Laundrie Family 'Heartbroken' As Authorities ID Brian's Remains

ACROSS AMERICA — Good morning! It’s Friday, Oct. 22. Have you made plans for the weekend? It may not be too late to catch the stunning, vibrant hues of fall by taking a road trip to see some autumn leaves. Before you go look, here are the stories we’re following today.

• Brian Laundrie’s parents are “heartbroken” after human remains discovered in a Florida park were identified as his.
• A teacher is under fire after posting a profanity-laced TikTok video criticizing an elderly woman over the way she wore a mask at a choir concert.
• The makers of a lawn care services app released a list of the best and worst U.S. cities for vampires. That being said, just go with it.
• A TV reality show escape artist is recovering after he was crushed by a pair of cars, burned and injured by a 40-foot drop at the Atlanta Motorspeedway.

Remains Identified As Brian Laundrie

Human remains found at two Sarasota County parks this week were confirmed Thursday to belong to Brian Laundrie, a person of interest in the strangulation death of his fiancée, Gabby Petito. The identification brings to a close a monthlong search for the 23-year-old Florida man.

Earlier, Laundrie's parents were reportedly "heartbroken" after the human remains and several of his belongings, including a notebook, were found Wednesday near Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park.

At the time, family attorney Steven Bertolino said "the probability is strong" that the unidentified remains found at the Carlton Reserve belonged to Laundrie.

"It's quite sad, you can imagine as a parent, finding your son's belonging alongside from the remains. That's got to be heartbreaking. And I can tell you that they are heartbroken," Bertolino said. » Human Remains Identified As Brian Laundrie: FBI, via Sarasota Patch

Parkland Father Joins Anti-Gun Group

Fred Guttenberg, the father of 14-year-old Jaime Guttenberg, who was killed during the 2018 school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, announced Thursday that he has joined a leading anti-gun group. He will serve as a senior adviser to Brady PAC.

Guttenberg said he joined the anti-gun violence group to help pass gun safety legislation and promote like-minded political candidates around the country ahead of next year's midterm elections.

"We are also closer than we have ever been to losing the chance," Guttenberg said. "It will come down to the next election." » Activist Dad Of Parkland Shooting Victim Joins Anti-Gun Group, via Miami Patch

Police Use Stun Gun On Man With Autism

Alarming body camera footage shows the moment Florida police used a stun gun on a young man with severe autism several times while responding to a recent burglary call in progress. The Eustis Police Department released the video Wednesday. The family of the man, 20-year-old Louis Grahai, said they are outraged by the incident. According to his mother, Grahai has the mental capacity of a 4-year-old child, can't speak and wears diapers. » Man With Autism Tased By Florida Police Officers, via Orlando Patch

• ICYMI: » Autistic Man Shot, Killed By Police Was Backing Away: Witness, via Augusta Patch

Teacher In Hot Water

An Illinois teacher came under fire this week after posting a profanity-laced TikTok video criticizing an elderly woman over the way she wore a mask at a choir concert. Geneva School District officials say they don’t condone the video and are looking into it. » Teacher's Profanity-Laced TikTok: Geneva Schools Respond, via Geneva, Illinois, Patch

Best Cities For… Vampires?

The whole idea of vampires skulking around U.S. cities just waiting to suck out your blood after night falls is a Halloween fantasy, but one company decided to have fun with it anyway by ranking the best and worst U.S. cities for vampires.

The rankings are based on the number of blood centers, the average amount of yearly sunlight, the number of homes with basements and — wait for it, because this is as clichéd as it gets — the number of garlic festivals. » 2021's Best And Worst Cities For Vampires; Seriously, Give Blood, via Across America Patch

Stunning Fall Visuals

Autumn hues are spreading rapidly throughout the Appalachian Mountains as the end of October nears. There's no need to look farther than the Blue Ridge Parkway to witness breathtaking views of peak fall foliage. » 14 Photos: Fall Foliage Peaks On The Blue Ridge Parkway, via Across North Carolina Patch

House Hunting

If there is an amenity lacking from this Lake Tahoe waterfront home for sale, we can't find it. Priced at $32 million, this lavish estate in Meeks Bay offers nine bedrooms and 10 bathrooms cozied inside a whopping 11,627-square-foot space. Among its pluses: four hot tubs, a heated driveway and simply unbeatable views.

This Day In History

In 2010, WikiLeaks, a website founded by Julian Assange, released thousands of U.S. documents relating to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Around ‘The Patch’

• Rahm Emanuel Shows He's No Ambassador Of Truth At Senate Hearing, via Chicago Patch
• Texas Urges Supreme Court To Leave Abortion Law In Place, via Austin Patch
• In-N-Out Burger: 'We Refuse To Become The Vaccination Police', via San Francisco Patch
• Rapper Young Thug Sues Over Swiped Bag That Had Cash, Songs, via Atlanta Patch
• Fake Designer Jewelry, Handbags And Clothing Worth $1 Million Seized At Dulles Airport, via Herndon, Virginia, Patch
• Royal Caribbean's Epic World Cruise Will Cost You At Least $60K, via Miami Patch
• 'America's Got Talent: Extreme' Performer Crushed, Burned When Stunt Goes 'Terribly Wrong', via Atlanta Patch
• 'Come From Away' Star Says He Was Fired For Christian Faith, Midtown-Hell’s Kitchen Patch
• 10-Digit Dialing For Local Calls Starts Sunday In 35 U.S. States, via Across America Patch
• Man Behind 'Call To Arms' Post Wants Off Rittenhouse Witness List, via Grayslake, Illinois, Patch
• Biden Ties Legislative Agenda To MLK Push For Racial Justice, via Across America Patch

Find Your Patch

Patch is in more than 1,000 communities across America. Find your community and see what's happening outside your front door.