Gabby Petito no longer missing person case, family mourns her likely death

Reporter: Lindsey Sablan Writer: Joey Pellegrino
Published: Updated:
Search teams at the Spread Creek campground in Wyoming. Credit: WINK News

The family of Gabrielle “Gabby” Petito is asking for privacy to allow them to grieve for their 22-year-old daughter, who was on what was supposed to be an adventurous, fun trip with her fiancé. On Sunday, the FBI announced it had found remains in a camping area in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. While the body has not been officially identified, it is believed to be Gabby Petito’s

An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday. The FBI’s announcement Sunday night was concise.

“Joe and Tara Petito and Jim and Nicole Schmidt,” said FBI agent Charles Jones. “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 the privacy as they mourn the loss of their daughter.”

Joe Petito tweeted a picture of his daughter with a broken heart emoji and the words “#GABBYPETITO she touched the world.”

It’s been nine days since Petito’s family reported her missing. Family members told investigators they thought her last stop was at the national park in late August. Over the weekend, Fox News confirmed that a woman on TikTok said she had picked up Brian Laundrie in the park, and that’s when the FBI’s search narrow in on the open campground space called Spread Creek.

The FBI is still asking for anyone who was in that area to report anything they may have seen, focusing on the dates of Aug. 27 to 30. While this is no longer a missing person case, it remains an active investigation. Crews are going to be back out combing through the park and the area is shut down to the public.

The next part is identifying how she likely died and if there is anyone directly responsible.

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