Petito and Laundrie

Gabby Petito’s Parents ‘Have Been Aware’ of Brian Laundrie Suicide, Suggest ‘Additional Individuals’ May Be Charged

UPDATE: The medical examiner’s office that performed the autopsy on Brian Laundrie has issued a press release confirming he died of a gunshot wound to the head. The manner of death is suicide.

ORIGINAL STORY:

The attorney representing the parents of murdered Gabby Petito have released a statement on their behalf, following reports that Brian Laundrie — Gabby’s suspected killer — took his own life with a gun.

As previously reported, an attorney for the Laundrie family said on Tuesday that a medical examiner told him Laundrie died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. It remains unclear if investigators uncovered the weapon when they found Laundrie’s remains.

A statement released on behalf of Gabby’s parents Joseph Petito and Nichole Schmidt appears to corroborate the Laundrie attorney’s account, though the language is not specific. The statement also raises the possibility that additional people will be charged, but does not say who or what the charges might be.

“The Schmidt and Petito family has been aware of the circumstances surrounding the suicide of the sole suspect in Gabby’s murder,” reads the statement emailed to CrimeOnline. “Gabby’s family will not be making a statement at this time due to the request of the United States Attorney’s Office and the Teton County Prosecutor’s Office.The family was asked to not make any comments and let the FBI continue their investigation. The family was also asked to wait for the United States Attorney’s Office to make a determination on whether any additional individuals will be charged. When that determination is made, we will have a statement.”

Authorities have not stated publicly that they are investigating anyone else in connection to Brian Laundrie’s disappearance and death.