A criminal defense lawyer has said she expects that the fiancé of missing 22-year-old Gabby Petito will soon be arrested in connection with her disappearance after he was named a person of interest by police.
Lara Yeretsian, a Los Angeles-based criminal defense attorney, told Fox News that she believes it is only a matter of time before Brian Laundrie is questioned by police after he returned home to North Port, Florida, earlier this month without Petito and is refusing to talk to authorities.
Petito and Laundrie had embarked on a cross-country trip in June which saw them visit several states in a van. Earlier this week, police in Moab, Utah, released bodycam footage of the couple from August 12 as an officer responded to an altercation between the pair.
Laundrie returned to the couple's home in North Port 10 days before Petito's family reported her missing on September 11.
"I wouldn't be surprised if there's an arrest, an arrest of the fiancé," Yeretsian told Fox News on Thursday.
"Fiancés are going to want to help. Most fiancés who love their girlfriend or their significant other, they're going to do everything in their power to help. This tells me something is not right."
Petito's family have previously expressed their outrage that Laundrie has refused to speak with police about her disappearance.
"Brian, how could you do this to Gabby? You selfishly remain silent while Gabby is all alone in the wilderness," said the statement, released by the family's attorney Richard Stafford. "Brian, your silence is reprehensible! We beg you to do the right thing and help us bring Gabby home."
Protesters have also gathered outside Laundrie's parents home as people demand to know what happened to the 22-year-old.
Cassie Laundrie, the sister of Brian Laundrie, has spoken out about Petitio's disappearance.
"Obviously me and my family want Gabby to be found safe," Cassie Laundrie told ABCs Good Morning America.
"She's like a sister and my children love her, and all I want is for her to come home safe and found and this to be just a big misunderstanding."
In a statement on Wednesday, North Port Police, who are working with the FBI and Suffolk County Police Department, said they are working "around the clock to piece this complex and far-reaching" investigation together while confirming Laundrie is a person of interest in the case.
"As a father, I can imagine the pain and suffering Gabby's family is going through. We are pleading with anyone, including Brian, to share information with us on her whereabouts in the past few weeks," North Port Police Chief Todd Garrison said.
"The lack of information from Brian is hindering this investigation. The answers will eventually come out. We will help find Gabby and we will help find anyone who may be involved in her disappearance."
Brian Laundrie's lawyer, Stephen Bertolino, has been contacted for comment.
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Ewan Palmer is a Newsweek News Reporter based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on US politics, domestic policy ... Read more
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