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Gabby Petito: Rainbow appears near spot where body found

The body, suspected to be Gabby Petito's remains, was found in a remote area of the Bridger-Teton National Forest on September 19

A rainbow appeared in the sky over Wyoming on Sunday, September 19, close to the spot where Gabrielle ‘Gabby’ Petito’s apparent remains were found on the very same day. The body was located in a remote area of the Bridger-Teton National Forest, near the Spread Creek Dispersed campground. FBI spokesman Charles Jones said that formal identification of the remains has not been made and the cause of death is yet to be determined.

The site where the body was found was not far from where two travel bloggers filmed the couple's van, seemingly abandoned, along a dirt road near Spread Creek on the evening of August 27, two days after Petito's last confirmed contact with her family.

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Petito’s family lawyer released a statement, asking for the family to be allowed to grieve at this time and also thanking authorities for their tireless efforts in finding Petito. “I am making a personal request to members of the press and news media to refrain from contacting the Schmidt and Petito family,” Richard Benson Stafford said in a 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.”

The family of Brian Laundrie, Petito’s fiance who refused to cooperate with the police and subsequently disappeared himself, also made a statement in response to the news that the body found was believed to be Petito. The statement made via the family’s attorney, said: “The news about Gabby Petito is heartbreaking. The Laundrie family prays for Gabby and her family.”

The Instagram account for Fox News shared a photo on Sunday with the caption: “Rainbow appears near Wyoming area where authorities believe they discovered Gabby Petito's remains.” Others tweeted photos as well. One person wrote, “Gabby Petito the world mourns,” sharing a screenshot of a news update related to Petito and the rainbow. “Do you believe in signs? A rainbow appeared a short while ago over the area where Gabby Petito was found. #FindGabby @thenewsoncnbc,” tweeted Valerie Castro of CNBC. Fox News’ Audrey Conklin tweeted, “Rainbow in the camp area where authorities found remains consistent with #GabbyPetito s description.”

On Fox News’ Instagram post, many commented. One person said, “That’s her Angels announcing her arrival in The Kingdom!” Another person wrote, “i’m not religious by any means, but this is a sign from her… i believe 100% she is trying to say that she can rest in peace now.. my condolences to the family.” Another comment read, “It was a heaven sign to find her and let her rest in peace. its so sad omg, heartbreaking.”

Laundrie has been named a "person of interest" in the case but has not been seen since he left his family's home in North Port, Florida, last Tuesday on September 14. The attorney for Laundrie's family reportedly contacted the FBI on September 17 indicating they wanted to talk about Laundrie’s disappearance. They said they have not seen him since Tuesday, September 14. Following this, authorities have been searching the 24,000-acre Carlton Reserve (also known as the T Mabry Carlton Jr Memorial Reserve) in the Sarasota area of the Gulf Coast.

But on Monday, September 20, it was reported that the North Port Police Department currently has no plans to conduct a major search of the Carlton Reserve, at least for the day. A statement added that “All media interviews from our Department are on hold until further notice.” The FBI also arrived Monday morning, on September 20, at the home of Brian Laundrie in North Port, Florida. They announced they had a “search warrant” twice before removing Chris and Roberta Laundrie and placing them in a van on their lawn. Police had already cordoned off the area and cleared the street before the FBI agents' arrival, telling people “you’re in a crime scene."