Brian Laundrie admits killing Gabby Petito in ‘suicide note’ found near his remains
Brian Laundrie claimed responsibility for the murder of Gabby Petito’s death in a “suicide note” found near his remains, the FBI have revealed.
It found Laundrie was solely responsible for the “tragic death of Gabby Petito” as it announced it was wrapping up its four and a half month long investigation.
A notebook recovered near Laundrie’s remains in Florida’s Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park contained a written confession, the FBI said.
“A review of the notebook revealed written statements by Mr Laundrie claiming responsibility for Ms Petito’s death,” the FBI said in a statement.
FBI Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider said “the investigation quickly focused on the last person believed to see her alive — Mr Laundrie”.
He said the public had played an “invaluable” role in the investigation.
“The FBI’s primary focus throughout the investigation was to bring justice to Gabby and her family.”
In a statement, Petito family attorney Richard Stafford thanked the FBI for its “diligent and painstaking efforts in this extremely complicated case”.
“The quality and quantity of the facts and information collected by the FBI leave no doubt that Brian Laundrie murdered Gabby Petito.”
Petito’s body was discovered at a remote campsite in Wyoming on September 19. She and Laundrie had embarked on a cross-country road trip out West in a converted camper van last summer, documenting their travels on social media along the way.
Laundrie, 23 vanished nearly two weeks after he returned from the trip to the Florida home the couple shared with his parents without Petito on September 1.
He was reported missing on 17 September after telling his parents he was going hiking in the Carlton Reserve near their home in North Port, Florida.
His skeletal remains were discovered on October 20 near his backpack at Florida’s vast Carlton Reserve. He died by suicide, a medical examiner found.
Chris and Roberta Laundrie led authorities to personal items belonging to their son Brian in the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park on 20 October, and law enforcement agents found his remains nearby.
Gabby Petito’s family said on Friday that evidence gathered by the FBI leaves “no doubt” that the young woman’s fiancé Brian Laundrie — who was the sole person of interest in connection to Petito’s disappearance — “murdered” her.
