Brian Laundrie’s mom Roberta is hit by claims she had a BURNER PHONE: FBI refuses to confirm or deny

Growing speculation that Brian Laundrie’s mother could be using a burner phone has not been denied by the FBI or the family lawyer – as the hunt for the prime suspect in Gabby Petito’s murder continues.  

Reporters in Tampa approached the FBI after internet sleuths showed screen grabs that show Dog the Bounty Hunter’s daughter Lyssa Chapman appearing to confirm the FBI believe Roberta Laundrie is using a burner phone.

It has not been suggested that she is  using the burner phone to communicate with her son.

‘We do not confirm or deny contact with any individual or entity in order to preserve their privacy, as such, we do not confirm or deny the receipt of any tip. We have no additional comment,’ the FBI said, according to 10 Tampa Bay reporter Shannon Clowe

Lyssa Chapman, tweeted that the FBI confirmed the accusations that Roberta is in possession of a burner phone but did not present any evidence of the confirmation. 

The Laundrie family attorney, Steven Bertolino, had ‘no comment.’  

Internet sleuths have claimed that Brian is using a burner phone after allegedly noticing changes to his Instagram and Spotify accounts since he disappeared two weeks ago.  

The FBI refused to confirm or deny the allegations as Steven Bertolino, the Laundrie family attorney, declined to comment 

Lyssa Chapman, Duane Chapman's (Dog the Bounty Hunter) daughter, tweeted that the FBI confirmed the accusations but did not share evidence of their statement

Lyssa Chapman, Duane Chapman’s (Dog the Bounty Hunter) daughter, tweeted that the FBI confirmed the accusations but did not share evidence of their statement

Roberta Laundrie (right) has been accused of using a burner phone to keep in contact with her son, Brian, who is currently wanted by the police (Pictured: Christopher (left) and Roberta (right) Laundrie visited their attorney in Orlando on Thursday)

Roberta Laundrie (right) has been accused of using a burner phone to keep in contact with her son, Brian, who is currently wanted by the police (Pictured: Christopher (left) and Roberta (right) Laundrie visited their attorney in Orlando on Thursday)

The Laundries reported their son missing on September 17. An extensive search for Brian has been underway since he was named a person of interest in the murder of his fiancé Gabby Petito (Pictured: Christopher (left) and Roberta (right) Laundrie  were tailed on Thursday by what is believed to have been FBI agents)

The Laundries reported their son missing on September 17. An extensive search for Brian has been underway since he was named a person of interest in the murder of his fiancé Gabby Petito (Pictured: Christopher (left) and Roberta (right) Laundrie  were tailed on Thursday by what is believed to have been FBI agents)

His Instagram account reportedly went live for three seconds on Monday showing waves and just a peak of an olive green boat, according to Inside Edition. 

The account also allegedly unfollowed several people. 

There have also been claims online that Brian’s Spotify playlist name changed from ‘Selfconsomption’ to ‘Nomatic Statik.’ The playlist was reportedly created after Petito’s disappearance.

Brian has been named a person of interest in the investigation into his fiancé Gabby Petito’s death. Her remains were found in Wyoming and her death ruled a homicide after she was reported missing on September 11. 

Dog the Bounty Hunter joined the search for Brian on Saturday and was quickly flooded with tips, one of which claimed that the Laundrie family spent the night in Fort De Soto Park with their son twice after he came back alone from Wyoming in early September. 

Brian (left) has also been accused of using a burner phone after activity to his social media accounts were allegedly spotted by people online

Brian (left) has also been accused of using a burner phone after activity to his social media accounts were allegedly spotted by people online 

Petito, (right) was found dead in Wyoming after Brian (left) returned from their cross-country 'van life' trip without her on September 1

Petito, (right) was found dead in Wyoming after Brian (left) returned from their cross-country ‘van life’ trip without her on September 1

The Laundrie family camper was seen parked in their driveway in North Point, Florida on September 13

The Laundrie family camper was seen parked in their driveway in North Point, Florida on September 13 

Records show that the Laundrie family checked into the Fort De Soto campground from September 6 to 8- two days before Petito was reported missing

Records show that the Laundrie family checked into the Fort De Soto campground from September 6 to 8- two days before Petito was reported missing 

Dog the Bounty Hunter, real name Duane Chapman, joined the search for Brian on Saturday and received a tip about the Laundrie's stay at Fort De Soto

Dog the Bounty Hunter, real name Duane Chapman, joined the search for Brian on Saturday and received a tip about the Laundrie’s stay at Fort De Soto

Dog told TV reporter Brian Entin Monday night that Laundrie’s parents spent the night in Fort De Soto in Pinellas County, Florida, from September 1 to 3, staying in spot number 1.

They returned again with Brian to stay on spot 15 from September 6 to 8, he further claims.

Records have since confirmed that Roberta checked into the park outside of St. Petersburg on September 6 and left on September 8- three days before Petito was reported missing, according to Fox News.   

The records obtained by Fox News did not show the Laundrie family staying at the park from September 1 to 3. 

‘I will no longer give that dog credibility or dignify his false claims with the time of my reply,’ Bertolino, told Fox News.  

Another camper whos name appeared on the ledger was celebrating his anniversary with his wife three spots down from the Laundries. 

Thomas Rutherford told Fox News that he could ‘vaguely remember’ spotting the Laundries’ vehicle, which they noted due to the novelty of seeing a camper attached to a vehicle.   

