Gabby Petito disappearance: Brian Laundrie "in hiding" as protesters gather at family home

North Port, Florida – As the search for Gabby Petito continues, community members are staging protests at Brian Laundrie's house, demanding that he speak with law enforcement regarding her whereabouts. But police now seem to be dealing with a second disappearance.

Gabby Petito (r.) was reported missing by her family members on September 11 after Brian Laundrie (l) and his family refused to return their texts of concern.
Gabby Petito (r.) was reported missing by her family members on September 11 after Brian Laundrie (l) and his family refused to return their texts of concern.  © Collage: Screenshot/Instagram/gabspetito

As Brian Laundrie and his parents remain tight-lipped in the ongoing hunt for Gabby Petito, members of the North Port, Florida community are rallying together in search of answers only Laundrie can provide.

On Thursday evening, numerous protestors gathered outside of Laundrie's home he shares with his parents, in an effort to persuade them to cooperate with authorities.

However, it's not clear where the 23-year-old currently is, as police told CNN that his family had not seen him since Tuesday. The investigation has been upgraded to "multiple missing persons," which doesn't sit well with Petito's loved ones.

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"All of Gabby's family want the world to know that Brian is not missing, he is hiding. Gabby is missing," their attorney said in a statement to CNN.

A member of Laundrie's family speaks out

Brian Laundrie (r.) is a person of interest in Gabby Petito's (l.) disappearance, but he refuses to speak with the authorities.
Brian Laundrie (r.) is a person of interest in Gabby Petito's (l.) disappearance, but he refuses to speak with the authorities.  © Screenshot/Instagram/gabspetito

Meanwhile, some are actively showing their outrage at the Laundrie family's perceived lack of cooperation.

A video shared by Fox News on Twitter showed a golf cart driving by the Laundrie home as people chanted, "Where is Gabby?" Another protest was scheduled for Friday evening under the same pretenses, Fox News reported.

In a video shared by Brian Entin of News Nation Now on Twitter, the North Port Police Department spokesperson Josh Taylor provided a brief update about the case on Friday afternoon, saying they had received an "enormous" amount of tips.

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"Certainly there has been progress made throughout the last 24 hours," Taylor said, but admitted they have yet to solve the mystery that is Petito's disappearance.

Law enforcement officers aren't the only ones struggling to make contact with Laundrie and his parents.

On Friday, Laundrie's sister Cassie told Good Morning America that she hasn't been able to talk to him or her parents at all, though she wishes she could.

"Me and my family want Gabby to be found safe. She's like a sister, and my children love her, and all I want is for her to come home safe and sound, and for this to just be a big misunderstanding."

The young woman also said she wishes she had more information to give, noting she had already spoken with police to provide any insight she could.

While Laundrie remains a person of interest in the case, police have yet to file any charges against – or even speak with – the 23-year-old.

Cover photo: Collage: Screenshot/Instagram/gabspetito

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