If you have been on any form of social media over the past week, you are probably familiar with the Gabby Petito case. Gabby Petito was a 22-year-old from Long Island, New York. Gabby and her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, went on a cross-country road trip in July. The last week of August is the last time Gabby’s parents say that they heard from her. From their last communications, the family believed Gabby was in Teton range in Wyoming. There was one last text message sent from Gabby’s phone stating “no service in Yosemite”, but it is believed that this message was fake. On September 1st, Brian Laundrie came back home with Gabby’s van, but without Gabby. Brian immediately hired a lawyer and refused to speak about Gabby’s whereabouts.
Missing Person
After not hearing from Gabby in days, her family knew that something was wrong. They said that Gabby communicated with her family and friends often, so it was strange to not hear from her. On September 11th, days after Brian returned home, Gabby’s family reported her as a missing person. The police went to speak with Brian, but he would not give them any information on Gabby. Gabby’s family begged that Brian come forward with any information on where Gabby could be. He was the last known person who had been in contact with her. The family did not understand why Brian would not tell them where he left Gabby. The family pleaded “tell us if we are even looking in the right place. All we want is for Gabby to come home.”
On September 17th, Brian’s family finally allowed the police to come to their home. His family then told the police that they had not been in contact with Brian since September 14th. At this point in the case, Brian and Gabby are both considered missing persons. Also at this point in time, Brian is only considered a person of interest, not a suspect.
The Search
On September 18th, the FBI began searching the area for Gabby in Grand Teton National Park. The FBI and law officers also were conducting a search for Brain Laundrie at Carlton Reserve. Brian had told his family members that he was going on a hike at Carlton Reserve on September 14th. On September 19th, human remains were found during the search at Teton National Forest. The remains were consistent with the description of Gabby Petito, but at that time it had not been confirmed as her. Brian Laundrie had still not been found and the FBI were still searching for him.
On September 21st, 2021, the human remains were confirmed to be Gabby Petito. According to the forensic examination, the death was ruled a homicide. The FBI issued a search warrant for the home of Brian Laundrie in North Port, Florida. At this time, there have been no further details released on the investigation and Brian’s involvement.
Conclusion
It is a terrible thing to lose a child, and I am sure all of our hearts are breaking for the family of Gabby Petito. All that we can do is pray for her family to heal in this time and hope that the FBI can solve what really happened to Gabby.
