As the search for fugitive Brian Laundrie enters its fifth week, experts are now looking to his parents, Roberta and Chris Laundrie, for signs of unusual behavior. The two have been very quiet about Gabby Petito’s disappearance and subsequent death since she was reported missing in September. While journalists and so-called sleuths camp outside the Laundrie family home, the couple remain silent.
As the Laundrie family attorney, Steven Bertolino, advised them to not speak with anyone regarding Petito, more and more people are becoming frustrated with their lack of help.
Gabby Petito went missing after traveling with boyfriend Brian Laundrie sometime in late August. Her body was discovered September 19 in Wyoming – where the couple had been camping. Her death was ruled a homicide by manual strangulation. Before Brian Laundrie could be questioned, he too disappeared. A major manhunt for the person of interest is ongoing. However, no leads have panned out.
Since that time, both Roberta and Chris Laundrie continue to go about their day to day lives, though with many people scrutinizing their every move. From pumping gas, store runs, and even gardening, the Laundries don’t appear to show any emotion while in the public eye.
Laundrie Behavior ‘Emotionless’
According to The Sun, body language expert Patti Wood said: “He’s (Chris) making a choice just to go on with the activity and ignore the journalists who are asking questions.
“I see that resignation in the way he’s holding the lawnmower. He’s thinking ‘I’m resigned to carrying out that task’. He’s trying not to show any emotion.”
She went on to add:
“In grief and stress, people do go about their normal activities so it’s not unusual for people to do things that maintain their life. The way the woman passes the shovel seems a little bit shallow. It makes us curious – it seems odd.”
Laundries Don’t Answer Questions About Gabby Petito
Wood also explains that when Chris was questioned about whether he told the FBI the full truth about everything he knows, his body language seemed strange.
“He flings his hand and arm out, down and away. He brings his shoulder up and he tilts his head and shoulder. That indicates some dissonance with the question. He’s either shrugging it off or he’s not in agreement. They are two very different things.”
However, there’s no indication that either Chris or Roberta Laundrie was not truthful with the authorities. They are not people of interest in the case so far. If it’s proven they know more than they are saying, they could be charged with a crime potentially.
Law enforcement agents have spent millions in resources searching for Brian Laundrie. He was initially thought to be in a 25,000-acre wildlife reserve near Sarasota. But a weeks-long search showed no signs of the 23-year-old. Authorities have also followed tips into New Mexico and North Carolina to no avail.
At the time of her death, Gabby Petito was 22-years-old. Authorities did not release a toxicology report from her autopsy. A Teton County coroner said the woman was dead for three to four weeks before she was found.
