Gabby Petito: Autopsy confirms body found in Wyoming is vlogger, death ruled homicide
TETON COUNTY, WYOMING: During the search for the missing 'van-life' blogger, Gabby Petito, who went on a cross-country trip with her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, a body was found matching her description on September 19. An autopsy performed on Tuesday, September 21, has now confirmed that the human remains found belonged to the 22-year-old Long Island native. The human remains were found in a remote area of the Wyoming National Park. Petito's boyfriend Brian Laundrie was named 'a person of interest' in connection with the case and has been missing from his home in Florida since September 12, according to his attorney.
Petito family's lawyer Richard Stafford reportedly confirmed that an autopsy revealed that the body found on Sunday was Petito's in a text message. A statement released by the FBI later said, "Teton County Coroner Dr Brent Blue confirmed the remains are those of Gabrielle Venora Petito, date of birth March 19, 1999." The agency further added, "Coroner Blue’s initial determination for the manner of death is homicide. The cause of death remains pending final autopsy results." Petito was reported missing on September 11, 10 days after Brian Laundrie returned to his home in Florida in Petito's van without her.
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Earlier on Tuesday, Stafford thanked reporters "for giving the Petito and Schmidt family time to grieve." "I want to personally thank the press and news media for giving the Petito and Schmidt family time to grieve. We will be making a statement when Gabby is home. I will contact you to arrange a time and location," he said. Meanwhile, authorities, including the FBI, continue searching a vast nature reserve in Florida for Petito's boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, a person of interest in the case whose family reported him missing to police last Friday, September 18.
Earlier, an FBI spokesperson said the bureau's staff will hold Gabby's family in their thoughts as they "mourn the loss" of their daughter. "Today, the search revealed human remains consistent with the description of Gabrielle 'Gabby' Petito. Full forensic identification has not been completed and we do not yet know the cause of death. We appreciate your patience as we work through this process," a statement released by the FBI on Sunday, September 19 said.