https://www.today.com/news/gabby-petito-s-manner-death-was-homicide-coroner-determines-t231850?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=news_tab&utm_content=algorithm
Gabby Petito's remains confirmed and manner of death was homicide, coroner determines
The remains were found Sunday at a campground in Bridger-Teton National Forest, near Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.
The Teton County coroner has confirmed that remains found at a Wyoming campground are in fact those of 22-year-old Gabby Petito and the manner of death is homicide, the FBI announced Tuesday.
The cause of death remains pending final autopsy results, the FBI Denver Division said in a statement. Investigators are committed to making sure anyone involved in Petito's death "is held accountable for their actions," FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider said Tuesday.
"Mr. Brian Laundrie has been named a person of interest," Schneider said. "Anyone with information concerning Mr. Laundrie's role in this matter or his current whereabouts should contact the FBI."
The remains were found Sunday at the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area campground in Bridger-Teton National Forest, near Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.
Petito was on a cross-country road trip with Laundrie, her fiancé, and was last known to have been in Grand Teton National Park late last month, when she stopped communicating with her family.
Laundrie, 23, initially would not cooperate with police, and then disappeared. His family told investigators he had gone hiking in Carlton Reserve last Tuesday and never returned.
The FBI on Monday searched the Florida home where Laundrie and Petito were living with his parents.
The agency said it was "executing a court-authorized search warrant today at the Laundrie residence in North Port, FL relevant to the Gabrielle 'Gabby' Petito investigation," and later tweeted that it was concluded. No further details were released.
Petito and Laundrie began their tour of national parks in July, documenting their journey on YouTube and Instagram using the hashtag #VanLife. Laundrie returned home to North Port, south of Tampa, in the couple's van Sept. 1 — 10 days before Petito's family reported her missing, police have said.
Petito's mom, Nicole Schmidt, said she last heard from her daughter at the end of August. Petito's last text read: "No service in Yosemite." It is unclear whether Petito sent that text message.
On Monday, the Grand County Sheriff's Office in Utah released 911 audio from a witness who said he saw a man slap a woman, and then saw a white Ford Transit van bearing a Florida license plate drive away.
The 911 call led Moab police to stop the van Aug. 12.
The witness told the dispatcher that he'd like to report a "domestic dispute."
"We drove by and the gentleman was slapping the girl," the witness said. "... And then we stopped. They ran up and down the sidewalk, he proceeded to hit her, hopped in the car, and then drove off."
Moab police said they responded to a "domestic problem" between Petito and Laundrie that afternoon. No charges were filed.
The alleged dispute happened as Petito and Laundrie were driving toward Arches National Park, about a month before Petito was reported missing by her family.
The report indicated officers on scene had viewed Petito as the aggressor.
This is a developing story, please check back for updates. This story first appeared on NBCNews.com.
Jason @BeardedOverland www.beardedadv.blogspot.com
No comments:
Post a Comment