The family of Brian Laundrie released a 5-word statement following the news that Gabby Petito has been officially confirmed as deceased.
“May Gabby rest in peace,” the statement read.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, FBI Denver announced Tuesday that Teton County Coroner, Dr. Brent Blue, confirmed the body found at the Bridger-Teton National Forest last week was Gabrielle Venora Petito, date of birth March 19, 1999.
Coroner Blue’s initial determination for the manner of death is homicide. The cause of death remains pending final autopsy results.
The Laundrie family’s short statement followed a statement released by an attorney on the Petito’s family behalf.
“I want to personally thank the press and news media for giving the Petito and Schmidt family time to grieve,” lawyer Richard Stafford said, referring also to Gabby’s stepdad and stepmother. “We will be making a statement when Gabby is home. I will contact you to arrange a time and location.”
Petito and Laundrie embarked on a cross-country road trip this summer, but Laundrie returned home to Florida without her.
Last week, Laundrie disappeared from his parents’ home in North Point and remains unaccounted for. Laundrie’s parents told police he left last Tuesday to go hiking at Carlton Reserve, a 25,000-acre park with sprawling and difficult-to-navigate terrain.
“A weekend ground search and aerial search Monday of the 25-thousand-acre preserve has yet to yield any answers, but we must press on,” North Port Police posted on Facebook.
Anyone with information on Laundrie’s whereabouts should contact the FBI at: tips.fbi.gov, call 1-800-CALL-FBI, or 303-629-7171. Upload photos and videos to: fbi.gov/petito.
The FBI specifically asked that anyone in the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area between August 27 and August 30 who may have seen Gabby Petito or Brian Laundrie or their van to contact authorities.
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[Feature Photo: Gabby Petito/Instagram]
