The FBI released a statement that they discovered statements in Brian Laundrie’s notebook where he took responsibility for the death of Gabby Petito. The body of Laundrie was found in October in Florida’s Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park, along with some of his belongings, including a revolver and a notebook. The FBI in Denver issued a statement and said, “A review of the notebook revealed written statements by Laundrie claiming responsibility for Petito’s death”. FBI Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider issued a statement and said, “The investigation did not identify any other individuals other than Brian Laundrie directly involved in the tragic death of Gabby Petito. The FBI’s primary focus throughout the investigation was to bring justice to Gabby and her family”.
Schneider added, “The public’s role in helping us in this endeavor was invaluable as the investigation was covered in the media around the world”. The Laundrie family attorney, Steven Bertolino issued a statement in response to the FBI announcement. Bertolino said, “Gabby and Brian are no longer with their families and this tragedy has caused enormous emotional pain and suffering to all who loved either or both of them. We can only hope that with today’s closure of the case each family can begin to heal and move forward and find peace in and with the memories of their children. May Gabby and Brian both rest in peace”. The announcement by the FBI comes several months after the investigation into the disappearance and death of Petito took the nation by storm.
Point to be noted that Petito and her fiancé, Laundrie, were traveling across the country together and she was last seen near Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park. Laundrie returned to his parent’s home in North Port, Florida after Petito was reported missing by her parents in September. Moreover, human remains matching the description of Petito were found in a remote area of Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park & Bridger-Teton National Forest on September 19. The Teton County Coroner’s Office ruled Petito’s death after 2 days and declared her death as a homicide by manual strangulation. However, Laundrie was reported missing by his parents after he told them he was going for a hike in the nearby T. Mabry Carlton Jr. Memorial Reserve on September 17.