The dad of missing YouTuber Gabby Petito has paid tribute to his daughter, days after a body was found in the investigation.
After the young YouTuber, 22, went on a roadtrip with Brian Laundrie in June, the family reported her missing on September 11.
Authorities have revealed that the body found in the Wyoming Campsite is “consistent” with Gabby Petito, but will not officially confirm until the autopsy takes place, MailOnline reports.
Following the heartbreaking announcement, Gabby Petito’s dad Joseph, took to Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to upload a photo of his daughter, stating: “she touched the world.”
(Image: findgabbypetito/Instagram)
Charles Jones, supervisory senior resident agent for FBI Denver, said: “As every parent can imagine this is an incredibly difficult time for the family, and friends, our thoughts and prayers are with them.
“We ask that you all respect their privacy as they mourn the loss of their daughter.”
It was confirmed on Friday that Brian Laudrie, Gabby Petitio’s fiance, was now also missing and the FBI was searching for both Laundrie and Gabby.
(Image: findgabbypetito/Instagram)
Police have called 23-year-old Laundrie a person of interest in the inquiry, but say there is no current “hard evidence” that a crime has been committed.
Laundrie had been reportedly refusing cooperation with police when he vanished from his Florida home on Tuesday.
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Following the announcement on Sunday, North Port police released a statement:
“Saddened and heartbroken to learn that Gabby has been found deceased.
“Our focus from the start, along with the FBI, and national partners, has been to bring her home. We will continue working with the FBI to find more answers.
(Image: findgabbypetito/Instagram)
YouTubers Petito and Laundrie set off from their Florida home in June a on a cross-country trip to visit a number of national parks across the US.
North Port Police Chief Todd Garrison said that Petito, 22, “maintained regular contact with her family members during her travels, however that communication abruptly stopped around the end of August”.
On August 12, police in Utah reported that they had had to intervene in “some sort of altercation” involving the couple.
(Image: findgabbypetito/Instagram)
Utah cop Eric Pratt reported at the time: “Both the male and female reported they are in love and engaged to be married and desperately didn’t wish to see anyone charged with a crime”.
Petito FaceTimed with her mom on August 24, and she said that they were leaving Utah to head to Wyoming’s Teton mountains.
After that, the only messages Petito’s mother received were via text. She claims that her daughter did not send the last message.
(Image: findgabbypetito/Instagram)
Laundrie returned to his parents’ home in North Port, Florida, where he lived with Petito, on September 1, according to police. He was driving Petito’s Ford van.
On September 11, Petito’s family reported her missing and police went to the home she shared with Laundrie.