The sad Gabby Petito saga that begins with her and Brian Laundrie crossing the country and ends with her strangulated to death near Grand Teton National Park is finally over, with the FBI finding near his remains a notebook with a confession he killed her.
The notebook, his remains and other personal items were found on October 7 in Florida’s Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park. It was the final step for Laundrie in a story that began in late August 2021 when Petito disappeared after the pair crossed the country, with the trail ending in a Bridger-Teton National Forest campground, next to Grant Teton National Park. Petito was found approximately three weeks after her last known communication on September 19, 2021 after an exhaustive search in the Bridger-Teton National Forest campground. After leaving her remains there, Laundrie returned to his parents’ Florida home, using her phone and debit cards along the way. He also sent texts to and from her phone to throw off investigators. He then left September 17, 2021 for the Florida park, where he killed himself, ending the Petito saga when his remains were discovered.
“All logical investigative steps have been concluded in this case,” said FBI Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider via press release. “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.”
Photo from Gabby Petito (@gabspetito) Instagram account.
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