Weeks of Worry: When and How Gabby Petito Died
Petito’s parents, Joseph Petito and Nichole Schmidt, last heard from their daughter in late August 2021, they told authorities. At the time, Petito told her parents that she and Laundrie were leaving Utah for Grand Teton National Park. Her last Instagram post is dated August 25, 2021.
Authorities found Petito’s body in the wilderness of the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area in Bridger-Teton National Forest next to Grand Teton National Park. Based on her body’s condition, it’s likely Petito died shortly after her last Instagram post, a coroner later said.
Following an autopsy, the coroner determined that Petito died from blunt force trauma and strangulation.
Brian Laundrie Becomes a Suspect in Gabby Petito’s Death
For weeks after Petito’s disappearance, Laundrie stayed silent, refusing to meet with police. North Port’s police chief, Todd Garrison, pleaded with Laundrie’s attorney to arrange a meeting with him.
“The lack of information from Brian is hindering the investigation,” Garrison said in a September 2021 statement.
But Laundrie’s attorney, Steven Bertolino, declined.
As police continued to search for Laundrie, federal authorities issued a warrant for his arrest. They weren’t accusing Laundrie of killing Petito. Instead, the warrant alleged that Laundrie had used a bank debit card belonging to Petito in the days after her disappearance.
Seven weeks after Laundrie had returned home alone, and four weeks after Petito’s body was found, authorities in Florida uncovered human remains in the wildlife area they’d been searching. After comparing dental records to the remains, authorities reported they had finally found Laundrie.
Why Did Brian Laundrie Kill Gabby Petito?
Petito’s family was still grasping to understand who was responsible for their daughter’s death and why she had been killed when authorities discovered Laundrie’s remains. Near his body in the 160-acre park, Laundrie’s pocket notebook gave them at least one answer.
In tight, blue handwriting, Laundrie confessed to killing Petito, according to a formal statement by FBI Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider announcing the completion of the investigation. No one else was suspected in her death, he added.
The FBI never disclosed the contents of the notebook nor Laundrie’s alleged incriminating statements. But months later, Bertolino, the Laundrie family’s attorney, released eight pages of the journal after the federal agency returned the notebook to Laundrie’s parents, Christopher and Roberta Laundrie.
Laundrie wrote that Petito fell during a hike in Utah, badly injuring her head. Petito was “gasping in pain,” Laundrie wrote, and “begging for an end to her pain.”
“I don't know the extent of Gabby’s ingerys (sic),” Laundrie continued, “only that she was in extreme pain. I ended her life, I thought it was merciful, that it is what she wanted, but I see now all the mistakes I made. I panicked, I was in shock. But from the moment I decided, took away her pain, I knew I couldn’t go on without her.”
On the final page that was released, Laundrie wrote: “I have killed myself by this creek in the hopes that annimals (sic) may tear me apart. That it may make some of her family happy.”
Petito’s mother didn’t believe Laundrie’s claims.
“That was his character, even in his last moments,” Schmidt said. “He wanted to make sure he looked like the good guy. That’s ridiculous. We know how she died.”
