Brian Laundrie's Belongings, Human Remains Found In Florida

ACROSS AMERICA — Good morning! It's Thursday, Oct. 21. Before you head out, catch up on the stories we're following:

• Human remains and Brian Laundrie's belongings were found Wednesday in Florida. Laundrie, 23, is a person of interest in the strangulation death of his girlfriend, 22-year-old Gabby Petito, as they traveled cross-country in a van.
• Two police officers in Maine shot and killed an autistic man in crisis. A witness said the man was backing away from police before the shooting; police said their initial investigation did not indicate that.
• In-N-Out Burger is pushing back against health officials' demands that workers ask customers if they are vaccinated against the coronavirus.
• The Proud Boys — a far-right, neo-facist group — took to the streets of Long Island in New York, scaring some.

Human Remains Found Near Brian Laundrie's Belongings

Partial human remains were found near items belonging to Brian Laundrie, a person of interest in the strangulation death of his fiancée, Gabby Petito, in a North Port park Wednesday. The remains have not yet been identified, and FBI investigators will be at the site for several days, an official said. The remains were found near a backpack and a notebook at Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park, Michael McPherson, special agent in charge with the FBI's Tampa office, said during a news conference from the park. » Unidentified Human Remains, Brian Laundrie's Belongings Found In Florida, via Sarasota Patch

Witness Said Autistic Man Shot To Death By Police Was Backing Away

Two police officers shot and killed a distressed autistic man armed with a knife last week, although a witness claimed the man had stepped away from the officers before the shooting occurred. The shooting happened Thursday in Augusta, the state's capital. Police said Dustin J. Paradis, 34, was in crisis and threatening people with a knife at a homeless shelter. He also injured one person, police said. » Autistic Man Shot, Killed By Police Was Backing Away: Witness, via Augusta Patch

In-N-Out: We're Not The Vaccination Police

As cities and counties around California enact rules requiring business patrons to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine or a recent negative test result, California fast-food chain In-N-Out has taken a stance: "We refuse to become the vaccination police for any government," company executive Arnie Wensinger said in a statement emailed to Patch. The showdown happened in San Francisco, where the restaurant posted signs about the requirement. But that was not good enough for the local public health department, which wanted employees to ask customers for proof of vaccination and a photo ID before serving them. » In-N-Out Burger: 'We Refuse To Become The Vaccination Police', via San Francisco Patch

Proud Boys March In NY

Members of the Proud Boys — a far-right neo-facist group — took to the streets of Patchogue and Bay Shore Saturday night, some with their face covered and carrying flags, leaving some who witnessed the group shaken. NaTasha McNeil of South Carolina told Patch she had come to Bay Shore last weekend to speak at a diversity event with her non-profit group, Moms Against Racism. She told Patch that as a Black woman, she felt safe as she'd walked downtown on Friday night. » Proud Boys March Through Long Island Streets, via Bay Shore Patch

Real Estate

One of the most expensive homes for sale on Long Island in New York is a $2.4 million waterfront Patchogue mansion:

This Day In History

On this day in 1520, explorer Ferdinand Magellan sailed between the tip of South America and Tierra del Fuego in the strait that was later named after him.

Across Patch

• Citing Cancel Culture, UC Berkeley Scientist Quits, via Berkeley Patch
• Reporter Punched At Gubernatorial Rally In Virginia, via Burke Patch
• NJ Doc's Penis, Breast Enhancements 'Danger' To Public: Officials, via Montclair Patch
• More Mysterious Salmonella Illnesses Found In PA; Source Unknown, via Norristown Patch
• 73-Year-Old Man Shot In Chest During ATM Robbery, via Falls Church Patch
• 10 Most Expensive Massachusetts Homes For Sale, via Across Massachusetts Patch

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