When 22-year-old Gabby Petito went missing in 2021 during what was meant to be a four month road trip across America, her name, and the circumstances surrounding her mysterious disappearance made headlines around the world.
Petito had set off with her high school sweetheart and fiancé, 23-year-old Brian Laundrie, on the trip of a lifetime, deciding to share their “van life” on Instagram and YouTube along the way.
But when the avid vlogger and social media creator famous for documenting her daily life suddenly went dark without warning, concerned followers began to question where their favourite travel influencer had gone.
As family, friends and internet sleuths launched investigations of their own in an attempt to uncover what exactly might have occurred in the lead up to her posting pause, the focus began to shift to Laundrie and his involvement in the unfolding case.
Speculation reached fever pitch when on September 1, 2021, just a month into their trip, Laundrie returned to his Florida home in the couple’s camper van without Petito.
Ten days later, after repeated attempts to contact Gabby had failed, Petito’s family reported her missing to local police in Suffolk County, New York.
The FBI investigation into her whereabouts began a day later on September 12, 2021, where federal, state and local officials came together to search the last area she’d made contact from – the Grand Teton National Park and the Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming.
Attempts to question Laundrie came up short when local investigators sent to his home were told by his family that they were to contact their attorney.
Appealing to anyone who might have any information regarding their daughter, her parents appeared at a police press conference to plead for the Laundrie family’s cooperation.
A letter read out by the Petito family lawyer revealed a desperate message. “Please, if you or your family have any decency left, please, tell us where Gabby is located,” he read. “Tell us if we are even looking in the right place. All we want is for Gabby to come home. Please help us make that happen.”
“We haven’t been able to sleep or eat, and our lives are falling apart.”
After a week of hearing nothing from Brian or his parents, authorities were called to the Laundrie family home where Brian’s parents told police that their son hadn’t been seen since September 14 (later changed to the 13th) and they were concerned for his safety.
On September 19, FBI officials released a statement alerting media that remains “consistent with the description of” Petito had been discovered in Teton County.
Attempts to understand the circumstances surrounding Petito’s death continued, with a federal arrest warrant eventually being issued for Brian in relation to unauthorised use of Pepito’s debit card for charges between August 30 and September 1.
So what exactly happened to Gabby and what was her fiancé’s involvement in it all? Below, an overview of the chilling case that caught the attention of the world.
What Was Gabby Petito’s Cause Of Death?
The details surrounding the murder of Gabby Petito were finally made public after her remains were discovered on September 20, 2021 in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.
After an initial coroners report determined her death to be a case of homicide, the official cause of death wasn’t released until October 12 after a detailed investigation by forensic pathologists and local authorities.
In an announcement shared by Teton County Coroner Brent Blue following the investigation, it was revealed that Petito’s cause of death was due to “blunt-force injuries to the head and neck, with manual strangulation.”
The report also stated that Petito’s body had been left out in the wilderness for around three to four weeks before her remains were discovered.
What Happened To Brian Laundrie?
On September 17, 2021, Brian Laundrie was reported missing by his parents, who claimed their son had left for a hike on September 14 and never returned.
On September 24, the FBI issued a federal arrest warrant for “use of unauthorised devices” after it was discovered that Brian had used a debit card and pin number for accounts allegedly belonging to Gabby after she was thought to have gone missing.
Still being pursued by investigators in relation to Gabby’s disappearance, local teams spent weeks attempting to track him down before eventually discovering his remains on October 20.
In a press conference held at the time by FBI Tampa Division Special Agent in Charge, Michael McPherson, it was revealed that the remains had been found in the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in North Port, Florida.
The park was near Carlton Reserve, the site claimed by Laundrie’s parents to be the last known location of their son before he went missing.
While at first it was unclear if the remains belonged to Laundrie given the unforgiving nature of the terrain, a forensic anthropologist later identified him as the deceased through a thorough dental record and DNA comparison.
At the time, personal items belonging to Laundrie were also recovered from the site, including a notebook, backpack, dry bag and some items of clothing, each affected by the watery terrain.
Autopsy reports confirming the results were released on November 23, with the cause of death ruled as suicide.
“Chris and Roberta Laundrie have been informed that the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head and the manner of death was suicide,” the Laundrie family lawyer Steven Bertolino told WFLA. “Chris and Roberta are still mourning the loss of their son and are hopeful that these findings bring closure to both families.”
