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Florida Park Confirms Brian Laundrie and Family Stayed at Campground After Gabby Petito Disappearance

It looks like Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman was on to something. The Florida park that Chapman recently searched did in fact play host to Gabby Petito’s boyfriend Brian Laundrie and his family earlier this month.

Fox News has confirmed that Laundrie’s mother, Roberta, checked into Fort De Soto Park near St. Petersburg on Sept. 6. Records obtained by the outlet reportedly show that the family then checked out on Sept. 8.

Chapman had announced that he was joining the search for Laundrie on Saturday. Tips piled up over the weekend, and by Monday, Chapman felt he had a solid lead. So he headed to Fort De Soto Park, where, he said, he heard three people came in on Sept. 6 and two people left on Sept. 8.

Laundrie’s Attorney Throws Shade at Chapman

Steven Bertolino, Laundrie’s attorney, appeared to be miffed about Chapman’s entrance into the search for Laundrie.

“I will no longer give that dog credibility or dignify his false claims with the time of my reply,” Bertolino told Fox. At the same time, he admitted to Florida media outlets that the family camped out in the park on Sept. 6 and 7. He claimed they all left the park.

Laundrie and Gabby Petito had been living together in Florida before they made their way out west in a white Ford converted camper van. They were headed for Grand Teton National Park when things started to unravel. Petito made her final social media post on Aug. 25. Laundrie returned alone to Florida, arriving Sept. 1.

It’s unclear what Laundrie told his parents, but between Sept. 1 and Sept. 11, when Petito’s family reported her missing, Laundrie and his family apparently made no effort to search for their former housemate.

On Sept. 19, Petito’s body was discovered in Teton-Bridger National Forest. The Teton County coroner ruled her death a homicide.

Chapman Wonders Why Laundries Went Camping With Gabby Petito Still Missing

Meanwhile, Chapman is not giving up the search. On Tuesday, he raised questions about why the Laundries were off camping while Petito was still missing.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has obtained an arrest warrant for Laundrie. But they’ll have to catch him first. The week before last, Laundrie went missing. His parents waited until three days after they say he left on a hike to report his disappearance.

A Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office spokesman told Fox that they are not investigating Fort De Soto at this time.