Megan Udinski, FISM News
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Nationwide attention has been brought to the case of a missing woman who was last seen at Grand Teton National Park.
Gabrielle “Gabby” Petito, 22, and her fiancé Brian Laundrie, 23, headed out west from Blue Point, NY on July 2 for a cross-country trip, but on Sept. 1, Laundrie returned home to Florida without Gabby. Laundrie and his parents have refused to talk to authorities despite her parents plea, and yesterday authorities revealed that they no longer know his whereabouts, leaving the case with a lot of questions but few answers.
What is known is that Gabby posted photos on July 5 at Monument Rocks Natural Landmark in Kansas and July 8 in Colorado Springs. The couple stayed at Utah’s Zion National Park from July 16-22, and on July 26 Gabby posted a photo of the two kissing at Mystic Hot Springs in Monroe, Utah.
Everything seemed normal until Aug. 12 when the couple was pulled over in Moab, Utah due to an anonymous report about a domestic problem taking place near the Moonflower Co-op, which resulted in Petito slapping Laundrie in the face and then Laundrie locking Petito out of their vehicle.
From the conversations with the couple, the police determined that Gabby was suffering from emotional/mental health issues and did not determine it to be a domestic violence situation. Since the couple assured the officers that they were in love and did not want any charges pressed, the officers insisted that, at a minimum, the couple take a night apart from each other much to their chagrin. The police found lodging for Laundrie while Petito stayed with the camper.
On Aug. 24 the couple checked out of a hotel in Salt Lake City. Later that day, Petito FaceTimed with her mom from Grand Teton National Park, which is her last known confirmed contact.
According to KSL 5 TV, witness Shannon Baker identified Petito and Laundrie’s van in the Jenny Lake parking area around 5 p.m. on Aug. 25. This information has enabled local law enforcement along with FBI Denver to start a more specific search for the missing woman.
UPDATE: The #FBI is working with our partners in the Teton County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson Police Department, the @NatlParkService and other state & local law enforcement agencies across the country in the investigation of Gabrielle “Gabby” Petito’s disappearance. #FindGabby pic.twitter.com/2ypZoBScvJ
— FBI Denver (@FBIDenver) September 16, 2021
While Gabby’s family did receive a text message on Aug. 30 saying that she and her fiancé were in Yosemite, the family is skeptical that the text was actually sent by Gabby, speculating that it might have been sent by Laundrie instead.
On Sept. 1, Brian returned home to North Port, Florida, without Gabby ,but did not report her missing.
Her family reported her as a missing person on Sept.11 after not hearing from her.
While there have been no arrests made, Laundrie is considered a person of interest especially because he had refused to speak with police or provide any information to help in the search for Gabby.
The City of North Port Chief of Police Todd Garrison explained in a conference on Sept. 16 that while Laundrie was considered a suspect, no criminality had been surmised as the priority of the investigators remained to find Petito. The main question is, “Where is Gabby?”
In an interview with Fox News, Gabby’s stepfather, Jim Schmidt, explained the investigation thus far and plead with the Laundrie family to reconsider their silence and to come clean with more information. You can watch his interview here.
To add a further twist to the story, on Sept. 17 Laundrie’s parents invited police to their home after they had refused to be in contact with them up to that point, revealing that they had not seen their son since Tuesday, Sept. 14.
A manhunt is currently underway for Laundrie.
The North Port Police Department, FBI, and agency partners are currently conducting a search of the vast Carlton Reserve for Brian Laundrie. His family says they believe he entered the area earlier this week. More details when available. pic.twitter.com/I5x7DvQ3Jt
— North Port Police (@NorthPortPolice) September 18, 2021
Our hearts go out to Petito’s family as they continue to search for answers and for Gabby. If you have any information regarding this case, the FBI has set up a hotline to receive tips. The number is 1-800-CALLFBI (225-5324).