Marshals Ambush Laundrie Look-Alike On Appalachian Trail; Dad Taken To Small Claims Court

NORTH PORT, FL — A hiker along the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina was ambushed by U.S. marshals while he and his girlfriend napped at a resort because he bears an uncanny resemblance to Brian Laundrie, a person of interest in the homicide of his fiancée, Gabby Petito, who was strangled to death.

More than a month since he was last seen, authorities continue to search for Laundrie, a North Port resident who is also wanted on federal fraud charges.

Laundrie and Petito, both Long Island natives, were traveling across the country visiting national parks this summer when she disappeared at the end of August. Her body was found near Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming on Sept. 19.

Laundrie, who returned to Florida without her Sept. 1, was reported missing Sept. 17, and authorities have been looking for him ever since.

Throughout the ongoing search, protesters have targeted the Laundrie home, demanding that his parents — the subject of speculation that they helped their son escape — share what they know about Petito’s death. Most recently, a protester has taken his father to small claims court, accusing him of tearing down a protest sign.

Authorities have looked into sightings of Laundrie throughout North America from Canada to Mexico. The bulk of their search, though, has focused on the Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County, where Laundrie’s parents said he was going to hike the day he was last seen, and the Appalachian Trail, which he once spent several months hiking alone.

Though the ambushed hiker didn’t share the date that incident occurred, Severin Beckwith of Ithaca told The New Yorker that he and his girlfriend, Anna Frettman, decided to take a break from the trail and checked into the Lodge at Fontana Village Resort.

Related Stories:

• Where Is Brian Laundrie? Gabby Petito's Fiance Fled 1 Month Ago
• Gabby Petito: North Port Memorial, Brian Laundrie Search
• Gabby Petito's Cause Of Death Was Strangulation: Coroner
• Laundrie Custody Rumors, Sarasota Sightings Denied: Police
• Brian Laundrie: Father Helps Search Thursday; Campsite Found
• 'Sadly, Gabby Petito's Story Is A Common One:' Experts Speak
• Brian Laundrie Used Gabby Petito's Credit Card, Attorney Says
• Gabby Petito's Mom 'Felt It In Her Heart' She Was Dead: Dr. Phil
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While they were sleeping, marshals first knocked on the door to their room, then burst into it before the couple let them in.

“Next thing I see is a bunch of guys with riot shields with ‘U.S. Marshals’ written on them,” Beckwith said. “Handguns pointed at my face.”

He was handcuffed and brought into the hallway, where marshals noted Beckwith’s similarities to the fugitive, including the upper part of his inner ear and beard.

After he showed his ID to authorities and they realized he didn’t have the same tattoos as Laundrie, he was let go, the New Yorker reported.

Laundrie’s Father Taken To Small Claims Court

Protesters, often with bullhorns, and media have gathered outside the Laundries' Wabasso Avenue home in North Port since Petito was reported missing, even before Laundrie was declared a person of interest in her disappearance and death.

Signs, stuffed animals and other items have been left on the Laundrie’s lawn or near their home over the past several weeks.

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Now, a protester is taking Laundrie’s father, Chris Laundrie, to small claims court. According to court records, Andra Griffin of Bradenton is seeking damages less than $100. They’ll appear in court Dec. 1.

According to OK!, Griffin is seeking $40 for a stolen protest sign that read “What if it was Cassie.” This is a reference to the Laundrie’s sister, Cassie Laundrie.

Griffin made the sign on Friday and claims that Chris Laundrie removed the sign Saturday, reports said.

Patch has reached out to Griffin for more information.