The case of Brian Laundrie and Gabby Petito is officially closed – and the end of the
story is beyond haunting.
For a few months in 2021, the world was captivated by the disappearance and then murder case
of Gabby Petito.
Only 22 years old, she was embarking on what should've been a life-changing cross-country
road trip with her fiancé — one that she documented religiously on her Instagram account
and on her video blog, Nomadic Statik.
Brian Laundrie, 23, had gone on many road trips with Gabby since they got together,
so there was no reason to suspect this trip would end any differently than the previous
trips.
In fact, the couple had even announced in a YouTube video they were "downsizing their
lives" so they could travel together full time.
That dream was cut tragically short.
Laundrie, 23, returned to his parents' home in Florida on September 1st, 2021 — two
months after Petito began posting about their latest road trip.
But Laundrie didn't have Petito with him.
Instead of filing a missing person's report or informing Petito's family, Laundrie went
camping with his parents,
Meanwhile, CNN reports that Petito's family hadn't heard anything from her since August
29.
North Port Police Chief Todd Garrison said in a statement, quote, "She maintained regular
contact with her family members during her travels; however that communication abruptly
stopped around the end of August."
As media attention swelled around the case, and with a manhunt underway to search the
last area Petito was reported seen, Petito's family had to beg Brian Laundrie to get involved
with the search for their daughter.
But on September 17, 2021, Laundrie was reported missing by his family.
Suddenly, two manhunts were underway — and both would end tragically.
While the separate searches for Petito and Laundrie were under way, more information
was starting to come out about the couple whose life looked picture-perfect on Instagram.
On August 12th, 2021, just a few weeks before Petito disappeared, the couple was stopped
by police in Moab, Utah, while they were having an argument.
The responding officer, who described Petito as "confused and emotional," told the couple
they needed to separate for the night and let them leave.
911 audio from that day reported a couple fitting Petito and Laundrie's descriptions
having a "domestic dispute.
"What were they doing?"
"We drove by and the gentleman was slapping the girl."
This wasn't the only witness to Brian Laundrie's treatment of Gabby Petito.
On August 27th, 2021, the couple was seen having another fight at a restaurant in Jackson,
Wyoming.
Petito was described by the witness, according to CNN, as being "in tears" while Laundrie
was "visibly angry."
August 27th was also the last time Petito's family believed they heard from her.
They had received a text on August 30th, a short message which read, "No service in Yosemite."
The family felt that this message was not written by Petito.
It was later revealed by the FBI that their instincts were right.
Between August 27th and August 29th, Laundrie was spotted by multiple people trying to hitchhike.
CNN reports that one witness even gave Laundrie a ride to the camping area of Spread Creek
in the Grand Tetons, where Laundrie and Petito had been staying.
During the car ride, Laundrie explained how he was traveling with his fiancée, who was
waiting for him in their van back at their campsite.
Petito's remains were found on September 19th, 2021, near the camp area Laundrie had asked
to be driven to.
An autopsy revealed that she had been beaten and strangled to death, then left in the wilderness.
Although Gabby Petito's body had been found, the manhunt for Brian Laundrie continued.
The FBI began releasing more information at this time, along with issuing a warrant for
Laundrie's arrest.
CNN explains Laundrie was suspected of using a debit card that did not belong to him, spending
more than $1000 between August 30th, 2021, and September 1st, 2021 — the same date
he returned to Florida without Petito.
On October 21st, 2021, one month after Petito was found, Laundrie's body was discovered
in a Florida swamp.
Many feared the truth of what happened to Petito was now lost.
After police searched the belongings found near Laundrie's body, though, they came across
a shocking piece of evidence.
Along with a revolver and backpack, Laundrie also had a notebook with him.
Inside the notebook was evidence that showed Laundrie had killed Petito.
Laundrie's death was ruled death by a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
In the forty-seven-page autopsy released to the public, it was also revealed that following
his death, his body was, quote, "subjected to moderately extensive carnivore activity
evidenced by multiple gouging and gnawing marks."
The case that captured the nation's attention is now considered to be closed.