Brian Laundrie: Dog The Bounty Hunter 'closing in' as fresh details over burner phone emerge

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Dog The Bounty Hunter is said to be "closing in" on the whereabouts of Brian Laundrie, who has been missing for over two weeks.

The 68-year-old reality star, whose legal name is Duane Chapman, kicked off his search for Laundrie when he showed up at the home of Laundrie's mother and father, Roberta and Christopher.

On Saturday, September 25, he repeatedly knocked on the Laundrie family's door and asked to speak to them, but to no avail.

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Credit: Instagram/Gabspetito

In any case, sources familiar with Dog's involvement in the search told TMZ that as of 10 PM on Tuesday, September 28, he had received information that appeared to confirm that Laundrie is alive and moving around.

And as reported by The Independent, Dog claimed he was "closing in" on Laundrie's location.

On Wednesday, September 29, he took to Twitter to share an update on his team's search for the missing 23-year-old.

Dog said: "We’re here at the island. This would be and could be the perfect spot for him to hide. The search now is really on. The search has just begun."

In the caption, Chapman explained: "Earlier today we launched an active and specific search in a key area based on the intelligence we are receiving and researching.

"Boat crews and ground teams have been called in and we have search and rescue dogs deployed. More to follow..."

According to The Independent, Dog had received a tip that the family had headed to the Fort DeSoto campgrounds in Pinellas County, Florida - after Laundrie had returned solo from his road trip with his now-deceased fiancée Gabby Petito.

Steven Bertolino, the Laundries' legal rep, has since confirmed that the family did indeed go on a camping trip following his return from the road trip.

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Credit: WENN Rights Ltd / Alamy

However, the attorney denied that Roberta and Christopher helped their son flee, stating that all three members of the family returned home from the campsite.

Meanwhile, the FBI manhunt for the 23-year-old continues - and fresh new details have emerged of a supposed burner phone that Laundrie allegedly bought the day he disappeared from his parents' North Port, Florida home.

Insiders told TMZ that Laundrie, who was with an older woman, was seen purchasing the phone at an AT&T store in their neighborhood earlier this month.

Bertolino has now confirmed that a phone Laundrie bought before he disappeared has been handed over to the FBI.

He has remained at large since September 14 - a day before he was named a person of interest in Petito's disappearance. Petito, a 22-year-old blogger, was confirmed dead on September 21.

Featured image credit: Alamy / WENN Rights Ltd