Killing of Gabby Petito

2021 homicide case in Utah and Wyoming

Gabrielle Venora Petito (March 19, 1999 – c. August 27, 2021) was an American woman from Suffolk County, New York, who was reported missing on September 11, 2021. Her body was found on September 19 in Wyoming with her cause of death being a homicide. Her partner, Brian Laundrie, was the main suspect behind her death. He was found dead on October 20, 2021.

Gabby Petito
Born
Gabrielle Venora Petito

(1999-03-19)March 19, 1999[1]
DisappearedAugust 27, 2021 (aged 22)
StatusFound dead
Cause of deathHomicide by strangulation
Body discovered(2021-09-19)September 19, 2021
Teton County, Wyoming, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
EducationBayport-Blue Point High School
Years active2002—2021 (19 Years)
Height5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
PartnerBrian Laundrie (2019–2021)
ParentJoseph Petito (father) Nichole Schmidt (mother)

Background change

Petito was traveling across the United States with her fiancé. Her family lost contact with her in late August when she was in or near Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.[2] Her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, is missing and wanted for questioning in her disappearance and death.[3]

Body found change

On September 19, 2021, authorities said they found a body that matched what Petito looked like. It was discovered in Bridger–Teton National Forest, Wyoming.[4][5][6] Two days later it was confirmed that the remains were Petito's and, based on reports from an autopsy, it was reported that her cause of death was homicide.[4] In October, her death was determined to have occurred three to four weeks before her body was found with the cause being homicide by strangulation.[7]

Brian Laundrie change

Police officials are searching for Petito's ex-fiance Brian Laundrie, was missing beginning on September 14. He was the main suspect in her death. On September 22, the Federal Bureau of Investigation issued a warrant for Laundrie's arrest on charges of debit card fraud.[8][9]

On October 20, Laundrie's remains and some of his belongings were found at a park in North Port, Florida, that had recently been underwater due to flooding.[10]

References change

  1. "GABRIELLE PETITO — FBI". fbi.gov. 2021-09-17. Archived from the original on 2021-09-18. Retrieved 2021-09-20.
  2. Cramer, Maria (September 15, 2021). "A 'Vanlife' Couple Went on a Cross-Country Trip, but Only One Returned". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2021-09-18. Retrieved 2021-09-20.
  3. Moshtaghian, Artemis; Alsharif, Mirna; Maxouris, Christina (September 15, 2021). "Police looking for missing woman Gabby Petito ask for her boyfriend's cooperation". Jenn Selva, Ben Norbitz, Andy Rose and Claudia Dominguez. CNN. Archived from the original on 2021-09-18.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Sutton, Joe; Caldwell, Travis; Andone, Dakin (2021-09-19). "Human remains found in Wyoming are "consistent" with description of Gabby Petito, FBI says". Travis Caldwell, Andy Rose, Jenn Selva, Alta Spells, Shawn Nottingham, Christina Maxouris, Aya Elamroussi, Rob Frehse, MiSeon Lee and Deanna Hackney. CNN. Retrieved 2021-09-19.
  5. Reardon, Sophie (September 19, 2021). "Body found in Wyoming "consistent with the description" of Gabby Petito, officials say". CBS News. Retrieved 2021-09-19.
  6. "Gabby Petito: Body matching missing woman found in Wyoming". BBC News. 2021-09-20. Archived from the original on September 21, 2021. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  7. GRUVER, MEAD (October 12, 2021). "Coroner: Gabby Petito strangled 3-4 weeks before body found". Associated Press.
  8. Vera, Amir. "The search for Gabby Petito's fiancé Brian Laundrie continues this week. Here's why it's been so hard to find him". CNN. Archived from the original on September 21, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  9. "On September 22, 2021, the U.S. District Court of Wyoming issued a federal arrest warrant for Brian Christopher Laundrie pursuant to a Federal Grand Jury indictment related to Mr. Laundrie's activities following the death of Gabrielle Petito". Twitter. Retrieved 2021-09-23.
  10. Haynes, Danielle (October 21, 2021). "FBI IDs remains in Florida park as those of Brian Laundrie". United Press International.

Other websites change