Many people across the world have been keeping up with the Gabby Petito case. This case has been ongoing since July of 2021. Petito and her fiancé Brian Laundrie were traveling in a van together on a four-month trip visiting and camping at national parks. They planned to sleep in their van and document their trip on different social media platforms including Instagram and YouTube.
On Aug.12 Petito and Laundrie were pulled over for disorderly conduct. Someone nearby reported seeing a confrontation between Gabby and Brian and called 911. Bodycam videos showed Petito crying and upset. The police report states that Petito hit Laundrie, but no arrest was made. The couple was separated that night. Laundrie got a hotel while Petito stayed in the van.
A few days later on Aug. 19 Petito and Laundrie posted a video on YouTube called “Van Life: Beginning Our Van Life Journey” where the couple were seen laughing and kissing. On Aug.24 they were both seen leaving a hotel in Salt Lake City. The next day the van was spotted at Grand Teton National Park. Here are where things started to get suspicious, on Aug.27 Petito’s mother received an odd text from Gabby. Then on Aug. 29 a well-known TikToker, Miranda Baker made a post claiming she picked up Laundrie, who was hitchhiking alone. The next day Petito’s mother received another strange text from Petito which read, “no service in Yosemite”.
On September first, Laundrie returned home to North Port, Florida, where he lived with Petito, but he was alone. On Sept. 11 Gabby was reported missing. Gabby’s mother filed a missing person’s report with the Suffolk County Police. On Sept. 13 Laundries’ parents tell police that Brain left the family’s home for a hike in the Carlton Reserve in Florida. On Sept. 15 Laundrie was identified as a person of interest in the Petito case. The next day police ask for the public’s help in finding Petito and Laundrie. Sadly after a few days of searching for Gabby, her remains were found near Grand Tetion National Park, where the van was previously spotted. The remains were confirmed to be Gabby’s on Sept. 21 and her death was ruled a homicide.
On September 23 an arrest warrant was issued for Laundrie. After a month of searching for Laundrie, on Oct 20 what appeared to be human remains were found at the site where they were searching for Laundrie. The next day the FBI confirmed that the human remains found, belonged to Brian Laundrie.
As the police were searching for Laundrie, six additional bodies were discovered. This case helped other families find their closure which was a blessing. As sad as this case was, it goes to show that you always have to keep your guard up and if you are being harmed, please let someone that you trust know.
