Gabby Petito update – Brian Laundrie confirmed dead as body parts found are identified as YouTuber’s fugitive fiance
BRIAN Laundrie was confirmed dead on Thursday as the human remains found at a Florida reserve on Wednesday were identified as YouTuber Gabby Petito’s fugitive fiance.
The FBI revealed on the evening of October 21, 2021, that “a comparison of dental records confirmed that the human remains found at the T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve and Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park are those of Brian Laundrie.”
Following the news of Brian Laundrie’s remains, the attorney for Gabby Petitio’s family said: “Gabby’s family is not doing interviews or making a statement at this time. They are grieving the loss of their beautiful daughter.
“Gabby’s family will make a statement at the appropriate time and when they are emotionally ready.”
The findings come after Brian Laundrie was named a “person of interest” in Gabby Petito’s murder for the first time after finding a notebook near where his remains were found.
Tampa special agent Michael McPherson told reporters: “The FBI and the North Port Police Department, and our law enforcement partners have been searching the area of the Carlton Reserve for Brian Laundrie, a person of interest in the murder of Gabby Petito.”
This is thought to be the first time that FBI agents have used the word “murder” in this case.
Gabby’s body was found in Grand Teton National park on September 19, eight days after her family reported her missing.
Read our Gabby Petito live blog for the latest news and updates…
-
SEVEN BODIES FOUND IN SEARCHES FOR BRIAN AND GABBY
Seven bodies were reportedly discovered in the searches for Brian and Gabby.
https://twitter.com/eminently_me5/status/1451011137546432518?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1451011137546432518%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.the-sun.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D3895366action%3Dedit
-
WAS AN ARREST WARRANT EVER ISSUED FOR BRIAN?
When Gabby Petito was reported missing, Laundrie was declared a person of interest, but no charges were filed.
That changed when he used Petito’s Capital One debit card on August 30.
The unauthorized use of a debit is a felony, and police issued a warrant for his arrest on September 24 while their search for Laundrie continued.
-
‘LUDICROUS’ CLAIMS
The Laundrie’s attorney, Steven Bertolino, spoke with News Nation Now to express his anger at the accusations that the Laundrie’s planted their son’s remains.
“Do you really think the Laundries had skeletal remains of their son, you know, in a plastic bag and brought them to present to the [Carlton Reserve]?” he said.
“Do you realize how ludicrous that is, how aggravating, how maddening it is to even hear those things?”
-
WHAT WAS BRIAN LAUNDRIE’S CAUSE OF DEATH?
Brian Laundrie’s cause of death has yet to be determined.
However, his remains were officially identified on October 21, 2021, after an extensive search at Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park.
The FBI released a statement after it was confirmed on October 21 that the human remains found in the search for Brian were bones.
-
PETITO FAMILY ATTORNEY STATEMENT
“Gabby’s family is not doing interviews or making a statement at this time. They are grieving the loss of their beautiful daughter. Gabby’s family will make a statement at the appropriate time and when they are emotionally ready.”
The statement was released after the news broke that the remains discovered yesterday were identified as Brian’s.
-
WHAT WAS GABBY PETITO’S FIANCE’S CAUSE OF DEATH?
Brian Laundrie’s cause of death has yet to be determined.
However, his remains were officially identified on October 21, 2021, after an extensive search at Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park.
The FBI released a statement after it was confirmed on October 21 that the human remains found in the search for Brian were bones.
-
GABBY & BRIAN’S BODIES IDENTIFIED EXACTLY ONE MONTH APART
Brian Laundrie’s cause of death has yet to be determined as his remains were identified to be his on October 21, 2021
The fugitive’s remains were found after an extensive search at Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park
And they were eerly discovered exactly one month earlier.
On September 21, 2021, the Teton County Coroner Dr. Brent Blue confirmed that the body foun in Wyoming was that of Gabby Petito.
Petito died as a result of a homicide.
-
BRIAN LAUNDRIE’S NOTEBOOK COULD BE SALVAGEABLE
North Port police told NewsNation’s Brian Entin they believe the notebook found by Laundrie’s remains could be salvageable.
-
AUTHORITIES USE THE TERM ‘MURDER’ FOR GABBY’S DEATH
Tampa-based special agent Michael McPherson told reporters on Wednesday, before the human remains were confirmed to be those of Brian: “The FBI and the North Port Police Department, and our law enforcement partners have been searching the area of the Carlton Reserve for Brian Laundrie, a person of interest in the murder of Gabby Petito.“
“Earlier today investigators found what appears to be human remains along with personal items, such as backpack and notebook, belonging to Brian Laundrie.”
“These items were found in an area that up until recently had been underwater.”
It’s thought that that was the first time FBI agents have used the word “murder” in the case.
-
GABBY PETITO TIMELINE
Gabby Petito timeline
Gabby Petito, 22, was last seen on August 24, leaving a hotel in Utah. Here is a timeline of Gabby Petito’s disappearance:
- June 2021 – Gabby Petito and her fiancé Brian Laundrie set off on a cross-country trip across the US.
