‘Freaked out’ South Carolina woman claims Brian Laundrie is alive and her neighbour – a ‘sinister painting’ is the proof

A creator in South Carolina has gone viral online with a series of TikTok posts claiming Brian Laundrie, who, in 2021, killed Gabby Petito in a high-profile case before dying by suicide near his parents’ home in Florida, is not only alive and well, but her next-door neighbor.

In response to the overwhelming interest in her posts, the creator, Cuchia1031, adjusted her security settings so that you must be logged into TikTok to view her posts, but other content creators have followed along. Stretching credibility still further, Cuchia has yet to show a picture of the man, but she says he looks just like Laundrie and assures her followers that an image is coming. Still, many of Cuchia’s followers seem convinced.

Paintings and property

As evidence, Cuchia says in her posts she’s seen the man carrying a sinister-looking painting into the home where he lives, and Laundrie was an aspiring artist and illustrator, who often created dark and macabre images similar to what Cuchia describes.

In one post, Cuchia mentions a comment stating that someone saw Laundrie in Germany, which is consistent with the widespread conspiracy theory that he’s still alive. Cuchia says her neighbor was out of town around the same time the supposed sighting happened.

In another post, Cuchiha highlights a comment claiming Laundrie’s parents own property in Hanahan, South Carolina. Cuchiha says that’s near where she lives, without providing her specific address. (A search of property records shows no evidence that the Laundries own property in the state.)

“Nobody thinks he actually died”

Typical comments on Cuchiha’s posts include “Contact Gabbys family. Guarantee they will just go up to his door to check. Nobody thinks he actually died.” And also, “dude, I’ve always said that whole thing was fishy [and] weird. I didn’t think he was dead. that’s weird 😕 be careful!”

Both reflect the belief among some that Laundrie is alive, and his parents, Roberta and Christopher Laundrie, staged his death to help him escape after Laundrie murdered Petito.

On that note, another comment pointed out, “Her mom,” meaning Petito’s mother, Nichole Schmidt, “did an interview telling everyone to stop spreading misinformation that he’s alive.” But the comment added, “I personally don’t think he’s dead either.”

Petito, a 22-year-old aspiring Vanlife travel blogger, vanished in September 2021 while on a cross-country trip with her fiancé, Laundrie. After weeks of searching, Petito’s remains were found in Wyoming, and her death was ruled a homicide by strangulation.

Laundrie, who had returned alone to Florida and refused to cooperate with police, soon disappeared himself, sparking a nationwide manhunt. In October 2021, investigators discovered his skeletal remains, along with personal items and a notebook, in Florida’s Carlton Reserve.

The notebook contained a written confession taking responsibility for Petito’s death.
Despite online conspiracy theories claiming Laundrie faked his death, forensic evidence confirmed he died. The FBI used dental records to match the remains to Laundrie, and later DNA testing provided further confirmation.

Meanwhile, the Sarasota County Medical Examiner ruled his death a suicide by gunshot. His parents also cooperated in recovering personal belongings found with the body. With dental, DNA, and ballistic evidence all consistent, law enforcement and forensic experts have conclusively ruled out the notion that Laundrie is still alive.