MEAWW.COM / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

Gabby Petito's van seen at Wyoming's Jenny Lake on Aug 25, police searching area

The witness described Gabby Petito's van very accurately and said she saw it near the Wyoming lake

Missing travel vlogger Gabby Petito's family is convinced that the 22-year-old who vanished late August after embarking on a cross-country trip with her boyfriend Brian Laundrie will be found near Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, where her van was spotted by multiple witnesses. 

As a result, Petito's stepfather and a family friend arrived in Wyoming on Tuesday, September 14. “This is every parent’s nightmare,” said James Schmidt, Petito’s stepfather. "Us as a whole, there is just something in our gut that said we needed somebody here. I'm hoping that wherever she is, that she's okay and safe, we'll go wherever it takes to find her." Schmidt and a family friend spent Wednesday, September 15 posting flyers. All the while they are coordinating with other family members in New York and Florida.

RELATED ARTICLES

Search for Gabby Petito: Stop sign reading 'Where is She?' put near Brian Laundrie's home

Who was Gabby Petito meeting at Yellowstone National Park? 'She wouldn't blow me off'

Where is Jenny Lake?

Petito's mother reported her missing on September 11 after last receiving texts from her on August 30. However, it’s not confirmed whether the texts were from Petito. Police say that Laundrie returned home to Florida on September 1 in Petito’s van but without her. He is considered a person of interest in the missing person case. He has retained a lawyer and has not been cooperating with investigators.

There are multiple accounts of witnesses claiming to have seen the missing woman's van near Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park on August 25, which is the last day that Petito spoke with her family. The lake is estimated to be 256 feet deep and encompasses 1,191 acres. Jenny Lake is considered to be a major focal point in Grand Teton National Park, with many hiking trails, scenic boat rides, and quick access to the major climbing routes onto the tallest peaks of the Teton Range.

Was Gabby Petito last seen at Jenny Lake?

One witness is Shannon Baker, who spoke to KSL about what she and her husband Russel witnessed at the lake. "The only stop we made was at Jenny Lake," she said, before describing in accurate detail Petito's van, which according to her was parked at the parking lot of Jenny Lake on August 25 at 5 pm. "It had the black ladder at the back and the two black roof racks on top. Two bars. And we made the comment, 'That would be the perfect little camper van to go around in,'" she told the outlet. "My husband looked at it and goes that's the same vehicle they use on American pickers."

Baker said that she did not give the van much of a thought till Petito's disappearance was announced to the public. Baker was instantly reminded of the van. Baker has spoken to Patito's family and while she does not have a picture, Petito's family is convinced from her detailed description that she had indeed seen the vlogger's van near Jenny Lake. "Without a doubt, on my husband's life, I know for a fact that was their van," Baker added. 

What's more, one Twitter user who goes by the username @RubberD91792492 wrote in an ominous tweet which read, "I Believe that Gabby will be found at Teton, Wyoming by Jenny Lake by the Hidden Water Fall near Inspirational Point."

If Baker is right, it would help narrow down the search in the park's 310,000 acres of area. Meanwhile, the FBI Denver office has gotten involved in the Petito case. But a physical search for Petito will only begin after the area of search has been considerably narrowed down. As a result, the law enforcement authorities are still following up on potentially helpful tips. “We have resources and law enforcement partners that are out in the field following up tips and leads but as far as a grid search right now, we’re still trying to narrow down geographic areas,” said North Port Police Chief Todd Garrison.