A man who goes by the TikTok username @notbrianlaundrie has gone viral over the last week after responding to a claim that someone made about a Brian Laundrie sighting. The man bears a striking resemblance to the missing Florida fugitive but is not the same guy, and he has posted many videos to prove it. Bald, bearded white men everywhere are getting funny looks and accusations from strangers of being Laundrie — who went missing following his girlfriend Gabby Petito’s homicide and has a federal warrant out for his arrest.
… Not Brian Laundrie is one of these men. After being spotted at a crowded bar by a random person and an accusation from a drunk stranger, he decided to take to TikTok to “put all of these rumors to bed.” Not Brian Laundrie seems to be taking to his newfound fame kindly — making jokes about his unfortunate circumstances and trolling the people who still don’t believe that he’s not the real deal. One of his TikTok’s was a reply to a comment that read, “While hiking on the Appalachian Trail, what are your comfort items?” Not Brian Laundrie’s reply was, “Beanie Babies. Never go hiking without them, they are instrumental.”
… In a more recent video, he made a post about all the people who said he should wear a shirt that said: “Not Brian Laundrie.” NBL wrote: “How would you guys feel about me opening a store selling these shirts and then giving all profits to the Gabby Petito Foundation? I feel like something good should come out of this nightmare.” The Gabby Petito Foundation was announced by her family during her memorial service and would aim to help bring missing children home.
Meanwhile, the real Brian Laundrie’s neighbors are profiting off the media circus outside his home — charging media outlets to set up in their yards after cops barred media from parking on the street. Brian’s neighbors seem super business savvy — catering to the media with tents to shield them from the elements, internet access, chairs, water and of course, bathrooms. Cameras are set up in several yards and driveways on the Laundries’ block and some neighbors are charging as much as $3500 per week.