SARASOTA COUNTY - Human remains have been found in the Carlton Reserve as investigators continued their search Wednesday for Brian Laundrie.

Michael McPherson, special agent in charge of the FBI Tampa office, said at an afternoon news conference: "Earlier today investigators found what appears to be human remains, along with personal items such as a backpack and notebook belonging to Brian Laundrie."

It has not been confirmed if the remains are those of Laundrie, the person of interest in the disappearance of Gabrielle Petito.

The remains were found Wednesday in an area of the reserve that had been previously under water, McPherson said.

He said investigators will likely be on the scene "for several days."

He did not take questions.

WATCH ABOVE: FBI Tampa's Wednesday news conference

After his remarks, people at the scene chanted, "Justice for Gabby, justice for Gabby."

The latest developments came amid a renewed police presence Wednesday at the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park.

Steven Bertolino, an attorney for the family, confirmed to Spectrum Bay News 9 that his parents were at the reserve Wednesday and that "some articles" belonging to Brian were located.

"Chris and Roberta Laundrie went to the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park this morning to search for Brian," he said earlier Wednesday. "The FBI and NPPD (North Port Police Department) were informed last night of Brian’s parents’ intentions and they met Chris and Roberta there this morning.

"After a brief search off a trail that Brian frequented some articles belonging to Brian were found.  As of now, law enforcement is conducting a more thorough investigation of that area."

After the FBI's announcement about the remains, the attorney said in a statement to Spectrum Bay News 9: “Chris and Roberta will wait for the forensic identification of the human remains before making any additional comments.”

The Sarasota County Medical Examiner’s Office was called to the park, along with a Pasco County Sheriff's Office human remains detection K9.

A human remains detection K9 has been requested from the Pasco County Sheriff's Office by North Port Police twice before.

Sky 9 flew over a tent that had been set up at the scene.

Laundrie is the person of interest in the disappearance of Gabby Petito, whose body was found last month.

Much of the park had been shut down for weeks during the search for Laundrie, but it had been reopened Tuesday.

Petito was last seen on Aug. 30 in Grand Teton National Park during a cross-country trip with her boyfriend Laundrie, who returned to Florida alone on Sept. 1.

Last week, a Wyoming coroner revealed that Petito died by strangulation. 

Teton County Coroner Dr. Brent Blue didn't say if it was manual strangulation or with an item of some sort and released very few details, but he did say Gabby's body was outside for 3 to 4 weeks before it was found last month. 

He also would not comment when asked if he believed Petito was killed at the same location she was found, or if she was taken there. 

Asked about the condition of Petito's body, he said, “All I can say is the body was outside for 3-4 weeks." Blue would not say if the body was buried when it was found.

Officials in Wyoming have charged Laundrie with unauthorized use of a debit card, alleging he used a Capital One Bank card and someone’s personal identification number to make unauthorized withdrawals or charges worth more than $1,000 after Petito went missing.

On Sept. 24, mourners paid their respects to Petito.

Among those who congregated in Holbrook, about 35 miles east of New York City, were family members, friends, co-workers and people who were touched by Petito’s story even though they didn’t know her.

Her father said he hopes people will be inspired by his daughter.

Stay with Spectrum News for updates on this story.