FATHER'S GRIEF
GABBY Petito’s dad has opened up about his heartache over his missing daughter, fearing he “won’t hug her on Christmas” again.
Joseph Petito took to Instagram Friday night to reveal he just had a "break down."
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"I grab a bottle of whiskey, and took a walk in the rain. I cried, a lot. There’s a chance I won’t see her again. I won’t hear hear voice on New Years, or hug her on Christmas. I broke down," he captioned a photo of his daughter.
"But then I stopped feeling sorry for myself and remembered there’s a job that’s not done. There’s a good chance we bring her home safe. So a picked myself, and I am going back to work. Don’t lose Hope."
The news comes as Brian Laundrie, the boyfriend of missing Gabby Petito, is now missing himself and hasn’t been seen for days, according to cops.
The FBI is now looking for both Petito and Laundrie, after Petito was reported missing on September 11.
“The attorney for the Laundrie family called FBI investigators Friday night, indicating the family would like to talk about the disappearance of their son. The family now claims that they have not seen Brian since Tuesday of this week,” Josh Taylor, a public information officer for the North Port Police said.
Officers who visited the Laundrie family home Friday had a “conversation” and stayed for about two and a half hours before leaving without anyone in custody.
Police officers were seen going into the Laundrie family home as protesters stood outside yelling: "Justice for Gabby" and "Bring Gabby Home."
“Friday is the first time they have spoken with investigators in detail. It is important to note that while Brian is a person of interest in Gabby’s disappearance, he is not wanted for a crime,” Officer Taylor added in a statement Friday.
“We are not currently working a crime investigation. We are now working a multiple missing person investigations,” he said.
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Earlier, Laundrie's attorney said: "Be advised, the whereabouts of Brian Laundrie are currently unknown.
"The FBI is currently at the Laundrie residence removing property to assist in locating Brian."
Gabby Petito’s family have accused her fiance Brian Laundrie of "hiding".
"All of Gabby’s family want the world to know that Brian is not missing. He is hiding. Gabby is missing", a statement released late Friday from the missing Long Island woman's relatives read.
Read our Gabby Petito live blog for the very latest news and updates...
North Port Police Chief Todd Garrison wrote on Twitter: "Once we have the details, a statement will be made. We ask for calm!
"Please let us work through this and information will be forthcoming."
The latest shock development comes as it emerged:
- Laundrie allegedly hitch-hiked alone with a TikToker after Gabby disappeared.
- Gabby last called her family just miles from an infamous 'zone of death'.
- A body language expert said Gabby's behaviour in police bodycam footage may hold clues.
Laundrie's disappearance comes after his 22-year-old fiance went missing on a cross-country road trip they took together over the summer.
Laundrie is believed to have driven home alone in Gabby's white Ford Transit van to Florida on September 1 - but Gabby was not reported missing until September 11, weeks after her family had last heard from her.
Petito was last seen on August 24 in Salt Lake City, Utah, before traveling to at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming on August 25, where she made a final call to her family before a planned a trip to Yellowstone National Park.
A later message from Petito's phone to her family said she had poor signal in Yeosemtie, California - although it's not clear whether she sent the message or not.
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On Tuesday, Laundrie released a statement through his lawyer saying his family would remain "in the background" as the investigation unfolds.
"This is an extremely difficult time for both the Petito family and the Laundrie family," the statement said.
"I understand that a search has been organized for Miss Petito in or near Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. On behalf of the Laundrie family it is our hope that the search for Miss Petito is successful and that Miss Petito is re-united with her family.
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"On the advice of counsel the Laundrie family is remaining in the background at this juncture and will have no further comment."
On Thursday, Laundrie's sister, Cassie Laundrie, spoke out on ABC's GMA and said: "All I want is for her to come home safe and found."
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Gabby Petito's fiance Brian Laundrie 'offered $200 to TikToker to give him a ride as he hiked ALONE', user claims
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