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Officially reported dead by FBI on Tuesday, September 21st, 22-year-old Gabby Petito’s mysterious death has grasped the attention of the entire country as local and federal authorities continue to search for her missing boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, 23.
According to local authorities, the young couple were said to have embarked on a cross-country trip from their hometown of North Port, Florida sometime in June. Laundrie and Petito used her white Ford van to head West and visit state and national parks. Throughout their journey, Petito is said to have maintained constant communication with her family until August, when news from her abruptly stopped.
On August, 12th, Moab, Utah police received a 911 call reporting a domestic violence case where “the gentleman was slapping the girl.” Upon locating and questioning the couple, police reported the couple claimed to be very much in love despite having engaged in a brief altercation. According to police reports, officers suggested the couple spend the night apart from each other. The report went on to indicate that both Petito and Laundrie had their own cell-phones in case of emergency and no charges were filed.
On September 17th, Petito family attorney, Richard Stafford, conducted a news conference where he claimed the family had last heard from Petito on August 30th. Between the dates of August 24th and 27th, Petito is said to have texted her mother regularly and the family was under the impression the couple were in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. However, the last text message Petito’s mother received was on August 30th, where Petito’s text read, “No service in Yosemite.”
Prior to Stafford’s news conference, Laundrie returned to North Port, Florida, where his parents also live, on September 1st. Laundrie reportedly arrived in Petito’s white van, which they used throughout their trip. The van has been recovered by Police from the Laundrie home. On September 6th, the Laundrie family is said to have gone on a camping trip about 75 miles away from their home, according to local police. Petito’s family, who live in New York, officially reported her missing on September 11th. When North Port authorities arrive at the Laundrie residence in efforts to speak with Brain and his family, the police spokesperson claims they were basically handed information to speak with their lawyers.
Amid the developments in September, there were a couple of notable reports from witnesses claiming to have interacted with Laundrie in the final days of August. Miranda Baker took to TikTok, where she claimed her and her boyfriend picked up Laundrie while he was hitchhiking in Colter Bay, Wyoming. Baker says Laundrie told the couple he was camping outside Grand Teton National Park, near Snake River. However, once Laundrie realized the couple were headed toward Jackson Hole and not Jackson, he abruptly asked to be let out near Jackson Dam. Local authorities claim Baker’s testimony is plausible.
A separate report of an interaction with Laundrie came from Wyoming resident Norma Jean Jalovec. Also on August 29th, Jalovec claims Laundrie told her that his girlfriend was back at their camp site in their van working on a shared travel blog. Jalovec reported to the FBI that she later dropped Laundrie off at the entrance gates of Spread Creek, where Petito’s body was later found. Jalovec says she offered to take Laundrie further into the camp site but he insisted upon being dropped off at the entrance gates.
After several attempts by the Petito family and the police, the Laundrie family finally concede to allow the police to enter their home on September 17th. It was then that the Laundrie family divulge that they have not seen their son, Brian, since September 14th. Local and federal police began their search for Laundrie the very same day the family reported him missing.
While the FBI conduct ground surveys on September 18th back at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, where Petito is believed to have been before her last text message to her family, authorities conduct a search for Laundrie in Venice, Florida. The search for Laundrie takes place across the Carlton Reserve, where there are over 80 miles of hiking trails.
On September 19th, human remains consistent with Gabby Petito’s description were found. On September 20th, the FBI question Christopher and Roberta Laundrie, Brian’s parents, and conduct a search warrant within their home. The remains found in Teton, Wyoming were confirmed to be Petito’s by the Teton County Coroner on September 21st.
While his search throughout the Carlton Reserve is still ongoing, the FBI and the U.S. District Court of Wyoming have issued a warrant for Laundrie’s arrest.
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