Grisly new details emerge as Gabby Petito-killer Brian Laundrie's autopsy released
Warning: This article contains some graphic content on death and suicide
Gruesome new details have emerged as Brian Laundrie's full autopsy has now come to light. Laundrie died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, his family lawyer confirmed on November 23, 2021. The manner of death was determined to be suicide, as per a forensic anthropologist.
A gun from Chris and Roberta Laundrie's home had been missing ever since their son took off. When his parents reported him missing in September, they had turned over all of their firearms in their home to the FBI. One gun, however, appeared to be missing. There was a DNA analysis that confirmed the identity of the remains as Brian Laundrie. This was in addition to a dental comparison, and a forensic anthropologist doing a skeletal reconstruction.
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As per a newly released report by a Florida medical examiner’s office, the gunshot wound to Laundrie's head caused extensive fractures in his skull. The full autopsy and forensic report further explained that the single bullet entered his brain at the left temple and exited through the right. Authorities found the vast majority of [his] skeleton”, besides a few bones from his teeth and his face, scattered “in plain sight". His bones also showed signs of “gnawing and chewing” from “post-mortem scavenging/carnivore activity”, which includes portions of his arms and legs, said the report. However, no sign of drug use was found in his toxicology report.
Personal items belonging to Laundrie were also found at the scene, including a pair of green shorts, slip-on shoes, a white metal ring, a backpack and a handgun. The report said that the scene was secluded by “overgrown vegetation". The firearm that was recovered was a Windicator revolver with two live rounds and one used round of ammunition.
Animal skeletal remains, a handwritten half note and a “MOAB Coffee Roasters” hat were found at the nearby “secondary” scene. Authorities found a drybag with Laundrie’s journal, and they also recovered a wooden box with a notebook and a picture of Laundrie. Examiners said that Laundrie's body was believed to have been submerged in up to three feet of water in the Florida swamp “for an extended period of time". His remains were found only when the swamp waters receded.
The case began drawing national interest after Brian returned home to Florida on September 1 without his girlfriend after a cross-country road trip. On January 21, 2022, the FBI provided an update on the case and admitted it was closing it after learning just how Petito died. "All logical investigative steps have been concluded in this case," noted FBI Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider. He added, "A review of the notebook revealed written statements by Mr. Laundrie claiming responsibility for Ms. Petito's death." Schnider did not say what else the notebook revealed, or if Laundrie had written down why exactly he killed Petito.