Brian Laundrie wrote he was responsible for Gabby Petito’s death in notebook, FBI says
Jan 21, 2022, 1:46 PM | Updated: 2:43 pm
Gabby Petito (Police photo)
(Police photo)
SALT LAKE CITY — The FBI released its final update from its investigation into Gabby Petito’s death, saying Brian Laundrie wrote he was responsible for Petito’s death in his notebook.
On Oct. 20, investigators found Laundrie’s remains along with a backpack, notebook and a revolver in a Florida park near the home of Laundrie’s parents. A medical examiner determined Laundrie died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound the following month.
“All logical investigative steps have been concluded in this case,” said FBI Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider. “The investigation did not identify any other individuals other than Brian Laundrie directly involved in the tragic death of Gabby Petito. The FBI’s primary focus throughout the investigation was to bring justice to Gabby and her family. The public’s role in helping us in this endeavor was invaluable as the investigation was covered in the media around the world. On behalf of the FBI, I want to express my deepest appreciation to the public for the thousands of tips that were provided during the investigation, and to our local, state and federal law enforcement partners for their work throughout the investigation.”
#BREAKING Brian Laundrie wrote in his notebook that he was responsible for the death of #GabbyPetito — @FBI pic.twitter.com/R6QEL1nE9X
— Morgan Wolfe (@MorganWolfeKSL) January 21, 2022
Petito was reported missing in September after she was seen traveling through Utah and Wyoming. Laundrie and Petito had been traveling across the country in a van since early July.
Moab police responded to an Aug. 12 incident between Petito and Laundrie before search efforts focused on the Grant Teton National Park area and the Florida home of Laundrie’s parents.
On Sept. 15, Brian Laundrie was named a person of interest in the case and Petito’s Instagram account was briefly taken down by the company before being restored.
The FBI says Laundrie’s Ford Mustang was later recovered from the T. Mabry Carlton Jr. Memorial Reserve and Myakkahatchee Creek Park in North Port, Florida.
Petito’s remains were located in Teton County, Wyoming, on Sept. 19
Teton County Coroner Dr. Brent Blue ruled Petito’s cause of death was strangulation, and said she died three to four weeks before her body was found near an undeveloped camping area along the border of Grand Teton National Park in remote northern Wyoming.
Authorities paused the search for Laundrie in the 24,000-acre Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County, Florida the next day.
“The area where Mr. Laundrie’s remains were later found was part of this search area, but the area was submerged due to recent flooding at the time of this initial search,” the FBI said.
Laundrie’s remains were located in the park on Oct. 20, along with a notebook and a revolver.
The District 12 Medical Examiner’s Office in Sarasota, Florida, said Laundrie died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The notebook was recovered and analyzed by the FBI before Friday’s announcement.
