Brian Laundrie - update: Friend claims Gabby Petito’s fiancé might have resources to leave US illegally

As the search for Brian Laundrie enters its 30th day, a long-time friend has said that it is possible that he had the resources to leave the US illegally.

The friend, who knew Mr Laundrie from a young age, told The Sun that Brian was a good planner who could execute his plans precisely.

“I think he’d be able to put the resources together to get out of the country, either illegally or under some sort of fake identification,” the friend said.

Meanwhile, North Port Police reported that they found no new evidence of Mr Laundrie’s location in the Carlton Reserve on Friday. Police and FBI have been searching the 25,000-acre nature preserve – where Mr Laundrie was reportedly hiking alone – since 17 September and have employed the use of a human remains-detecting dog in their efforts.

Authorities have previously said there is believed to be a 50 per cent chance that Mr Laundrie is still alive.

Read More

What would happen if Brian Laundrie is never found?

Gabby Petito: Autopsy confirms cause of death as strangulation

Gabby Petito timeline: When was she found and how did she die?

Key Points

• Coroner alludes to domestic violence during Petito autopsy update

• Teton County coroner reveals Gabby Petito died by strangulation

• Protesters knock on door of Laundrie house, shout abuse

• Chris Laundrie’s search efforts could be a positive sign, ex-FBI agents say

• Experts question Brian Laundrie’s survival skills

• What would happen if Brian Laundrie is never found?

• Gabby Petito’s friends speak out after learning what caused her death

The disturbing trend of Brian Laundrie ‘supporters’

23:00 , Nathan Place

As the death of Gabby Petito continues to dominate the news, a disturbing online trend has begun to take shape. Incels, trolls, “men’s rights activists”, and self-described alpha males have begun rushing to Laundrie’s defense. It is not a new phenomenon, but it does reflect the throbbing heartbeat of misogyny thriving and surviving both on and offline.

The Independent’s Kathleen N. Walsh takes a look at this unsettling trend here:

The disturbing trend of online Brian Laundrie ‘supporters’ tells us so much

‘The Dirty Laundries’: See the signs protesters are holding outside Brian Laundrie’s house

21:30 , Nathan Place

Protesters have been picketing outside the Laundrie family home in North Port, Florida for weeks. Here’s a look at some of their signs, photographed by journalist Jonathan Lee Riches:

Who are Brian Laundrie’s parents?

20:51 , Nathan Place

Brian Laundrie’s parents, Christopher and Roberta Laundrie, have remained steadfastly silent as their son became the subject of a nationwide FBI manhunt. Here’s a look at who they are and what they’ve done since Brian returned home alone from his ill-fated van trip:

Who are Brian Laundrie’s parents?

Former FBI agent believes Laundrie, if alive, is ‘getting some kind of help’

20:17 , Nathan Place

A retired FBI agent says that if Brian Laundrie is still alive, someone is almost definitely helping him.

“For him to survive this long, if he is still alive – and probably, chances are, he is – he’s getting some kind of help,” Dennis Frank told NewsNationNow. “It’d be very, very difficult to be able to survive for this period of time, especially in the wilderness, without some kind of help.”

Five key questions about the Gabby Petito case

19:36 , Nathan Place

Gabby Petito’s body has been found, and her cause of death has been revealed. But many important questions remain.

The biggest question is obvious: Where is Brian Laundrie? But also, why did Mr Laundrie buy a new phone? Why did he and his parents go camping in Florida in the days after he returned from his trip with Ms Petito, alone?

The Independent’s Bevan Hurley takes a look at these and other questions here:

After Gabby Petito’s death is confirmed as strangulation, these key questions remain

Can Brian Laundrie be tried in absentia?

18:44 , Nathan Place

Brian Laundrie has been missing for more than a month. Searches led by both the North Port Police and the FBI have turned up no new clues as to his whereabouts, and a scattering of reported sightings across the country have largely been proven false.

