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Internet erupts in fury as body matching Gabby Petito found, vents anger at Brian Laundrie

'Everyone needs to stfu about Brian’s possible innocence. there ain’t any,' said a tweet after FBI found a body in Wyoming park that resembled Petito

The FBI announced on Sunday, September 19, that they had found human remains in the Wyoming park where the search for Gabby Petito was ongoing which were "consistent" with the description for the missing Florida travel vlogger. Since the, there has been outrage on social media platforms from the people who were invested in the case from the very beginning. 

Petito was reported missing after her fiance Brian Laundrie returned to his North Port home in Florida on September 1, in the same van he and Petito had embarked on their journey in, back in July this year. The last time Petito's mom Nichole Schmidt heard from her was on August 26, where she claimed there was poor network at a national park in Yosemite via a text message. Immediately after Laundrie returned, he hired an attorney and refused to speak to authorities. He was subsequently labeled a "person of interest" and is now reported missing as well.

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The FBI has cautioned that they have not yet 100% confirmed the identity of the body through DNA testing and that the investigation was still ongoing. The cause of Petito's death is yet to be determined. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday, September 21. Meanwhile, both the police as well as the FBI have extended their condolences to Petito's family. "Saddened and heartbroken to learn that Gabby has been found deceased. Our focus from the start, along with the FBI, and national partners, has been to bring her home. We will continue to work with the FBI in the search for more answers," the North Port police said. The FBI stated, "The FBI and our partners extend our heartfelt condolences to Gabby's family and loved ones. This is an incredibly difficult time for them, and our thoughts are with them as they mourn the loss of their daughter."

The Laundrie family's lawyer Steven Bertolino also issued a statement Sunday, on September 19, after the FBI revealed that a body found in Wyoming was likely Gabby Petito. "The news about Gabby Petito is heartbreaking. The Laundrie family prays for Gabby and her family," Bertolino said.

Richard Benson Stafford, lawyer for the Petito family also issued the following statement: "Due to today's developments, we are asking the press and news media to have some decorum and sensitivity for Gabby's family and allow them to grieve. I will be in contact with you when Gabby's family is ready to make a public statement. I would also like to personally thank the FBI, the Suffolk County Police Department, the North Port Police Department and especially the Grant Teton Search and Rescue team. Your tireless work and determination helped bring Gabby home to her parents. The family and I will be forever grateful."

#FINDBRIANLAUNDRIE

The moment netizens found out about the body most likely belongs to Petito, they were livid and wanted Brian Laundrie found so that he could be brought to justice. "Brian Laundrie murdered #GabbyPetito & returned home, thinking police would never find a body. What he didn’t count on is people coming together to find her. He didn’t count on a YouTube user telling the cops exactly where to look. He didn’t count on the goodwill of strangers," one of them said, while another noted, "Location marked off forest rd is where van was scene in video. coordinates are where Gabby Petito’s body was found. Now everyone needs to stfu about Brian’s possible innocence. there ain’t any. #GabbyPetito."

A third added, "I don’t know why people still act like the Gabby Petito case isn’t a murder. The van was seen on the 28th at the location her body was found at. The text from her cell phone to her parents was about 3 days later. The only person with access to her phone & that van was Brian." One more stated, "Brian laundrie is going to be able to kill himself before he is held responsible for Gabby Petito’s dead body just being found and it’s fucking reprehensible… fuck his selfish parents and the ridiculous legalities that protected him from fully facing his disgusting true self."

The next wrote, "I just listened to an FBI agent cry, confirming a body matching gabby’s description was found. Where is Brian? Why did he parents take 3 days to report him missing? I am livid. #GABBYPETITO #FINDBRIANLAUNDRIE" A person reacted with, "Heartbreaking news. I know all of America was rooting for the safe and miraculous return of Gabby Petito. That body cam video from police told a very sad story. She was in danger. It was a cry for help. Her fiancé is guilty AF. Disappeared. Went silent. Justice for Gabby."