Police consider the fiancé of the missing young woman as a person of interest while traveling in the US in a van

By Wilson Wong - NBC News

The fiancé of the New York girl who disappeared while the two were on a cross-country road trip was identified as a person of interest in the case, according to North Port, Florida police.

The Gabrielle Petito family reported her missing over the weekend after losing contact with her while on a tour of Wyoming.

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"Gabrielle's vehicle was recovered here in North Port, from her home, on September 11," the city Police Department said in a statement.

"That vehicle was fully processed to obtain evidence together with the FBI agents on Tuesday night," he added.

Authorities noted that Laundrie "has not made himself available for interview by investigators" and "has not provided any useful details." 

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"We know that Brian returned here to North Port on September 1, 10 days before his family reported him missing on September 11. We have no information that a crime has occurred here in North Port," police said.

Attorneys for the Petito and Laundrie families did not respond to questions from NBC, the sister network of Noticias Telemundo.

The news comes a day after Utah authorities said they were investigating an "incident" involving the couple on Aug. 12, about two weeks before Petito was last seen.

Moab City Police Department Chief Bret Edge told NBC News in a statement that "neither Brian nor Gabrielle were the whistleblowers."

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"Agents conducted an investigation and determined that there was insufficient evidence to justify criminal charges," he said.

"We plead with anyone, including Brian, to share information with us regarding his whereabouts in recent weeks," Police Chief Todd Garrison reiterated in a statement.

"Brian's lack of information is hampering this investigation. Answers will eventually come to light. We will help find Gabby and help find anyone who may be involved in her disappearance," he said.

Petito's family attorney said Tuesday that Laundrie would not help find her.

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"The Schmidt and Petito families are going through the worst moments of their lives. Their beautiful 22-year-old daughter is missing and the only person who can help find Gabby refuses to help," said Richard Stafford.

"Brian Laundrie was traveling with Gabby in the Grand Teton - Yellowstone area. They were riding together in Gabby's 2012 Ford Transit van. That's where we think Gabby was last seen," he added.

The fiancé's family released a statement early Tuesday saying this is "understandably an extremely difficult time for both the Petito family and the Laundrie family."

"We understand that a search for Petito has been organized in or near Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. On behalf of the Laundrie family, we hope that the search for Petito will be successful and he will reunite with his family." the family said in a statement issued by their attorney, Steven P. Bertolino. 

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"On the counsel's advice, the Laundrie family remains in the background at this juncture and will not comment further," he added.

Petito's family attorney responded directly to the statement Tuesday night.

"The Schmidt and Petito family beg the Laundrie family not to 'stay in the background' but to help find who Brian was referring to as the love of his life," Stafford said.

"How can Brian stay in the background when he's the only person who knows where Gabby is?"

Petito and Laundrie had been documenting their travels on YouTube under the aliases Nomadic Statik and Van Life.

The truck, with a Florida license plate, and Laundrie eventually returned to the city of North Port, south of Tampa, but without the woman, according to police.

Authorities say they know Laundrie is at his family's home in North Port, but had not contacted him as of Wednesday afternoon.

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"Brian refuses to tell Gabby's family where he last saw her," Stafford said.

"Brian also refuses to explain why he left Gabby alone and drove his van to Florida. These are critical questions that require immediate answers," the attorney insisted.

North Port Police said they were also investigating why Gabrielle's Instagram page was taken down.