Brian Laundrie’s disappearance was a ‘surprise’ to police chief who hoped he was ‘hiding in a back bedroom’ in a ‘ploy’

THE head of the small Florida police department that led the initial investigation into Brian Laundrie has defended his agency’s performance despite a series of mishaps that may have bungled the case.

North Port Police Chief Todd Garrison spoke during an event in Venice on Friday night, just days after it was revealed that investigators with his department had mistaken Brian for his mother days after he’d vanished.

Getty Images – GettyNorth Port Police Chief Todd Garrison defended his department on Friday[/caption]

Brian and Gabby Petito had been on a cross-country road trip touring the US national parks when Gabby vanished in late August

Laundrie, 23, was last seen alive on September 13 after telling his parents, Chris and Roberta, that he was going hiking in the Carlton Reserve in Sarasota Count, but failed to return home.

North Port PD first began watching Brian after Gabby’s family reported her missing on September 11 – ten days after he returned from their cross-country road trip without her.

On September 13, North Port Police watched Brian leave his parent’s home in his grey Mustang through cameras they’d secretly planted outside of the home.

Two days later, investigators thought they saw him return to the family home in the same car.