Gabby Petito: Social Media Influencer Found Dead

On July 2, 2021, Gabby Petito and her fiance Brian Laundrie left Blue Point, New York for a cross-country road trip that was expected to end in October in Oregon. This was not the first time they had embarked on a trip together like this. Petito chronicled the couple’s second trip through YouTube, and Instagram. She also regularly communicated with family and friends, but when all of that stopped in late August, the world grew suspicious. 

Gabby Petito was reported missing by her family on September 11, 2021. Ten days prior to this, Brian returned to the couple’s home in North Point, Florida alone, without Gabby. Obviously, this sparked some questions. Later, police released body cam footage from August 12th of the couple during an argument. In the video, Petito mentioned that she suffered from OCD. She explained that earlier that day, she was in the back re-organizing the van and apologizing to her fiance for being unkind. She mentions that sometimes her anxiety gets the best of her emotions. Police alleged that the couple was fighting over a phone Brian trying to grab it, causing him to hit a bump from distraction. Footage shows them both apologizing, and Gabby tearfully  explaining how “it was a long day. We were camping yesterday.”

Brian had suggested taking some space after the argument to Gabby, but in her emotional state, she forcefully refused to be separated from Laundrie. Brian mentioned to an officer, "she had her phone and was trying to get the keys from me. I said, 'Let's just step back and breathe,' and she got me with her phone." Brian explained after an officer questioned him about what caused the scratches on his face. 

In interviews with Brian’s family, it seemed that they downplayed the severity of the situation.  “Obviously, me and my family want Gabby to be found safe. She’s like a sister and my children love her, and all I want is for her to come home safe and found. This is just a big misunderstanding.” Brian’s mother told ABC. Since Brian's return, he refused to speak to anyone about the situation and has since been unlocatable in the last week. 

On September 19th , human remains confirmed to be Gabby Petito’s, were found in Wyoming. Her autopsy confirmed this, yet how she died and who she was killed by still remain unknown. Many speculate it was Brian, but as of now he has not yet been found, and is said to be in “hiding.” He is being considered as a person of interest in the case, but police have not labeled him as a main suspect. 

By Peyton Louie