Attorney for Brian Laundrie, missing person Gabby Petito's boyfriend, addresses those 'wondering' why he won't speak to authorities
- The attorney for Gabby Petito's boyfriend explained why Brian Laundrie won't speak to authorities.
- Laundrie was deemed a person of interest in Petito's disappearance by Florida police on Wednesday.
- Petito's family publicly called out Laundrie on Tuesday for refusing to help in the investigation.
The attorney for Brian Laundrie, whose girlfriend, Gabby Petito, was reported missing on September 11, explained why Laundrie won't speak to the authorities about the case, a statement released by the family's attorney said.
"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," the statement from attorney Steven Bertolino said. "As such, on the advice of counsel, Mr. Laundrie is not speaking on this matter."
Laundrie was deemed a person of interest in the case of Petito's disappearance, Florida police said on Wednesday. They added that Laundrie was "hindering this investigation."
"This 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," the statement by Laundrie's attorney said in response to Laundrie being named a person of interest.
Petito's family publicly called out Laundrie on Tuesday for refusing to help them find Petito. They told him, "At least tell us if we are looking in the right area."
Petito and Laundrie set out on a cross-country road trip from New York on July 2 in a white converted camper van, documenting their travels on social media along the way.
Petito's family in New York reported her missing to local police on September 11. Ten days prior, Laundrie had returned home to North Port, Florida, with the van but without Petito.