Chris Laundrie Met With Ridicule After Joining Search for Son 3 Weeks After It Began

Brian Laundrie's father, Chris, was met with ridicule from some social media users after he joined the search for his son three weeks after it began.

On Thursday, Brian Entin of NewsNationNow first reported that Chris Laundrie was joining the search and in a statement sent to Newsweek, the Laundrie family attorney, Steven Bertolino said, "Chris Laundrie is assisting Law Enforcement today in the search for Brian."

"Chris was asked to point out any favorite trails or spots that Brian may have used in the preserve. Although Chris and Roberta Laundrie provided this information verbally 3 weeks ago it is now thought that on-site assistance may be better," the statement said. "The preserve has been closed to the public and the Laundries as well but the parents have been cooperating since the search began."

Laundrie was first reported missing by his parents in early September and said that they last saw their son on September 13. They told law enforcement officials that they believed their son went for a hike at Florida's Carlton Reserve, but he has not been seen since.

Shortly after it was reported that Chris Laundrie was joining the search, numerous Twitter users offered their own opinions on the situation, with many criticizing Laundrie for joining the search so late.

As Bertolino noted in his statement, the Laundrie parents have been unable to help join the search for their son since the Carlton Reserve has been closed to the public.

"I find it strange that Chris Laundrie suddenly wants to help in the search of his son. This has been going on for three weeks, and not once did the Laundrie's want to assist in the search. Why now? Someone should be watching their home, just in case," Twitter user Bethany Victoria wrote.

Twitter user Mike Sington offered a similar opinion, writing, "Brian Laundrie's father, Chris Laundrie, has left his Florida home to allegedly help police find his son. Is he helping police find his son, or is he helping his son with provisions? Why is he deciding to 'assist' now, three weeks later?"

While law enforcement officials have not announced that Chris Laundrie had any specific knowledge of his son's whereabouts, several other Twitter users shared gifs and jokes about the father joining the search.

"Chris Laundrie acting like he doesn't know where his son is," Twitter user Rhetoric Ignis wrote with a gif.

Twitter user James Peterson wrote, "Chris Laundrie is dressed like a dad going to Costco. Not like a guy going to search a swamp for a fugitive with the FBI."

Laundrie was initially named a person of interest in the disappearance of his fiancée, 22-year-old Gabby Petito, after she disappeared while the two were on a road trip together. Petito's body was eventually found in Wyoming and her death was ruled as a homicide.

The FBI in Denver announced on September 23 that a federal arrest warrant was issued by the U.S. District Court in Wyoming for Laundrie, accusing him of credit card fraud.

"While this warrant allows law enforcement to arrest Mr. Laundrie, the FBI and our partners across the country continue to investigate the facts and circumstances of Ms. Petito's homicide," the FBI in Denver said in a statement announcing the warrant.