- July 4 – Gabby posts photos of herself barefoot in Gove County, Kansas.
- July 8 – Gabby posts photos of herself at the Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado.
- July 18 – Gabby and Brian post photos of themselves at Utah’s Zion National Park.
- August 12 – Body camera footage was released in September showing an encounter Brian and Gabby had with police in Utah. Police confirmed that no significant injuries were reported.
- August 19 – Gabby and Brian post a video on their YouTube channel chronicling their trip.
- August 24 – Gabby is spotted leaving a hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah.
- August 25 – Gabby Facetimes her mom, Nichole Schmidt, for the final time. In a later police report, Schmidt said her conversations with her daughter revealed “more and more tension” between her and Brian.
- August 25 – Gabby also posts her last Instagram. No location is given.
- August 27 – Gabby is seen for what’s believed to be the final time. Witnesses claim they saw Brian in an explosive argument with staff at a restaurant in Jackson Hole, leaving Gabby in tears.
- August 27 – Four hours later, travel bloggers driving through Grand Teton National Park drive past the couple’s van “abandoned” on a dirt road.
- September 1 – Brian returns home to Florida without Gabby.
- September 11 – Gabby’s parents report her missing to Suffolk County police.
- September 14 – Brian’s family issues a statement saying he has retained an attorney and will not be cooperating with investigators.
- September 14 – Brian is allegedly last seen by his family. He reportedly told them he was going hiking in Cartlon Reserve but failed to return.
- September 15 – Florida’s North Port police announce Brian is a person of interest in the case. He is not charged with any crime.
- September 16 – Utah police release body camera footage of the police encounter with Brian and Gabby.
- September 17 – Brian’s parents say they have not seen their son in a couple of days and report him missing.
- September 18 – Police announce they were searching Carlton Reserve in Florida for Brian. Police announce they have not found anything.
- September 19 – Authorities in Wyoming say they found a body in Grand Teton National Park. The FBI announces the body was believed to be Gabby’s but a full forensic identification needs to be completed first to confirm.
- September 20 – Police execute a search warrant on Laundrie’s home, seizing his silver Mustang and a hard drive that may contain “evidence relevant to proving that a felony has been committed.”
- September 21 – Officials announce they will be conducting an autopsy on the remains found in Wyoming to confirm whether or not they belong to Gabby. Police also resumed their search for Laundrie, this time on the Venice side of Carlton Reserve.
- September 21 – The FBI announced the body found in Wyoming was identified as Gabby’s. The cause of death was not yet revealed.
- September 21 – The Teton County Coroner’s office said Gabby’s official cause of death was still pending but the initial manner of death is homicide.
- September 22 – Police continue to scour Carlton Reserve for a trace of Laundrie but yield no leads. A specialist dive team is called in to assist with the hunt.
- September 23 – Officials announced a federal arrest warrant for Brian was issued.
- September 26 – Gabby’s funeral was held on Long Island, New York.
- October 12: Gabby’s autopsy results were made public. Teton County Coroner Dr Brent Blue confirmed Gabby died by strangulation.
- October 20: Laundrie’s personal items were found at the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park. A medical examiner was called to the scene.
- October 21: The FBI confirmed the remains found have been identified as Laundrie’s.
-
PETITO FAMILY ‘NOT MAKING STATEMENT AT THIS TIME’
The attorney for Gabby Petito’s family released a statement following the identification of Brian Laundrie’s remains.
The statement read: “Gabby’s family is not doing interviews or making a statement at this time. They are grieving the loss of their beautiful daughter.
“Gabby’s family will make a statement at the appropriate time and when they are emotionally ready.”
-
TRAGIC WARNING
Gabby’s mom Nichole Schmidt revealed that she was “worried” when 22-year-old Gabby launched her planned four-month cross-country road trip touring America’s national parks with Laundrie, 23, in July.
“I told her to be careful, be safe,” she told 60 Minutes Australia. “To be aware of your surroundings. Don’t trust anybody.”
-
‘NO FURTHER COMMENT’ AFTER REMAINS IDENTIFIED
Brian Laundrie was confirmed dead on Thursday after the FBI identified the partial skull found Wednesday as belonging to the 23-year-old fugitive using his dental records
Detectives arrived at the Laundrie family home on Thursday evening to tell his parents that the skeletal remains found yesterday were their son.
“Chris and Roberta Laundrie have been informed that the remains found yesterday in the reserve are indeed Brian’s,” Laundrie attorney Steven Bertolino announced.
“We have no further comment at this time and we ask that you respect the Laundrie’s privacy at this time.”
The FBI also confirmed that identification in a statement.
-
GABBY’S WEDDING PLANS
The 22-year-old vlogger had mapped out several design schemes and alfresco ideas for her nuptials on her Pinterest page in an album poignantly titled “Life goals.”
The curated collection of images, which include photos of outdoor ceremonies and beachfront banquets, is shared with Brian Laundrie, his mother Roberta, and a fourth account by the name of “PinJunkeeMama.”
A sub-folder within the album, titled “Oh Baby” and shared between the same four people, indicates that Gabby and Laundrie may have been planning to eventually have a child together.
-
BRIAN LAUNDRIE CONFIRMED DEAD
FBI Denver took to Twitter to reveal the news on Thursday evening.
The FBI statement read: “On October 21, 2021, a comparison of dental records confirmed that the human remains found at the T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve and Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park are those of Brian Laundrie.”
-
GABBY’S MOM WANTED BRIAN JAILED ‘FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE’
In a heartbreaking interview that laid bare her devastation and anger, mom Nichole Schmidt slammed Laundrie as a “coward” who “knows what he is doing.”
Before his remains were identified, in an interview with 60 minutes, Gabby’s mom Nichole said: “He is a coward. “I just want to get him in a cell for the rest of his life.”
“I don’t want to say he is insane or anything, he went home, he’s hiding, he used her credit card.”
“I mean, that’s not someone who has gone crazy. He knows what he is doing.”
-
MOMENT COPS ARRIVE TO REVEAL BRIAN CONFIRMED DEAD
Two cops were seen arriving at the home of Brian Laundrie’s parents to reveal the remains found in a Florida nature reserve belong to their fugitive son on Thursday.
The young man’s mother and father were both informed of the loss of their missing 23-year-old fugitive son, the FBI confirmed.
-
WHAT WAS GABBY’S CAUSE OF DEATH?
On September 21, 2021, the Teton County Coroner Dr. Brent Blue confirmed that Petito died as a result of a homicide.
On October 12, 2021, the official autopsy report was released by Teton County revealing that Gabby’s cause of death was strangulation.
Petito’s body was found in Wyoming.
On the same day, an attorney for Petito’s family released a brief statement to the media while waiting for the autopsy results.
“I want to personally thank the press and news media for giving the Petito and Schmidt family time to grieve,” lawyer Richard Stafford said. “We will be making a statement when Gabby is home. I will contact you to arrange a time and location.”
-
TIMELINE OF GABBY PETITO’S FIANCE BRIAN LAUNDRIE
On September 1, Laundrie returned home from the couple’s cross-country trip and had hired an attorney but is not cooperating with the police.
On Friday, September 17, Laundrie’s attorney then confirmed his client was missing.
After the discovery of Gabby’s body, the FBI searched his home for evidence involving the case and his whereabouts.
On October 20, Laundrie’s personal items were found in Myakkahatchee Creek Park. The medical examiner was called in and a tent was set up at the trail in Florida Laundrie was said to have frequented.
The remains found in the search for Laundrie have been identified as his.
-
GABBY PETITO FOUNDATION
On October 3, 2021, Gabby’s family announced that they had launched the Gabby Petito Foundation in honor of their late daughter.
“The Gabby Petito Foundation is up and running!,” a post on the foundation’s Twitter page read. “We have a lot of work to do, website is just starting out so be patient with us, we will get there. Thank you for all the support and love!”
The family then repeated a phrase coined by Gabby’s dad in an Instagram post after her remains were found at a Wyoming campsite on September 19: “She touched the world.”
-
WHAT WAS GABBY PETITO’S FIANCE’S CAUSE OF DEATH?
Brian Laundrie’s cause of death has yet to be determined.
However, his remains were officially identified on October 21, 2021, after an extensive search at Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park.
The FBI released a statement after it was confirmed on October 21 that the human remains found in the search for Brian were bones.
-
CAN CHRIS & ROBERTA LAUNDRIE GO TO JAIL?
Chris and Roberta Laundrie are not currently facing any charges in relation to the case and there is no indication that authorities intend to charge the couple.
Brian’s parents initially claimed to have last seen their son on September 14 but later revised that date in a statement issued through their attorney.
After finally reporting him missing on September 17, they told police they had driven to the reserve in search of him.
-
COPS ‘MISSED A LOT OF THINGS’
Gabby Petito Foundation fundraiser attendee Regina Annunziata said Moab police missed that Gabby was in danger when they pulled her and Brian over.
“Just her demeanor, and, you know, they missed a lot of things. Yeah, and you can’t fault them but at the same time, I think there needs to be more awareness around these types of things and especially because they were so young.
“Amongst everybody whether that’s the police, friends, family needs to be more aware of the red flags and the signs to look out for.”
-
‘I KNOW WHY YOU CAME HERE’
Last Friday, Gabby’s dad Joe posted the “beautiful view” of a lake near where Gabby’s body was found in Wyoming.
“I now know why you came here. #gabbypetito has a beautiful view from now on. Love you, and miss you,” Joseph Petito wrote on Twitter, alongside a picture of a lake surrounded by mountains.
-
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
As Gabby’s death is considered to be a likely case of domestic violence, it is noted that of the one in four women who are victims of domestic violence, only 34 percent seek medical care for their injuries.
