A FACEBOOK page created by the family of Gabby Petito in the hopes of finding their daughter alive has released an emotional status, saying, “Our hearts are broken,” after an autopsy on Tuesday confirmed the 22-year-old’s death.
The four-word post was accompanied by a release from the FBI’s offices in Denver, which confirmed human remains discovered on Sunday were those of Gabby and that the coroner’s initial determination for the manner of death is homicide.
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A second post, uploaded roughly 90 minutes later and to the same Facebook page, read “#justiceforgabby” and featured an artwork of the 22-year-old with angel wings, a halo and surrounded by two white doves.
Petito’s disappearance and news of her death has gripped the nation over recent days, with authorities still searching for her fiancé, Brian Laundrie.
Petito and Laundrie had been on a four-month journey together when Laundrie returned home to Florida in September with their van.
Laundrie was also reported missing by police. They began searching the 24,000-acre Florida nature preserve this weekend, but failed to find any.
FIANCÉ MISSING
On Tuesday, a woman claimed she spotted a man who she is now certain was Laundrie “acting weird” around the Wyoming campsite where Petito was found dead.
Gabby’s remains were discovered by her family on Sunday. An attorney for them said that they asked the press and media to be respectful of Gabby’s family, and to allow them to grieve.
“I will be in contact with you when Gabby’s family is ready to make a public statement.”
Stafford thanked the FBI and the Suffolk County Police Department as well as the North Port Police Department with a special thank you to the Grand Teton Search and Rescue Team.
“Your tireless work and determination helped bring Gabby home to her parents,” Stafford wrote. “The family and I will be forever grateful.”
Laundrie’s family also made a statement via their attorney, saying: “The news about Gabby Petito is heartbreaking.”
AUTOPSY RELEASED
The statement added: “The Laundrie family prays for Gabby and her family.”
Petito was last seen on August 24, 2021, checking out of a hotel with Laundrie in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Her mother, Nicole Schmidt, revealed that she heard from her daughter on August 27 and 30, but she told Fox News she is not sure if it was actually her as only text messages were exchanged.
“It was just a text. I did not verbally speak to her,” She told the media outlet.
‘FIGHT’ WITNESSED
On the day of the autopsy results, a witness statement taken by Moab County Police, in Utah, came to light, where a man said he saw Petito and Laundrie fighting on August 12.
The witness said “something seemed off” and “it appeared that he didn’t want her in the white van.”
“I heard her say ‘why do you have to be so mean,” the witness added. “It was as if the guy was trying to leave her, and maybe take her phone? Not sure but wanted to help out,” the witness added.
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