Gabby Petito dead: Body identified as missing YouTuber and initial autopsy says her death was a ‘homicide’

BELOVED influencer Gabby Petito is believed to have been killed in a homicide, according to an initial autopsy report.

The body found in Wyoming this weekend was identified as the 22-year-old vlogger, FBI Denver said on Tuesday, as her family's lawyer confirmed the death.

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Her heartbroken family has not yet released a statement as the FBI named her fiance Brian Laundrie as a "person of interest."

His family lawyer commented "May Gabby rest in peace" when asked for a statement on the body identification.

Petito's killer is now listed among the FBI's Most Wanted as the agency hunts for information on the young woman's final movements.

They have narrowed down her final days to between August 27 and August 30 as they call on the public to contact them if they saw her during this time near the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area in Wyoming.

Teton County Coroner Dr Brent Blue said on Tuesday that Petito's official cause of death is still pending final autopsy results but that the initial manner of death is homicide.

"The FBI's commitment to justice is at the forefront of each and every investigation," FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Michael Scheider said in a statement as Petito's identification was confirmed.

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"The FBI and our partners remain dedicated to ensuring anyone responsible for or complicit in Ms Petito's death is held accountable for their actions.

"Mr Brian Laundrie has been named a person of interest," he added.

Read our Gabby Petito live blog for the very latest news and updates...

"Anyone with information concerning Mr Laudrie's role in this manner or his current whereabouts should contact the FBI."

The FBI also confirmed that it has carried out a search of the area where her body was found and that the forensic examination has now concluded.

"Investigators from #FBIDenver, National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Teton County Sheriff’s Ofc, Teton County Search & Rescue, and Jackson Police Dept searched for evidence in a remote area of Grand Teton National Park & Bridger-Teton National Forest," the agency wrote on Twitter.

They revealed a map of the area they believe Petito spent her last moments.

The attorney for Petito's family, Richard Stafford, told Business Insider earlier on Tuesday that the identification was confirmed.

Stafford had released a statement thanking the media and public "for giving the Petito and Schmidt family time to grieve."

"We will be making a statement when Gabby is home," he added.

REMAINS FOUND

Human remains were discovered in Grand Teton National Park on Sunday, where the 22-year-old had been camping with her fiancé when she disappeared.

The coroner's van was seen leaving the national park after FBI and National Park Service officials held a press conference regarding the remains.

An FBI spokesperson said the bureau's staff will hold Gabby's family in their thoughts as they "mourn the loss" of their daughter.

"Today, the search revealed human remains consistent with the description of Gabrielle 'Gabby' Petito," the FBI statement said.

"Full forensic identification has not been completed and we do not yet know the cause of death. We appreciate your patience as we work through this process."

"The FBI and our partners extend our heartfelt condolences to Gabby's family and loved ones," the statement continued.

"This is an incredibly difficult time for them, and our thoughts are with them as they mourn the loss of their daughter."

SEARCH FOR INFO UNDERWAY

The vlogger had been traveling across America since July and was last seen on August 24 leaving a Utah hotel with Brian Laundrie.

They visited national parks and tourist attractions before she went missing.

Cops found their Ford Transit van in North Port, Florida, during the weekend of September 11 - when Gabby's parents reported her disappearance.

It was parked outside Laundrie's parents' home, where he and Petito had lived for the past two years.

Laundrie returned to the state on September 1 and hired an attorney, but went missing after he was named a person of interest last week.

According to his Instagram bio, he is a "nature enthusiast," and his most recent pictures are from his cross-country travels.

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His Instagram account also indicates that he is an artist as he has multiple pictures posted related to printmaking art.

The search for Laundrie was called off on Monday morning as cops confirmed that they had no plans to conduct a major hunt of the Carlton Reserve.

Later that day, cops searched the home of Laundrie and bundled his parents into a police van after declaring the area a "crime scene."

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The FBI announced a "search warrant" twice before they removed Chris and Roberta Laundrie from the home.

The parents were placed in a van on their lawn.

Gabby Petito timeline

Gabby Petito, 22, was last seen on August 24, leaving a hotel in Utah. Here is a timeline of Gabby Petito's disappearance:

• June 2021 - Gabby Petito and her fiancé Brian Laundrie set off on a cross-country trip across the US.
• July 4 - Gabby posts photos of herself barefoot in Gove County, Kansas.
• July 8 - Gabby posts photos of herself at the Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado.
• July 18 - Gabby and Brian post photos of themselves at Utah's Zion National Park.
• August 12 - Body camera footage was released in September showing an encounter Brian and Gabby had with police in Utah. Police confirmed that no significant injuries were reported.
• August 19 - Gabby and Brian post a video on their YouTube channel chronicling their trip. The video receives more than 200,000 views.
• August 24 - Gabby is last spotted leaving a hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah.
• September 1 - Brian returns home to Florida without Gabby.
• September 11 - Gabby's parents report her missing to Suffolk County police.
• September 15 - Florida's North Port police announce Brian is a person of interest in the case. He is not charged with any crime.
• September 16 - Utah police release body camera footage of the police encounter with Brian and Gabby.
• September 17 - Brian's parents say they have not seen their son in a couple of days.
• September 18 - Police announce they were searching Carlton Reserve in Florida for Brian. Police announce they have not found anything.
• September 19 - Authorities in Wyoming say they found a body in Grand Teton National Park. The FBI announces the body was believed to be Gabby's but a full forensic identification needs to be completed first to confirm.
• September 20 - Police execute a search warrant on Laundrie's home, seizing his silver Mustang and a hard drive that may contain "evidence relevant to proving that a felony has been committed."
• September 21 - Officials announce they will be conducting an autopsy on the remains found in Wyoming to confirm whether or not they belong to Gabby. Police also resumed their search for Laundrie, this time on the Venice side of Carlton Reserve.