Apparent human remains found near Brian Laundrie's belongings, FBI says
The FBI confirmed Wednesday that authorities have found "what appears to be human remains" at the site where they were searching for Brian Laundrie. Michael McPherson, special agent in charge of the FBI's Tampa field office, also said authorities found personal items nearby — including a backpack and notebook — that they believe belong to Laundrie.
The suspected human remains were found in an area previously underwater, the FBI said. Authorities are investigating whether the remains belong to Brian Laundrie.
"I know you have a lot of questions," McPherson said. "But we don't have all the answers yet."
One source told CBS News that only "a small part" of a body has been found, which will complicate identification efforts.
Earlier Wednesday, the Laundrie family attorney told CBS affiliate WTSP that items belonging to Brian Laundrie were found Wednesday morning near a trail he frequented in a Florida park that connects to the Carlton reserve.
The manhunt for Laundrie, who is named a person of interest in the disappearance of his late fiancée Gabby Petito, has stretched on for weeks.
Petito, who was 22 at the time of her death, was reported missing on September 11, 10 days after Laundrie returned home from a cross-country trip without her. Her body was found on September 19 in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park.
In mid-October, the Teton County coroner determined that Petito was strangled to death, and that the manner of death was a homicide. He said he believed that her body had been outside for three to four weeks before it was found.
Laundrie has not been charged in Petito's death. But a court in Wyoming issued an arrest warrant for him in late September, accusing him of engaging in the unauthorized use of a debit card to make unauthorized withdrawals of more than $1,000 between August 30 and September 1.
Petito's family has pleaded for weeks for Laundrie to turn himself in. Laundrie's parents have insisted they do not know where their son is and have not helped him evade detection.
Pat Milton, Jeff Pegues and Andres Triay contributed reporting.
Family attorney confirms Laundries were at the reserve when the remains were found
The attorney for the Laundrie family, Steven Bertolino, confirmed to CBS News that Laundrie's parents were at the Carlton reserve when the remains and some of their son's belongings were found. Bertolino said the family would not comment further until the remains are identified.
FBI confirms "apparent human remains" found at site
Michael McPherson, special agent in charge of the FBI's Tampa field office, told reporters Wednesday that authorities found "apparent human remains" while searching for Brian Laundrie in Florida. McPherson said the remains were found near personal belongings of Brian Laundrie's, in an area that was recently underwater.
Suspected human remains found at Brian Laundrie search site, source says
A law enforcement source confirms to CBS News that suspected human remains have been found at the Carlton reserve in Florida, and authorities are investigating whether they belong to Brian Laundrie. Shannon Clowe, a reporter from local CBS affiliate WTSP, joined CBSN's Tanya Rivero for the latest on this case.
"A small part" of a body has been found, source says
Law enforcement sources told CBS News' Jeff Pegues that it will take some time to positively identify the suspected human remains. One source said only "a small part" of a body has been found, complicating identification efforts.
A law enforcement source also told Pegues that a backpack has been recovered. It is not clear who the backpack belongs to.
Apparent human remains found near Brian Laundrie's backpack and notebook, FBI says
The FBI said apparent human remains were found near some of Brian Laundrie's personal belongings in a Florida reserve on Wednesday morning. The agency will likely be on scene for several days as the investigation continues. Watch Michael McPherson, special agent in charge of the FBI's Tampa field office, speak to reporters.