Timeline for the Gabby Petito Case
The Gabby Petito case is a heartbreaking one, and as it continues to unfold, many are trying to keep up with updates with the investigation. Below is the timeline of events from Petito’s disappearance to the hunt for Brian Laundrie.
Background
Gaby Petito was a 22-year-old travel blogger and influencer from New York. She took followers along from destination to destination while letting them into her life as she traveled in her remodeled van. While on a cross-country road trip with fiancé Brian Laundrie, Petio’s followers noticed that she stopped posting around the same time that Laundrie returned to their Florida home without Gaby.
June
Petito and Laundrie set out on a long-awaited cross-country trip to visit national parks and film the journey. Things were going well as Gabby updated fans and family on their progress and seemed as happy as ever to explore.
August
August 12
Police in Moab, Utah, receive a domestic violence call. When they arrived at the scene, the couple appeared agitated as if there was a previous altercation. Both Petito and Laundrie claimed that things got physical, but officers noticed that Petito seemed agitated.
In the police report, officers stated that the incident seemed to be more of a mental health crisis than a domestic assault, but the 911 caller told operators that they witnessed a man slapping a girl, hitting her, and the couple getting back in their van to drive off.
August 19
The couple resumed posting and published a YouTube video showing them in various locations in Utah while kissing and appearing to be happier than ever.
August 23-24
The last time Petito spoke with her family, she told them that she and Laundrie were planning to leave Utah for Wyoming in the next few days. All seemed well, and Gabby posted an Instagram post to update fans on the couple’s progress.
August 30
A text from Gabby’s phone says, “No service in Yosemite.”
September
September 1
Brian Laundrie returns to his home in Florida with the can and his belongings, but Petito is nowhere to be found.
September 11
Gabby’s family starts to get worried when they don’t hear from their daughter and report her missing to the New York police. They visit Laundrie’s home to speak with him, but their questions are directed to his attorney, and the police leave.
September 16
The Petito family releases a statement to the news media begging Brian and the Laundries to cooperate with the police. Their previous appeals to Brian’s family were met with silence, which begins to seem suspicious to the media and Gabby’s family.
September 17
Laundrie’s family finally asks the police to come to their home and explains that they haven’t seen or heard from Brian since September 14. Frustrated with their silence and the fact that their daughter’s fiancé is missing, the Petito’s and the police spokesperson for the investigation are even more concerned that their worst fears are coming true.
The Laundrie family attorney tells the media that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is searching for Brian’s whereabouts, and the hunt is underway.
September 18
Over 50 police officers and the FBI begin searching the Carlton Reserve in Venice, Florida. Law enforcement officers are concerned that the increasing pressure to speak to police may push Laundrie to keep running from the investigation.
At this time, the FBI announces a full-scale investigation on the ground at Grand Teton National Park, Petito’s last known location.
September 19
Investigators discover human remains in Teton County, Wyoming, that the FBI says match descriptions of Gabby. At this point, they have not completed forensic identification, but the family has been notified of the possibility that these remains could be Gabby.
September 20
Brian Laundrie’s parents are questioned by the FBI. The investigators search their home but find nothing. Meanwhile, local police exhaust their search at the Carlton Reserve and expand their search.
September 21
The Teton County coroner confirms the identity of the human remains as Gabby Petito, with the cause of death pending.
September 23
The U.S. District Court of Wyoming issues a federal warrant for Laundrie based on evidence that suggests he used a stolen debit card to access accounts between August 30-September 1. The police cannot officially arrest him for suspected homicide, but this warrant could give them the time they need to produce evidence that may make Laundrie a suspect.
As of September 23, Brian has not been apprehended, and his whereabouts are still unknown. Police are urging anyone with information related to the case to come forward so the investigation can proceed.
The Law Offices of Philip T. Ridolfo, Jr. will continue to follow the Petito case as it develops.