For some time now, Duane Chapman has been searching for 23-year-old Brian Laundrie. Brian is a person of interest in relation to the death of his fiancée, 22-year-old Gabby Petitot.
The couple had been traveling across the country in a van they took to various national parks. Brian eventually drove the van home to his parents’ residence in North Port, Florida, but Gabby was not with him.
Gabby was reported missing on September 11. Her body was discovered in the Bridger–Teton National Forest in Wyoming eight days later (September 19). Teton County Coroner Dr. Brent Blue determined the manner of death was homicide.
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Brian’s whereabouts have been unknown since mid-September. Authorities have been searching for him ever since, with their main focus being on the Carlton Reserve.
Duane, also known as Dog the Bounty Hunter, joined the search in late September. The reality star was actually in Florida on his honeymoon with his new wife, Francie Frane. He knocked on the door of the Laundrie home on September 25, but no one emerged to speak to him.
Dog the bounty hunter at the house https://t.co/C4o7kSmc4m
— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) September 25, 2021
After that, Dog took off on the hunt for Laundrie. He said he has been getting a constant stream of leads as to where Brian may be hiding.
Since joining the search, Dog discovered a few items he believes may be Brian’s. He has focused on an area around a campground in Fort De Soto Park, but also believes Brian could be hiding out along the Appalachian Trail.
Dog’s search has been ongoing for weeks at this point. But for the time being, it has to come to a halt.
WFLA News Channel 8‘s Josh Benson, who has been communicating with Dog and his team over the course of the past few weeks, took to Twitter to share an update on Dog’s search. According to Josh, Dog suffered an injury in Florida, and has to cease searching for Brian.
“Just got an update from Dog the Bounty Hunter’s team,” Josh said. “They say he’s headed back to Colorado soon to meet with his doctor after injuring his ankle in the search.”
DOG. Just got an update from Dog the Bounty Hunter’s team. They say he’s headed back to Colorado soon to meet with his doctor after injuring his ankle in the search. He’s also raising funds to continue what he calls an ‘expensive search’. (1/2) #BrianLaundrie @DogBountyHunter
— Josh Benson (@WFLAJosh) October 10, 2021
In a followup Tweet, Josh said Dog has put together a team to continue the search while he is away. Dog plans to keep sorting through the leads and tips he receives in the meantime.
“Team says he’s put together a talented network of local team members he calls the ‘Florida Team’ that will continue the search while he’s gone,” Josh explained. “He says he will continue to process leads in Colorado while he’s there.”
Team says he’s put together a talented network of local team members he calls the ‘Florida Team’ that will continue the search while he’s gone. He says he will continue to process leads in Colorado while he’s there. (2/2) #BrianLaundrie @DogBountyHunter
— Josh Benson (@WFLAJosh) October 10, 2021
Dog’s daughter, Lyssa Chapman, also spoke about her father’s temporary departure from the search. She did not address his injury directly, but rather, said he was going back to Colorado to “handle some business.”
Even though Dog is leaving Florida, Lyssa emphasized that he is not giving up on the hunt. “We are still actively searching for #BrianLaundrie, leaving a team in place in Florida. As always, whatever I can share with you, I will,” she said.
Look below to read Lyssa’s full update.