Brian Laundrie's Instagram flooded with hate messages as Gabby Petitio death still haunts
NORTH PORT, FLORIDA: After what seems like forever, the case of Gabby Petito’s disappearance and homicide has received some closure. After more than a month of authorities combing down a huge swampy park, partial human remains were found on Wednesday, October 20 in the Carlton Reserve and the adjoining Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in Sarasota County. And dental records confirmed they were that of Brian Laundrie, the fiance of Petito.
The remains were skeletal, said Josh Taylor, public information officer for the city of North Port. But authorities have not shared Laundrie’s cause of death. Michael F. McPherson, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Tampa field office, said on Wednesday that the authorities had found a notebook and a backpack that belonged to Laundrie near the remains in the Myakkahatchee Park. The items were found in an area that until recently had been underwater, McPherson said.
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“I know you have a lot of questions, but we don’t have all the answers yet,” Mr. McPherson said at a news conference on Wednesday, at which he did not take questions. “We are working diligently to get those answers for you.” Laundrie’s items and his remains were found after his parents, Chris and Roberta Laundrie, had informed the FBI and the police on Tuesday evening that they intended to come to the park on Wednesday morning to search for their son.
No one has been charged for Petito’s death, but the FBI declared Laundrie a person of interest in the case. He was also indicted by a grand jury on charges related to his activities following his fiancee’s death. And yet, in his now apparent death, hundreds and thousands of people online who have pored over the details of this case and speculated Laundrie’s guilt in the homicide ad infinitum seem to have found some satisfaction -- which turned into deplorable comments on his Instagram account, that has continued to remain open.
One comment said, “Enough nature enthusiast to die in a swamp. See you in hell a*****e.” Another said, “You're a disgusting human for killing your fiancé, I'm glad you're dead.” Yet, another said, “May he never rest in peace.” And one commenter said, “Now you’re gator poop,” followed by emojis for an Aligator and feces.
Many seem to be presuming that Laundrie’s death was caused by suicide -- something that was a popular theory when authorities were unable to track him down. One comment said, “You are a b***h a*s excuse for a man and so are your scumbag parents...to much of a ***h to man up and go to prison so you killed yourself...I hope your a*s got eaten by a bear or gator. Enjoy eternity in hell you piece of garbage!!!” Another said, “He is a coward he killed hisself and his parents are the ones who took them to that area on there land ! Gabby did not get justice like she should.”
One Instagram comment feels poignant. "People are in here asking him questions on why he killed her and why he did this and that, like he’s gonna raise from the dead and respond to anyone. I also understand the hate comments. But I don’t understand why they’re occurring now. He’s dead, he’ll never read them."
“Chris and Roberta Laundrie have been informed that the remains found yesterday in the reserve are indeed Brian’s,” Laundrie family lawyer Steve Bertolino said in a statement. “We have no further comment at this time and we ask that you respect the Laundries’ privacy at this time.”