Community gathers hoping for Petito's return

The community of North Port, Florida gathered Saturday in honor of missing woman Gabrielle "Gabby" Petito in the hopes that authorities will find her and bring her home safely.

Law enforcement officers are searching in a vast wildlife area near Florida's Gulf Coast for 23-year-old Brian Laundrie, Petito's boyfriend and the man authorities consider a person of interest in her disappearance. His family reported him missing Friday after he did not return from a hike earlier this week.

Laundrie and Gabrielle "Gabby" Petito left in July on a cross-country trek in a converted van to visit national parks in the U.S. West.

Police say Laundrie was alone when he drove back to his parents' home in North Port, Florida, on Sept. 1.

"As mothers, we feel this could have happened to any of us, so we are heartbroken and want answers. And they need to know we're supportive. I'm sure they feel alone," one woman attending the vigil Saturday told local station WFTS-TV.

"He didn't just disappear, he did it on his own. Let's focus on finding Gabby," said another.

Meanwhile, the FBI in Denver says its agents are conducting ground surveys at Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park, with help from the National Park Service and local law enforcement agencies. They say they are seeking clues to Petito's disappearance.

IMAGE: AP