‘Dog The Bounty Hunter' Halts Brian Laundrie Search After Injury But Daughter Says It's Still Ongoing
Lyssa Chapman noted that her father, Duane “Dog” Chapman, had to exit his role in the hunt for Brian Laundrie in Florida.
“Dog the Bounty Hunter” has seemingly halted his search this week for missing Florida man Brian Laundrie after reportedly being injured.
In a now-deleted tweet, Lyssa Chapman confirmed on Sunday that her father, Duane “Dog” Chapman had suffered an ankle injury and that headed to Colorado for treatment, Radar Online reported.
The reality television star and bounty hunter has been leading a high profile search to track down Laundrie, who was the boyfriend of Gabrielle “Gabby” Petito. A federal arrest warrant has been issued for Laundrie's over the unauthorized use of a debit or credit card following Petito’s murder — though it doesn't specify whose card he allegedly used. Petito's remains were found in Wyoming on Sept. 19, weeks after Laundrie, 23, returned to his parents' home in Florida from their cross country trip without her; he has been missing for weeks now.
“Dad is headed back to Colorado temporarily to handle some business. (Remember, he was in Florida on his honeymoon)” Lyssa tweeted on Sunday. “We are still actively searching for #BrianLaundrie, leaving a team in place in Florida. As always, whatever I can share with you, I will.”
Chapman added that she's not giving up.
"It’s common that we (include you all) put so much heat on a fugitive they dig down, he will pop up again. Bait is set,” she wrote.
Laundrie's parents, who referred law enforcement to their lawyer before Petito’s remains were found, say their son went missing after going for a hike at Florida’s Sarasota County’s Carlton Reserve in mid-September. They initially told police he left on Sept. 14, but last week they noted that he actually vanished one day prior, on Sept. 13. Multiple attempts to find him at that swampy reserve have not been successful. There have also been unconfirmed sightings of Brian Laundrie on The Appalachian Trail in North Carolina in the past weeks.
Laundrie’s parents called 911 on the famous bounty hunter last month as he confronted them at their home. He’s been since searching for Laundrie in the Florida wilderness, giving dramatic updates along the way, including finding a Monster energy drink can which he theorized could have been Laundrie’s litter. Last week, he searched some islands off the west coast of Florida.
"I will find him," he vowed last month.
Chapman's estranged daughter, Cecily Chapman, reportedly called her dad’s efforts “a publicity stunt.”
"The Murder of Gabby Petito: Truth, Lies and Social Media" will air on Oxygen on Monday, January 24 at 9/8c. It's also available to stream on Peacock now.