Dog the Bounty Hunter Says Brian Laundrie Could Be At Florida Campground: Report

This August 12, 2021, still image from a police bodycam released by the Moab City Police Department in Utah, shows Gabrielle Petito speaking with police as they responded to an altercation between Petito and her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie

Reality star Duane Chapman, also known as Dog the Bounty Hunter, who has joined the manhunt for Brian Laundrie, is reportedly investigating a tip that suggested Brian could be found at a Florida campground. This comes as Brian's parents claim they do not know their son's whereabouts.

Chapman told Fox News that he got a tip that suggested Brian and his parents camped together at Fort De Sota Park in Pinellas County twice in early September – on Sept. 1-3 and Sept. 6-8. However, only two of them were seen leaving after the second trip, the report added.

"They were registered, went through the gate. They’re on camera. They were here," Chapman told the news outlet in an exclusive interview Monday evening. "We think at least if he's not here right now, we are sure he was caught on camera as he went in the gate — that he was here for sure. Not over in the swamp," he added.

The manhunt for Brian, who is a person of interest in YouTuber Gabby Petito's death, is currently focused on the alligator-infested Carlton Reserve.

This comes as other reports suggested Chapman found a "fresh" campsite in the woods in Florida and alerted the authorities about the discovery. But the same report added that this could be a false alarm. International Business Times could not independently verify these claims.

"Allegedly, what we're hearing, is two people left on the 8th. Three people came in on the 6th, and two people left on the 8th. I think he's been here for sure," Chapman added. The bounty hunter reportedly received more than 1,000 leads on his hotline.

Investigators also checked the surveillance video on the grounds, Fox News reported. Fort De Soto Park is located about 75 miles away from Brian's family home in North Port.

Chapman went to the North Port home last Saturday but nobody answered the doors. However, reports said Brain's mother called 911 after Chapman appeared on their doorsteps.

Meanwhile, the attorney for Chris and Roberta Laundrie released a statement Monday saying the parents did not know where their son was.

Attorney Steven Bertolino said in the statement, "Chris and Roberta Laundrie do not know where Brian is. They are concerned about Brian and hope the FBI can locate him. The speculation by the public and some in the press that the parents assisted Brian in leaving the family home or in avoiding arrest on a warrant that was issued after Brian had already been missing for several days is just wrong."

Head of Utah's Moab PD goes on leave

The head of Utah's Moab Police Department has gone on leave days after the city decided to investigate officers' handling of a 911 call involving Petito and Brian, said another Fox News report.

Police Chief Bret Edge requested a leave of absence under the Family Medical Leave Act that began Monday, Lisa Church, communications director for the City of Moab, told Fox News. She did not state any reasons for Edge's absence.

Law enforcement records say Petito and Brian got into a physical altercation during their stay in Moab, Utah, on Aug. 12 and cops were alerted. However, officers closed out the call without filing any charges or issuing citations. They reportedly just asked the couple to spend the night apart.