Since the tip lead investigators to the Florida park about 75 miles north of North Port, it has been revealed that Brian and Petito have stayed at the campsite before. 

Dog the Bounty Hunter said Monday night that Brian Laundrie's parents spent the night in Fort De Soto from September 1 to 3, staying in spot number 1. The camping site is seen in exclusive DailyMail.com photos

Dog the Bounty Hunter said Monday night that Brian Laundrie’s parents spent the night in Fort De Soto from September 1 to 3, staying in spot number 1. The camping site is seen in exclusive DailyMail.com photos 

The campsite is located at the Fort De Soto campground in Pinellas County, Florida, close to St Petersburg

The campsite is located at the Fort De Soto campground in Pinellas County, Florida, close to St Petersburg

'Really nice campground, beautiful area with many hikes and easy walks, the beach, historic sites, really nice camp store and well maintained sites!' Gabby and Brian said in a review of the campsite during their visit two months ago (pictured)

‘Really nice campground, beautiful area with many hikes and easy walks, the beach, historic sites, really nice camp store and well maintained sites!’ Gabby and Brian said in a review of the campsite during their visit two months ago (pictured) 

An extensive search for Laundrie has been underway since his parents reported him missing on September 17 - two days after he was named a person of interest in the homicide of Petito, whose remains were found on September 19

An extensive search for Laundrie has been underway since his parents reported him missing on September 17 – two days after he was named a person of interest in the homicide of Petito, whose remains were found on September 19

In more snaps Gabby is seen reading a true crime novel book on the beach, exploring the dunes and holding a starfish in the palm of her hand

In more snaps Gabby is seen reading a true crime novel book on the beach, exploring the dunes and holding a starfish in the palm of her hand

In more snaps Gabby is seen reading a true crime novel book on the beach, exploring the dunes and holding a starfish in the palm of her hand

Two months ago, the pair uploaded a series of photos to hiking website The Dyrt that show them relaxing on the beach and exploring the Fort De Soto campground.  

A spokesman for the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office told DailyMail.com that there is no search underway and the only activity at the 1,130-acre site Tuesday was a handful of media helicopters circling overhead.

A spokeswoman for the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said: ‘We are not conducting an investigation at Fort De Soto. We are unaware of any confirmed sightings of Brian.’ 

Dog continues to push the idea that Laundrie could be there, hopping from island to island in a canoe to evade detection.

The Laundries maintained their silence Tuesday when they were seen leaving home mid-morning to buy groceries at Walmart. They have not publicly commented on Brian’s disappearance or the slaying of his fiancé. 

In one photo from the fateful couple’s visit, Laundrie and Gabby are seen peering through the bars of a jail cell at an old fort. In more snaps, Gabby is seen reading a true crime novel book on the beach, exploring the dunes and holding a starfish in the palm of her hand.

‘Really nice campground, beautiful area with many hikes and easy walks, the beach, historic sites, really nice camp store and well maintained sites!’ the couple said in a review.

Based around a fort built in 1900, Fort De Soto contains more than seven miles of waterfront, eleven floating docks and multiple places to launch kayaks and canoes. 

Dog believes that Laundrie could be in this area, hopping from island to island in a canoe to evade detection

Dog believes that Laundrie could be in this area, hopping from island to island in a canoe to evade detection

Based around a fort built in 1900, Fort De Soto contains more than seven miles of waterfront, eleven floating docks and multiple places to launch kayaks and canoes

Based around a fort built in 1900, Fort De Soto contains more than seven miles of waterfront, eleven floating docks and multiple places to launch kayaks and canoes

Dog is adamant that Brian could be hopping from island to island in a kayak or canoe at the Fort De Soto camping site

Dog is adamant that Brian could be hopping from island to island in a kayak or canoe at the Fort De Soto camping site 

Petito and Brian visited the De Soto campground together according to their review on The Dyrt

Petito and Brian visited the De Soto campground together according to their review on The Dyrt

Search efforts have so far been concentrated at the Carlton Reserve – an alligator-infested watery 25,000-acre site 13 miles north of the Laundrie family home in North Port.

‘Allegedly, what we’re hearing, is two people left on the 8th,’ said Chapman.

‘Three people came in on the 6th, and two people left on the 8th. I think he’s been here for sure.’

A Fox News Digital reporter overheard a park worker say investigators had checked surveillance video on the grounds. 

Brian was charged with ‘use of unauthorized access device’ last Thursday, but said they will ‘continue to investigate the facts and circumstances of Ms. Petito’s homicide.’

An extensive search for Brian has been underway since his parents reported him missing on September 17 – two days after he was named a person of interest in Petito’s case. 

A group of 75 officers from more than 16 agencies joined the search last week, using drones, diver units, dogs and ATV vehicles to comb the 25,000-acre preserve since his parents reported that Brian might be there.

Over 100 miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails are contained in the park, along with camping areas and rivers. Wildlife there includes alligators, bobcats, snakes and coyotes.

Florida cattle rancher Alan McEwen, who lives outside the Carlton Reserve, has spent 30 years exploring the area and said it’s not somewhere humans can easily live. He has been assisting police in their search for Brian. 

‘There’s no surviving out here, I don’t know how to say it,’ he told Fox News.

‘I’ve been in the woods in and out all my life. I have learned a lot in my life, and one thing I know is no one is gonna survive out there for two weeks on foot.’

Dog vowed to find him before his 24th birthday on November 18. Seattle’s Boohoof Law offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to his capture.



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