a text at the end of August, Petito told Schmidt that she was headed to Yellowstone National Park. It is believed that before her last communication with family that she was in Grand Teton Park in Wyoming.

Petito was reported missing on Saturday.

Petito is described as white, standing about 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighing about 110 pounds. She has blonde hair and blue eyes, and several tattoos, including one on her finger, as well as one on her forearm that reads "let it be,” as well as another with a triangle and a rose.

Police are advising members of the public that if they have any information on Petito's disappearance, to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.