SAYING GOODBYE
GABBY Petito's memorial service on September 26 was open to the public.
The vlogger's body was found on September 19 in Wyoming and later positively identified.
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What happened at Gabby Petito's funeral?
The funeral service for Gabby took place on Sunday, September 26, from 12pm to 5pm, at Moloney's Holbrook Funeral Home in Holbrook, New York.
The service was open to the public and streamed online after Gabby's case made international news.
Gabby’s dad said people should be “inspired” by his daughter at her memorial service and not be sad.
Joe Petito said he wanted people to be “inspired” by the life she embodied.
"So when you leave here today, be inspired by what she brought to the table because the entire planet knows this woman's name now," he said.
"And she's inspired a lot of women and a lot of men to do what's best for them first. Put yourself first and do it now while you have the time. I couldn't be more proud as a father."
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Joe also encouraged anyone wanting to go on a trip to get up and leave.
“If there’s a trip you guys want to take, take it. Do it now while you’ve got the time. If there’s a relationship you’re in that might not be the best thing for you, leave it now,” he said.
Read our Gabby Petito live blog for the very latest news and updates...
“Gabby is the most amazing person I’ve ever met, so if you’re going to leave here today, I’m asking you to be inspired by the way she treated people,” the father added.
On the eve of Gabby's funeral, her mom thanked well-wishers for their kind words over the devastating loss of her daughter.
Nichole Schmidt spoke up for the first time in 12 days to thank everyone for their love and support.
“As I scroll through all the posts, my heart is full of love,” Schmidt wrote on Facebook.
“I wish I could reach out and hug each and every one of you!!! Your support has been so overwhelming, and we are so filled with gratitude.”
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How did Gabby Petito die?
Her cause of death has not yet been released; however, the initial autopsy report declared Gabby's death a homicide.
Experts weighed in on how decomposition may pose challenges in identifying the cause and time of death.
As a result, the final report may take weeks to conclude.
The Sun exclusively revealed Gabby's remains were set to be cremated as her family prepares for a memorial to say goodbye to the young woman.
The Sun reached out to Moloney Funeral Home in New York and a spokesperson revealed: "There's a memorial visitation [on Sunday], it's a visitation for someone who has been cremated."
Asked if Gabby has already been cremated, they added: "I'm assuming so."
How is Gabby Petito being honored?
A vigil for Gabby was held in Florida and Long Island on Friday, September 24.
Another vigil was held in Salt Lake City two days before, on Wednesday, September 22.
Gabby's family and friends have posted tributes on social media.
Her stepdad, James Schmidt, left a cross made of stones and a bouquet of flowers while visiting the Wyoming campground where her body was found over the weekend.
Instead of flowers, Gabby's family is asking for donations to the future Gabby Petito Foundation.
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Attorney Richard Stafford says donations can be made electronically at: https://Johnnymacfoundation.org.
Gabby's father tweeted the service information and said, "Thank you to all for your support and love."
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 spotted leaving a hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah.
- August 25 - Gabby Facetimes her mom, Nichole Schmidt, for the final time. In a later police report, Schmidt said her conversations with her daughter revealed "more and more tension" between her and Brian.
- August 25 - Gabby also posts her last Instagram. No location is given.
- August 27 - Gabby is seen for what's believed to be the final time. Witnesses claim they saw Brian in an explosive argument with staff at a restaurant in Jackson Hole, leaving Gabby in tears.
- August 27 - Four hours later, travel bloggers driving through Grand Teton National Park drive past the couple's van "abandoned" on a dirt road.
- September 1 - Brian returns home to Florida without Gabby.
- September 11 - Gabby's parents report her missing to Suffolk County police.
- September 14 - Brian's family issues a statement saying he has retained an attorney and will not be cooperating with investigators.
- September 14 - Brian is allegedly last seen by his family. He reportedly told them he was going hiking in Cartlon Reserve but failed to return.
- 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 and report him missing.
- 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.
- September 21 - The FBI announced the body found in Wyoming was identified as Gabby's. The cause of death was not yet revealed.
- September 21 - The Teton County Coroner's office said Gabby's official cause of death was still pending but the initial manner of death is homicide.
- September 22 - Police continue to scour Carlton Reserve for a trace of Laundrie but yield no leads. A specialist dive team is called in to assist with the hunt.
- September 23 - Officials announced a federal arrest warrant for Brian was issued.
- September 26 - Gabby's funeral was held on Long Island, New York.
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