Courtesy of Schmidt and Petito family
- The family of Gabby Petito blasted the missing woman's boyfriend on Wednesday, calling his "silence" in the case "reprehensible."
- Brian Laundrie "left Gabby in the wilderness with grizzly bears and wolves," the family said in a statement.
- Police have named Laundrie a person of interest in the case.
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The family of Gabby Petito blasted the missing woman's boyfriend on Wednesday, calling his "silence" in the case "reprehensible" as they claimed he left Petito "in the wilderness with grizzly bears and wolves while he sits in the comfort of his home."
Petito's family released the statement through their lawyer Richard Stafford shortly after Florida police declared that the woman's boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, is a person of interest in her mysterious disappearance.
The 22-year-old woman was reported missing by her family in New York on September 11 after she and Laundrie set out on a cross-country road trip from the Empire State in a converted van in early July. Her last known location is believed to be in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park.
And police say Laundrie – who returned home alone to Florida with the van 10 days before Petito was reported missing – has refused to be interviewed by investigators.
"Everyday the search for Gabby continues the Schmidt and Petito family becomes more desperate. They are frantically searching for answers and information in their daughter's disappearance while Brian sits in the comfort of his home," the statement from the family's lawyer read.
The statement continued, "Brian claims he wants to sit in the background while we search for Gabby in the wilderness of the Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. Brian left Gabby in the wilderness with grizzly bears and wolves while he sits in the comfort of his home. In his home!"
"Brian, how could you do this to Gabby? You selfishly remain silent while Gabby is all alone in the wilderness," the statement added. "Brian, your silence is reprehensible! We beg you to do the right thing and help us bring Gabby home."
It went on, "Brian, whatever happened in Wyoming, happened. The only thing you can control is what you do now. Tell us where Gabby is. You tarnish [your] love for her with your silence."
Laundrie has not made any public comments on the matter besides a statement released through his lawyer, Steven Bertolino, on Tuesday.
"This is understandably an extremely difficult time for both the Petito family and the Laundrie family," the statement said. "On the advice of counsel, the Laundrie family is remaining in the background at this juncture and will have no further comment."
Bertolino did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Petito's stepfather and a close family friend have gone out to Wyoming to search for the young woman, Stafford told Insider earlier Wednesday.