Autopsy results have confirmed that the remains found Sunday in the Bridger-Teton National Forest are those of Gabby Petito, a 22-year-old woman who disappeared while on a trip exploring national parks with her fiancé, Brian Laundrie
The Teton county coroner, Brent Blue, determined her manner of death was a homicide but did not disclose a cause of death pending final autopsy results. Gabby Petito’s body was found Sunday near an undeveloped camping area that’s surrounded by woodlands and brush, located about 30 miles northeast of Jackson, Wyoming.
Teton County Coroner Dr. Brent Blue confirmed the remains are those of Gabrielle Venora Petito, date of birth March 19, 1999. Coroner Blue’s initial determination for the manner of death is homicide. The cause of death remains pending final autopsy results. pic.twitter.com/JoHenMZ9UU
— FBI Denver (@FBIDenver) September 21, 2021
The FBI also requested for anyone with information about Brian Laundrie’s role in Petito’s death to contact the agency.
The FBI in Denver said the agency would like information from anyone who may have had contact with Petito or Laundrie or who visited the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area between August 27-30 or may have seen their vehicle.
Is There A Suspect?
Investigators have called Laundrie, 23, a “person of interest”. His parents told FBI agents they last saw him a week ago, when he told them he was planning to hike alone in the 24,000-acre Carlton Reserve wilderness area, near North Port, Florida.
North Port police said Tuesday morning that investigators have returned to the reserve to look for Laundrie. Investigators searched the 24,000-acre (9,700-hectare) reserve over the weekend without success. Authorities are using helicopters, drones, dogs and officers in all-terrain vehicles in their search for Laundrie. About 75% of the search area is underwater.
Before his parents told police Laundrie left the home on September 14, he had refused to talk to investigators, and the family had directed them to their attorney, police said.
Authorities also have searched the family home, including on Monday. FBI agents removed a number of items from the home Monday, and a Ford Mustang convertible was also towed away.
What Happened To Gabby Petito?
Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie were childhood sweethearts who met while growing up on New York’s Long Island. His parents later moved to North Port, just south of Sarasota.
Petito and Laundrie left her home state of New York in late June or early July, heading west in her white van to visit national parks and document the trip on social media.
Brian Laundrie returned home to North Port alone in the van on 1 September. Ten days later members of Gabby Petito’s family reported her missing. Before disappearing, Laundrie refused to speak with investigators and retained a lawyer.
Witnesses last saw Petito on 24 August as she left a hotel in Salt Lake City. She posted her final photo on social media the next day. Her family believes she was headed to Grand Teton national park in Wyoming when they last heard from her.
A body was discovered on the edge of that park, in a remote area less than 1,000ft from where a pair of travel bloggers filmed the white van parked on a dirt road near Spread Creek on the evening of 27 August.
Petito’s family said through an attorney earlier Tuesday that they need time to grieve.
“We will be making a statement when Gabby is home,” attorney Richard Benson Stafford said.
Published by HOLR Magazine.