Who Killed Gabby Petito?
A statement released by the FBI on January 21, 2022 outlined the final update in the Gabby Petito murder case, revealing that authorities had spoken with the Petito family and the case would be closed.
As part of the final update, the organisation disclosed its findings to conclude there was no evidence to suggest anyone other than Laundrie was involved in Petito’s death.
“All logical investigative steps have been concluded in this case,” said FBI Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider.
“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. The public’s role in helping us in this endeavor was invaluable as the investigation was covered in the media around the world. On behalf of the FBI, I want to express my deepest appreciation to the public for the thousands of tips that were provided during the investigation, and to our local, state and federal law enforcement partners for their work throughout the investigation.”
On Friday June 24, 2022 the Laundrie family decided to release eight pages from the notebook that was found alongside his remains, after it was returned following the conclusion of the investigation into Gabby Petito’s murder.
In it, according to a copy of its pages shared with WINK News, Laundrie confessed to murdering Gabby.
A statement made by Bertolino at the time said: “Today the Petito family attorney, Patrick Reilly, and myself met with the FBI in Tampa to sort through and take possession of the personal items that belonged to Gabby and Brian. This was a previously agreed upon exchange to enable both the Petitos and the Laundries to receive what belonged to their respective children. As part of this return of property in FBI custody I was given Brian’s notebook. I would like to share with the public the note that the FBI alluded to when they said on January 21, 2022 that Brian claimed responsibility for the death of Gabby Petito. Although I have chosen to release this letter as a matter of transparency I will not be commenting further as there are still proceedings pending in Court. These are Brian’s words:”
“I’m sorry to everyone this will affect. Gabby was the love of my life but I know adored by many. I’m so very sorry to her family, because I love them.”
On another page he alluded to Petito being injured and alleged he tried to help her.
“I don’t know the extent of Gabby’s ingerys (sic) 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.”
Following the stark admission, Laundrie outlined his intention to end his life.
“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,” before adding – in a different pen: “Please pick up all of my things. Gabby hated people who litter.”
What Was The Shocking Letter From Brian Laundrie’s Mother?
In 2022, Gabby Petito’s parents filed a civil case against the parents of Brian Laundrie for failing to disclose that their son admitted to killing Gabby.
The case fell short of accusing the parents of a crime, but instead, alleged the Laundrie family had caused significant emotional distress as a result of their actions.
While the case was resolved and settled in 2024 after both parties had “reluctantly agreed” to a deal after “a long day of mediation,” as reported by the BBC, certain details emerged that would shock even the most staunchly protective of parents.
One notable piece of evidence that found its way into the public realm was a letter written by Laundrie’s mother, Roberta.
The letter, found by investigators, was concealed in an envelope with the words “burn after reading” written on its front.
But if that wasn’t incriminating enough, the contents is as haunting as it gets.
Writing to her son, Roberta told him: “If you’re in jail I will bake a cake and put a file in it. If you need to dispose of a body, I will show up with a shovel and garbage bags.”
At the time, Roberta Laundrie had attempted to deny the sinister contents, instead claiming it was in reference to “quirky” parts of her son’s favourite childhood books.
During the court proceedings, CNN reported that the Petito family lawyer called out Roberta’s claims, stating: “As we all know the letter references buring a body bringing a shovel and burying a body.
“Those are criminal acts, by the way, that Roberta Laundrie has said she would commit,” said attorney Patrick Reilly.
Brian’s parents fought hard to have the letter excluded from the case, arguing that it was penned by Roberta before the couple set off on the ill-fated cross-country trip. But unfortunately for them, the judge overruled their request.
Where To Watch The Gabby Petito Documentary
Although they’ve been a slew of true crime podcasts and television series based on the events of Gabby Petito’s murder, the latest documentary to be released promises to bring new details to light.
As told by Gabby’s family and friends, American Murder: Gabby Petito is a three-part documentary that reveals the untold story of what really happened to social media vlogger in the lead up to her untimely death.
Uncovering text messages, video footage and excerpts from Petito’s personal diaries, the investigation delves into the social media star’s abusive relationship, showing that behind her enviable online life, lay a dark reality.
American Murder: Gabby Petito is available to stream on Netflix from February 17, 2025.
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