Update: 09/22/21 – 03:30 PT – A county coroner has confirmed that the body found in Bridger-Teton National Forest is that of Gabby Petito, 22.
The FBI announced last night that the coroner has ruled her death a homicide, but stopped short of disclosing the cause of death until the autopsy has concluded. A forensic search of the camping area where her body was found has been conducted. The FBI, in coordination with the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the Teton County Sheriff’s Office, and the Jackson Police Department seek assistance from anyone who utilized the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area between the dates of August 27-30, 2021, and who may have had contact with Gabrielle “Gabby” Petito or may have seen her vehicle.
Her partner, Brian Laundrie, 23, is still missing in Florida and remains a ‘person of interest’ in the case.
Original article: 09/20/21 – A body discovered in the Bridger Teton National Forest, WY, is believed to be that of Gabby Petito who went missing last week while on a cross-country road trip with her fiancé.
The FBI, the National Park Service, and law enforcement made the announcement on Sunday evening in Grand Teton National Park. A full forensic identification hasn’t yet been completed and an autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday. A cause of death was not revealed.
“Full forensic identification has not been completed to confirm 100% that we found Gabby, but her family has been notified. This is an incredibly difficult time for family and friends.”
– FBI spokesman
FBI agents had spent the weekend searching campsites on the eastern border of Grand Teton National Park.
Gabrielle Petito, 22, from Blue Point, New York, was reported missing by her family on September 11. The last contact her family had with her was in the final week of August.
Petito and her partner Brian Laundrie were in a white 2012 Ford Transit. They left home on July 2nd. Laundrie has since returned home and is refusing to co-operate with investigators or speak publicly about what happened, reports Buckrail, and is currently missing in Florida. He has been identified as a person of interest in the case. The van, license QFTG03, has been recovered.
On Thursday, bodycam footage emerged from police in Utah of officers pulling over Petito and Laundrie after someone reported seeing a “domestic disturbance.” The traffic stop occurred on August 12 near Arches National Park. The bodycam video showed an emotional Petito, who sat inside a police cruiser while officers also questioned Laundrie.
