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By Evelyn Romo |

Florida cops suspend search for Gabby Petito’s boyfriend until morning

The family of Gabby Petito, the young Florida woman who disappeared while on a cross-country trip with her boyfriend, believe he has fled, after reports surfaced that he is missing.

Petito hasn’t been heard from since Aug. 30, while her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, returned alone in her van to the Florida home they shared without reporting Gabby missing.

“All of Gabby’s family want the world to know that Brian is not missing, he is hiding. Gabby is missing,” the statement, issued late Friday, read from the office of attorney Richard B. Stafford.

As of Saturday night, the search for the now-missing fiancé of 22-year-old Gabby Petito is focused on a Florida nature reserve, where 50 officers from five local agencies and FBI agents scoured the area Saturday, according to North Port Police spokesperson Josh Taylor.

Brian Laundrie’s family told police Friday night they have not seen the 23-year-old since Tuesday. Police said at that time Laundrie is not wanted for a crime, and that authorities are working “multiple missing person investigations.”

Investigators were searching for Laundrie at the “vast Carlton Reserve” near Venice, Florida, North Port Police said on Twitter Saturday. The search effort included the use of drones and bloodhounds who had used articles of Laundrie’s clothing taken from his home to get his scent, according to police.

The search ended Saturday evening due to darkness and will resume Sunday morning, North Port Police said in a tweet.

Laundrie still has not said a word about Petito’s whereabouts, even as her family demanded answers and protestors gathered outside his home.

The family believes Laundrie knows more more about her disappearance.