First off, I'd get the hell out of Florida
With the thought that they'll be turning over every rock in the sunshine state, I'd get out of dodge as fast as possible. That way I'd have some breathing room while they're spinning their wheels in that god-forbidden swamp. Just the thought of being attacked by swarms of bugs on a daily basis, not to mention the gators and snakes, would be enough to let them enjoy that wild goose chase.
Now, we know Brian has extensive experience living off-grid, after spending considerable time living in the woods of Appalachia. He took just a backpack with him and lived off peanut butter and crackers. So I could see him possibly surviving for months out there. However, that was done before he became a murder suspect, so some changes might be in order.
Sure, he could be living in some hunters cabin or hiding out in a national park, but there are reasons why I'd avoid that. A park gives searchers a defined area to look in. If he went to Yellowstone for instance, they'd look in every nook and cranny, and eventually find him. So if it were me, I'd be in a remote area outside the boundaries of a park or reserve.
Let me take you down...
Not to Strawberry Fields, but someplace many people aren't even thinking of. It's like this: a hunters cabin though in the woods, is still a place that can easily be seen from the air. We have to assume that with the attention this story is getting, that the authorities will be motivated to search far afield in order to find him. So cabins may very well be checked. But there's one area, that by it's very nature, will present obstacles to a prolonged search for Brian Laundrie.
Those places are caves or abandoned mines. America is riddled with cave systems, many of them haven't been fully explored, and an unknown number are awaiting exploration. After all, even Osama Bin Laden hid out in the caves of Tora Bora before fleeing into Pakistan. Remember the search for the missing schoolboys in that cave in Thailand? Some of them have fresh water sources as evidenced in divers being used to rescue those kids. So if he chose the right cave, Brian would have a constant source of fresh water, without the need to risk exposure by venturing outside.
Not to mention the steady temperature inside caves, which would lessen the need to bring a lot of supplies with him. Hence, the peanut butter and crackers, which he munched on for months while surviving in the wild. But let's say our little psychopath found his bolthole ahead of time? He could have already stepped out and stocked it up just for a situation like this. If it were me, I'd have a number of "just in case" spots set and ready in case the SHTF. If Brian's smart, he's in a place like this.
Staying put
The other thing to realize is the benefit of staying put. There are thousands of abandoned mines in America, with the number put at over 500,000. Any one of them could be used as a hideout by a desperate man on the run. The important thing in remaining hidden is to stay put. All of these reports of Brian being seen here, there and everywhere, are exactly the thing you DON'T want to do after fleeing.
Not taking his wallet or phone was wise in his case, as they could act as a beacon leading searchers right to him. In his solitary location, this means no checking the internet, and no communicating with anyone, including his parents. Hiding out in one place is key, as well as having an escape plan should things go wrong.
His main concern would have to be running into the odd spelunker. But with over half a million caves in the US alone, he should be ok if he stayed away from well-trafficked cave systems.
Where to look?
I was surprised to learn that Tennessee is the state with the highest number of caves at almost 10,000 known caves. Most of them are located in the eastern Tennessee near the Appalachian range. Laundrie is reported to have hidden out somewhere along the trail and the mountains which stretch northward along the east coast. The Great Smokey Mountains offers plenty of places for our fugitive to get lost away from prying eyes.
With his interest in climbing gear, I wouldn't be surprised if he's found underground, or in some remote nook up in the hills. Another thing I wouldn't do is to stay with others. With a small but growing reward now on his head, we all know money talks, and it wouldn't take long before an associate might decide to turn him in to collect that paper. So his trek would have to be a solo one in order to eliminate that possibility.
So for me, I'd not only leave Florida, but also any of the surrounding states. With a mask, sunglasses, and a big floppy hat on, you'd pass Brian Laundrie on the street and wouldn't know it. Those of you that are urban explorers, know all about abandoned buildings and underground tunnels. These present yet another slate of places to hideout in for someone on the run.
He will be found
However, my instincts tell me that Brian Laundrie will be found. The authorities can make many mistakes, but he only has to make one mistake in order to get caught. The killing of Gabby Petito has united the nation in the hunt for this psycho, and sooner or later justice will be done.
I mean if you have not only the FBI and local police on your tail, but also John Walsh and Dog the Bounty Hunter looking for you, your time is almost up. Like you, I look forward to the day when this case is resolved, and we can all thank the searchers for a job well done. Where do you think he is? And like me, I hope you agree with me that he will be found.
Please check out my recent posts:
Blogging and The Rule of Thirds: Research, Content Creation, and Engagement
A HumorUS Take on American States - Groping the Southern Rim