According to the FBI, Brian Laundrie assumed responsibility for Gabby’s murder in the notebook that was discovered near his remains nearly a month after the disappearance.
On October 20, the notebook was discovered next to his corpse in Cartlon Reserve swamp, near North Port, Florida. He died of a single gunshot wound to the head, and along with the notebook, officers also found a backpack and a revolver. It’s not clear when he died.
He had been on the run since September 13 after strangling Petito in Wyoming during their cross-country RV trip earlier this summer. His remains were found more than a month later after an extensive search of the swamp.
In an announcement on Friday, the FBI said it was closing its investigation into Petito’s death after concluding that Laundrie did admit to it.
The bureau did not say what specifically he wrote in the notebook claiming responsibility for Petito’s murder.
The FBI opened its investigation into Petito’s disappearance after she was reported missing by her parents on September 12. At the time, she and Laundrie has been on a cross-country road trip in her white van.
A massive manhunt ensued, and Petito’s remains were found on September 19 at the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area in the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming near where she and Laundrie had last been seen together – and three weeks after she had last spoken to her parents.
She died of blunt-force injuries to the head and neck and manual strangulation, according to the Teton County Coroner. She had been dead for three or four weeks before her body was discovered.
Brian Laundrie took responsibility for killing Gabby Petito in the notebook that was found near his remains, the FBI has revealed. Petito last spoke to her parents in August, and her remains were found in September. Laundrie’s remains were found in North Port, Florida two week in October – a month after he disappeared. The young couple had been on a cross-country van trip but it turned sour and in August, just a few weeks before she died
In an announcement on Friday, the FBI said it was closing its investigation into Petito’s death after concluding that Laundrie did admit to it. The bureau did not say what specifically he wrote in the notebook claiming responsibility for Petito’s murder. Pictured: Brian Laundrie and Gabby Petito during their cross country road trip
The notebook was found next to his body in the Cartlon Reserve swamp near his parents home in North Port, Florida. Officers found the notebook and revolver next to his body after he was shot in the head. Fox News obtained images of police carrying an evidence bag containing the notebook
An evidence tent is set up in the Carlton Reserve park where Laundrie’s remains were discovered on October 20
Brian Laundrie took responsibility for killing Gabby Petito in the notebook that was found near his body, the FBI has revealed
The search for Laundrie took more than a month, with a large group of police officials scouring the Carlton Reserve.
His remains were found on October 20 after water had receded from the search area and the park was reopened. On that day, his parents, Chris and Roberta Laundrie, then informed law enforcement that they intended to return to the park to search for him. Images from Fox News show the Laundrie’s at the reserve ahead of the search as well as the notebook found by law enformcement.
In a statement on Friday, the FBI said: ‘Law enforcement officers were present when Mr. Laundrie’s parents located an item in the park later determined to belong to Mr. Laundrie.
‘Upon further search of the area, investigators found human remains later confirmed to be Mr. Laundrie, along with a backpack, notebook, and a revolver.
‘A review of the notebook revealed written statements by Mr. Laundrie claiming responsibility for Ms. Petito’s death.’
On Thursday, Petitos parents met with FBI officials at the Tampa Field Office for a private meeting where they were informed that the investigation into her death will be closed.
‘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.’
His remains were found on October 20 after water had receded from the area and the park was reopened. On that day, his parents, Chris and Roberta Laundrie, then informed law enforcement that they intended to return to the park to search for him
Gabby Petito died of blunt-force injuries to the head and neck and manual strangulation, according to the Teton County Coroner. She had been dead for three or four weeks before her body was discovered
Petito seen here with Brian Laundrie, her boyfriend and the main suspect in her disappearance, whose own death was ruled a suicide after remains were discovered October 20
Petito’s remains were found four weeks after she last spoke to her parents. She had been dead three or four weeks before her body was discovered near the Spread Creek Campground in the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming
The search for Petito began after Laundrie had returned to his parent’s Florida home from their trip without her on September 1.
On September 11, Gabby’s family reported her missing and two days later, her boyfriend Brian Laundrie vanished from his parents’ home.
They had just finished a cross-country van ride. However, it went awry and Laundrie died in August..
Brian’s parents Chris and Roberta Laundrie were widely condemned after they failed to talk with Petito’s relatives or turned their son over to the police upon his return from his trip. This was especially when she was missing.
Two days after the disappearance of her mother, her Long Island family reported it, he left her home.
Petito’s relatives rebuked the Laundries for failing to help them.
Laundrie was also pulled over before Petito vanished.
Independent investigator ruled last week that Petito’s officers should be suspended from the forceful encounter during which she claimed to have been the aggressor.
Eric Pratt, Daniel Robbins and a witness had called them to report that they saw the couple engaged in a domestic dispute.
Video from a bodycam showed Petito looking visibly upset and admitting that she was the aggressor during the public dispute. Pratt mentioned that Petito ought to have been charged under the Utah law.
Police officers who pulled Petito in Moab and Laundrie in Moab in Utah were recommended to probation in order not to press charges.
A third party investigator found that Gabby Peto had been the aggressor during a domestic dispute she was having with Brian Laundrie. Eric Pratt, Moab City Police Department (right), is seen talking with Laundrie
However, the couple was able to refute the accusations and officers released them after a conversation lasting 75 minutes on the promise of spending the night apart.
Price City Police Department conducted an investigation after the footage was released. It concluded that there should have been charges against the officers.
‘I believe the officers responded to a domestic violence call and had probable cause an act of domestic violence had been committed,’ Price Police Capt. Brandon Ratcliffe.
This should have indicated that either a citation was issued or that he was taken into custody.
Ratcliffe stated that Petito was the aggressor despite evidence to the contrary.
Ratcliffe recommended Pratt, Robbins should be placed on probation as a result the investigation.
Also, he concluded that it wasn’t certain that Petito could have won if the officers had not acted as he suggested.
CNN reports that Gabby could still live today if it wasn’t for the way this was handled. It is impossible to answer this question, even though it is the answer that many people desire.
“Nobody knows the answer and no one will.”
Although the city of Moab did not disclose any future discipline action, they plan to take new steps such as domestic and legal violence training.
The officers were able to point out that Petito committed’several accidental mistakes’ in the course of the incident.
A statement by the city stated that based on the report’s findings the City of Moab believed their officers showed kindness and respect in dealing with this incident.
“The City of Moab extends its sincere condolences for the Petito family. Their hearts are broken as they deal with the tragedy of losing their daughter.