On September 11, 2021, 22-year-old Gabby Petito was reported missing by her parents after she failed to make contact with them for several days. Petito and her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, had been on a cross-country road trip in a white 2012 Ford Transit van since July, documenting their travels on social media.
The couple had planned to visit multiple national parks, but their journey took a dark turn when they encountered trouble in Moab, Utah. According to police, on August 12, officers responded to a call about a domestic dispute involving Petito and Laundrie, but both parties declined to press charges and the couple was allowed to go on their way.
In the following weeks, Petito’s family became increasingly concerned when they did not hear from her, and they reported her missing to police. Laundrie, who had returned to their home in Florida without Petito, initially refused to speak to authorities about her disappearance, but eventually went missing himself on September 14, 2021.
As news of Petito’s disappearance spread, the case gained national attention and sparked widespread public interest. The hashtag #FindGabby trended on social media, and people across the country volunteered to help search for her.
On September 19, 2021, human remains believed to be those of Gabby Petito were found in a remote area of Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National Forest. The following day, the Teton County Coroner’s Office confirmed the remains were Petito’s and ruled her death a homicide. A nationwide search for Laundrie began, and the FBI issued a warrant for his arrest on charges of bank card fraud, related to unauthorized use of a bank card belonging to Petito.
The investigation into Petito’s death and Laundrie’s disappearance continued, and several pieces of evidence were uncovered. Body camera footage from police officers who had encountered the couple in Moab showed a distraught Petito crying and telling officers that Laundrie had become angry with her and had been drinking. A witness also reported seeing a male fitting Laundrie’s description allegedly hitting a female in the same area around the time of the domestic dispute.
Additionally, several social media posts made by Petito in the days leading up to her disappearance provided clues about her mental and emotional state. In a post on August 25, she wrote that she was struggling with anxiety and depression, and in another post on August 30, she asked for recommendations for a restaurant in Salt Lake City, indicating that she was still alive at that time.
Despite the growing body of evidence, Laundrie remained missing for several weeks. On October 20, 2021, human remains believed to be those of Brian Laundrie were found in a Florida nature reserve, and on November 23, 2021, dental records confirmed the remains were his. The cause of his death has not been officially determined, but it is believed to be suicide.
The case of Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie has sparked a national conversation about domestic violence, mental health, and the dangers of social media. It has also led to renewed calls for stricter laws and protocols to help prevent cases of domestic violence and missing persons. The tragedy of Petito’s death and the circumstances surrounding it have touched the hearts of people across the country and left many wondering what could have been done to prevent it.
There were several hypotheses surrounding the disappearance of Gabby Petito, including:
- Foul play: Given the circumstances of Petito’s disappearance, including the domestic dispute in Moab and the fact that her remains were later found in a remote area, many suspected that foul play was involved.
- Suicide: In the days leading up to her disappearance, Petito had posted on social media about her struggles with mental health. Some hypothesized that she may have taken her own life.
- Accidental death: Given that Petito and Laundrie were traveling in remote areas and engaging in outdoor activities like hiking, some speculated that Petito may have died accidentally.
- Laundrie’s involvement: Laundrie’s behavior in the aftermath of Petito’s disappearance, including his refusal to speak with authorities and his subsequent disappearance, led many to suspect that he may have been involved in her death.