Brian Laundrie Search: FAA Bans Flying 3 Nautical Miles Around Carlton Reserve

VENICE, FL — The Federal Aviation Administration has restricted the air space for security reasons above the Carlton Reserve, where teams are entering their seventh day searching for Brian Laundrie.

Laundrie, 23, of North Port, has been called a person of interest in the homicide of his fiancee, Gabby Petito, 22.

The new flight restrictions come less than a day after a federal arrest warrant was issued for Laundrie, who was last seen Sept. 14 departing for the Carlton Reserve. The arrest warrant, issued by the U.S. District Court in Wyoming, charges Laundrie with the use of unauthorized devices, specifically a bank card and account. He is accused of withdrawing more than $1,000 from an unnamed account between Aug. 30 and Sept. 1.

The temporary flight restrictions, which cover a 3-nautical-mile radius, are set to last through Oct. 1. “No pilot may operate an aircraft in the areas covered by this NOTAM,” the FAA said, referring to “Notice to Airmen.” The restriction was also raised from about 400 feet to 1,200 feet, photojournalist Paul Lamison told WKRG News.

Laundrie and Petito, engaged to be married, were on a cross-country trek and living in a van, when Petito died in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Laundrie returned to his parents' home in Florida, refused to talk to investigators about his fiancee's absence, then left home on Sept. 14. His parents reported him missing Sept. 17.

Petito's remains were found Sept. 19, and her death confirmed as a homicide on Sept. 21. A native of Long Island, New York, her family reported Gabby missing Sept. 11 after they lost contact with her.

Related:

• Brian Laundrie Indicted, Sought By FBI On Arrest Warrant
• Gabby Petito Was An Artist 'Who Loved Living Life'

At 9:19 a.m. Friday, North Port Police confirmed their search for Laundrie at the Carlton Reserve will continue. Authorities said 75 personnel from 16 different federal, state and local agencies have been searching for Laundrie in the inhospitable terrain for days using underwater dive teams, K-9 units, drones and more.

The Sarasota Sheriff’s Department estimates the search is costing tens of thousands of dollars.

Still, after a week of searching, officers have come up short. Some search-and-rescue agents have speculated that Laundrie lied to his parents about where he was going when he left their house, while others have suggested Laundrie’s parents were not forthcoming to authorities about his location.

Still, Petito's best friend, Rose Davis, told People magazine Laundrie has spent a week in the Appalachian wilderness, and believes he can survive in the Florida swamp.

"He's out there. He is," Davis said. "If he's alive, he's out there, camping out. ... He lived in the Appalachians by himself for months."

Stuart Kaplan, a former FBI agent, told Fox 13 News he believes the teams are searching the area for evidence rather than Laundrie himself.

“I think it’s more that they believe, or that they have some information, and it’s probably again because there’s been digital footprints that have been left behind,” Kaplan said.

People all over the internet have been reporting potential sightings of Laundrie. Most have been debunked. The latest theory gaining traction is a photo shared to Twitter of a diner in Merida, Mexico, who looks like Laundrie. Many online sleuths think Laundrie is in Mexico due to the current chaos at the border.

On Thursday, a new witness came forth. Norma Jean Jalovec, a seasonal Wyoming resident from Florida, told Fox News Digital that she picked up Laundrie on Aug. 29 and dropped him off around 6:30 MT at the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area, where Petito’s remains were later discovered. Jalovec said Laundrie asked her to drop him off at the gate to the campground, which consists of a single long road. She offered to drive him inside, but Laundrie reportedly insisted that he be let out of the moving vehicle.

Earlier in the week, a woman named Miranda Baker said in a series of TikTok videos that she picked up Laundrie in Wyoming on the same day, which was two days after Petito was last seen.

Anyone with information about Laundrie or Petito is asked to call 800-CALL-FBI, or 800-225-5324.

Related:

• GoFundMe Will Continue Helping Gabby Petito's Family: Organizer
• Grassroots Effort To Light The Night For Gabby Petito