Dog the Bounty Hunter thinks Brian Laundrie is still alive due to him being a “survivalist” and having experience with the outdoors. The 23-year-old has been missing since September 17, when his family reported his disappearance to law enforcement.
Reality television star Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman has been leading a high-profile search for Laundrie in Florida. However, even with law enforcement, marines, Navy seals and a K-9 unit on the hunt, Laundrie is yet to be found.
“I would assume he is alive. Not alive and doing well, but he’s alive,” Chapman said in the latest update on the search.
Speaking to TMZ, Chapman said he believes that Laundrie is not suicidal and that he is well-equipped to surviving in the wilderness.
“There’s no evidence of him being suicidal like that anywhere, and he didn’t say that to anyone,” Chapman explained.
“And if you go to his Instagram pages and look at what kind of person he really is—and the books that he reads, and especially his very favorite books—that’s not books for suicidal people.”
Laundrie vanished after he returned home alone from a cross-country trip. He had been traveling with his girlfriend Gabby Petito, 22, whose remains were found in Wyoming on September 19. Officials ruled her death was due to homicide. Named as a person of interest in Petito’s disappearance, a nationwide manhunt for Laundrie was sparked in late September.
Chapman and his team have been searching islands near Fort De Soto Park in Pinellas County, Florida and the professional bounty hunter believes Laundrie has been hiding in the Everglades.
“He’s a survivalist, he’s been on the Appalachian mountains for two months at a time by himself,” Chapman said.
“Is he here right now? I’m not sure. Was he here a few days ago? Absolutely. But he could have got out during the night, and he would have to have help, I guess it might be from close to a family member and, you know, he’s taken off somewhere else.
“I do not believe that he’s in Mexico or Brazil. I’ve been to Mexico and if they know you’re wanted and you’re a Caucasian American, they’re gonna turn you in for the reward.”
On Sunday night, Chapman and his team confirmed that they turned over evidence to authorities.
“Dog has turned over evidence to the authorities including items found on one of the islands near Fort De Soto Park. It is his hope that DNA can be assessed to prove Laundries’ presence,” his team said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Chapman said that the search is becoming more dangerous.
“Tracking a fugitive is a marathon, not a sprint,” a spokesperson for Chapman’s team said in a statement to Newsweek.
“We are continuing to search for Brian Laundrie. The longer he is on the run, the more dangerous this becomes.”
Dog the Bounty Hunter Says Search For Brian Laundrie is Becoming ‘More Dangerous’
Duane Chapman, aka Dog the Bounty Hunter, has said that the search for Brian Laundrie is becoming more dangerous.
The reality television star is on the hunt for the fugitive. Laundrie went missing after returning alone from a trip with his fiance Gabby Petito, whose remains were found in Wyoming last month.
Chapman has been leading a high-profile search for the 24-year-old in Florida, where he was last seen.
Chapman and his team are being aided by law enforcement, a K-9 unit and thousands of tips from members of the public. They are continuing to search islands near Fort De Soto Park in Pinellas County, Florida.
However, despite finding a campsite and possible evidence of Laundrie’s presence, the search remains ongoing.
Law enforcement officials have been searching for Laundrie since his family reported him missing on September 17.
“Tracking a fugitive is a marathon, not a sprint,” a spokesperson for Chapman’s team said in a statement to Newsweek on Sunday night.
“We are continuing to search for Brian Laundrie. The longer he is on the run, the more dangerous this becomes.”
Chapman’s team confirmed that they are now assessing evidence and evaluating next steps.
“Dog and team appreciate the thousands of tips pouring into the tip line and urge people to report tips to the FBI as well as his tip line,” the spokesperson said.
The team also confirmed on Sunday night that that evidence has been handed over to authorities with the hope that DNA testing proves Laundrie’s presence.
“Dog has turned over evidence to the authorities including items found on one of the islands near Fort De Soto Park. It is his hope that DNA can be assessed to prove Laundries’ presence,” his team confirmed.
“In addition, he has had multiple conversations with law enforcement.”
Chapman has added money toward the reward for any information leading to Laundrie’s arrest bringing the total sum to $180,000.
On Thursday, Champan’s spokesperson told Newsweek that he “does not care who brings Laundrie in, just that he is apprehended.”
You May Also Like:
