The FBI in Denver said Sunday that officials found human remains in Wyoming that were consistent with the description of Gabby Petito, a 22-year-old missing woman.
- “Earlier today, human remains were discovered consistent with the description of Gabrielle ‘Gabby’ Petito,” said FBI Supervisory Agent Charles Jones at a press conference Sunday.
The cause of death has not been determined as of Sunday, the FBI said. A full forensic analysis has not been done yet, but will be done soon. The FBI has asked for privacy for her family at this time.
- The FBI in Denver, the National Park Service and other law enforcement providers offered an update on the investigation. The FBI did not take questions during the press conference.
- “#FBIDenver & our partners extend our condolences to Gabby’s family. We thank the public for your generous support of this investigation,” the FBI said in a statement.
The North Port Police in Florida, where Petito lived, issued the following statement after the press conference:
- “Saddened and heartbroken to learn that Gabby has been found deceased. Our focus from the start, along with the FBI, and national partners, has been to bring her home. We will continue to work with the FBI in the search for more answers,” the police said.
Earlier Sunday, Teton County Wyoming coroner Brent Blue said that a body had been found. He said he didn’t know the identity of the body, nor if it was a man or woman, per News Nation.
What happened to Gabby Petito?
Petito, 22, was first reported missing on Sept. 11 after a cross country road trip with her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie. The two left on their road trip back on July 2 and visited several locations across the West, including Mystic Hot Springs and Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands and Arches national parks. Photos of the trip were posted on Petito’s Instagram.
- The last photo was posted Aug. 25. The photo showed Petito holding a small knit pumpkin in front of a mural of butterflies, which is located in Ogden, Utah. Her family last heard from her on Aug. 30.
Where is her boyfriend Brian Laundrie?
Petito’s boyfriend, Laundrie, returned to their home in North Port, Florida, on Sept. 1. Just 10 days later, Petito was reported missing.
- Laundrie became a person of interest in the case last week after he invoked his Fifth Amendment right, choosing not to speak with police.
On Friday night, North Port Police said in a statement that Laundrie was missing after they were asked to visit his family’s house.
- “The attorney for the Laundrie family called FBI investigators Friday night indicating the family would like to talk about the disappearance of their son,” the police said. “The family now claims that they have not seen Brian since Tuesday of this week.”
The North Point Police have confirmed to the Deseret News that they are still investigating the whereabouts of Laundrie. The police said his disappearance is being treated as a missing person’s case, not as a criminal case.
- More than 50 law enforcement officers started a search in Florida for Laundrie.