What Happens After FBI Confirms Newly Discovered Remains Are Brian Laundrie?
More than one year after six-year old Brian Laundrie’s remains were discovered, questions remain about the circumstances surrounding his death. Why was there an investigation into his death? Why was an unknown body discovered in a landfill in Monroe, Louisiana? What led to the discovery of the remains and what measures were taken at the time to determine the manner of death?
The news that a child’s skeletal remains were found near a dump site in Monroe, Louisiana prompted an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the child’s death. It is not known whether the child died as a result of drowning or as a result of a medical trauma. It is also not known if the child died as a result of abuse or neglect.
The news of the discovery of the remains was shared with the media by FBI agents at the scene. Monroe Police detectives were present at the time of the memorial service for Laundrie. Initially, the Monroe Police Chief declined to release the information saying that the discovery of the remains was still under investigation. A news conference was held to address the media about the discovery of the remains.
News of the discovery came just hours before lunch on a sunny day
Authorities had been alerting the public that a child of approximately 4 years old had been missing since early July. No further details were disclosed. Family members and friends were notified of the situation and asked to wait for further updates.
The investigation into the death of Laundrie’s child was referred to an FBI agent by the Monroe Police Department. At the time, officials had said that they were not looking into the death as a homicide. However, later in the day a press conference was issued in which the FBI confirmed that the newly discovered remains were that of Brian Laundrie. The agent did not provide any further details. He referred all further questions to the Laundrie family.
According to multiple sources, the agents handling the case were tight-lipped regarding details. However, several sources confirmed that the agents had visited the location where the newly discovered remains of Laundrie were found. Initial reports suggested that the remains were those belonging to an adult male. This discovery has prompted speculation as to the manner in which Laundrie died, adding to the intrigue surrounding the case.
The FBI agents confirmed that the remains were that of Brian Laundrie but refused to reveal where or how the body had been discovered. The agents said that the investigation is still ongoing and that additional information will be available once the investigation is complete. Laundrie’s wife, Susanette Sheets, told reporters that she and the couple had gone to a vacation spot on a beach in Puerto Rico on the day that their son disappeared. However, Sheets refused to elaborate, and gave no other information about the vacation or where they were going.
The media has been asking questions as to why the FBI waited so long to confirm the remains
Among other questions, the media has been asking how many bodies were found, and if other bodies could belong to other suspects. Other questions have included whether there were any dogs bite marks in the sand. The FBI has maintained that all the searches are being conducted in accordance with protocol and that all searches are being conducted in tandem with other agencies across the nation. This information was not provided to the press. The FBI has not commented on the matter.
One possibility as to why the FBI took so long to confirm the remains is because none of the previously unknown suspects were considered high priority. No one was being sought as a suspect in connection with the child’s disappearance, which is why the investigation was kept relatively small. Perhaps more importantly, no bodies of missing children have ever been discovered using this method of searching for remains. The discovery team was operating in an area where bodies of missing children have never been found, despite a large amount of public interest.
Because the FBI waited until all the information had been passed onto the public, more questions remain about the current circumstances surrounding the death of Brian. Was there any indication of foul play? Were the previously unknown remains of Brian discovered due to a mistake by the police or the medical examiner, as some have suggested?
The truth is probably isn’t as clear as the FBI would like it to be. The fact that the remains were discovered by a person not a member of law enforcement means that there might be some indication of a wrongful death, but it is not clear how much. Was the discovery a result of a mistake, or was it a planned and deliberate act? Brian’s family has also called for an independent investigation into what happened to their loved one. Whatever the answers to these questions remain to be seen.
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