Though Mr Laundrie has not been charged with Gabby Petito’s death, he has been named a person of interest in the case. But what happens if he’s never found? Can he be tried in absentia? Can his family be charged with a crime? The Independent’s Graig Graziosi takes a look at all the different possibilities:

What would happen if Brian Laundrie is never found?

‘It makes me sick’: Petito’s friends react to learning her cause of death

17:58 , Nathan Place

Friends of Gabby Petito have reacted with anger, sickness, and horror to the news that she died of strangulation.

“It makes me sick to my stomach,” Alyssa Chen, a friend of Ms Petito, told People magazine. “I wonder what was going through her mind, knowing she was probably about to die. She must have been so scared.”

“If Brian strangled her, I hope he burns in hell,” said Ben Matula, who was friends with Ms Petito and her fiancé, Brian Laundrie. “That’s all I have to say.”

Read more here:

Gabby Petito’s friends speak out after learning what caused her death

Petito’s parents and stepmother visit park where she was found dead

17:28 , Nathan Place

Gabby Petito’s father has retweeted a photo of her mother and stepmother in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, where the young YouTuber’s body was found last month.

“Two amazing moms @Nikischmidt927 @TaraPetito being there for each other,” Joseph Petito tweeted alongside a photo of Gabby’s mother, Nichole Schmidt, and his wife, Tara Petito, at Jenny Lake. “@Jim_Schmidt416 and I are very lucky husbands.”

The three parents were in Wyoming to recover Ms Petito’s remains.

What happened and when: The Gabby Petito timeline

16:58 , Nathan Place

From the moment Gabby Petito went missing to the moment she was found – and all that’s happened in the search for her ex-fiancé, Brian Laundrie, since then – here’s a timeline of everything we know so far:

A timeline of events in the Gabby Petito case

‘I know now why you came here’: Petito’s father visits park where her body was found

16:41 , Nathan Place

Joseph Petito posted a photo on Friday of Grand Teton National Park, where the body of his daughter, Gabby, was found last month.

“I now know why you came here,” the grieving father tweeted with a photo of Jenny Lake. “#gabbypetito has a beautiful view from now on. Love you, and miss you.”

Chris Laundrie removes sign from front lawn that reads ‘What if it was Cassie’

16:03 , Celine Wadhera

Brian Laundrie’s father, Chris Laundrie, was seen removing a sign from his front lawn early Saturday morning.

The sign read: “What if it was Cassie”, referencing Brian’s sister, Cassie Laundrie. It had been placed on the lawn in front of the Laundrie family house by two sisters from Minnesota.

Friend claims Brian Laundrie might have resources to leave US illegally

15:03 , Celine Wadhera

A long-time friend of Brian Laundrie has said that it is possible that he had the resources to leave the US illegally.

The friend, who knew Mr Laundrie from a young age, told The Sun that Brian was a good planner who could execute his plans precisely.

“I think he’d be able to put the resources together to get out of the country, either illegally or under some sort of fake identification,” the friend said.

“He’s the type of person that would be able to drop everything to secure his means of not being captured and to evade arrest or evade prosecution from what seems to be a pending crime.”

The friend also said that Mr Laundrie had often talked about New Zealand, and said that if he had the means, he would likely try to reach the Oceanic country.

“I’m sure if he had the time and the resources in a few years and he really needed to getaway from this issue, that’s probably somewhere he would end up,” Mr Laundrie’s friend told the paper.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

14:42 , Celine Wadhera

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the United States, and the Gabby Petito case has drawn significant attention to the plight of domestic violence over the past two months.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the US. This equates to more than 10 million women and men per year.

If you are experiencing domestic violence and seeking anonymous, confidential help, you can reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. If you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1 (999 in the UK).

Wyoming restaurant fight is key in Petito’s fate, FBI behavioural analyst says

13:42 , Celine Wadhera

The altercation between Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie witnessed near the Merry Piglets Tex-Mex restaurant in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in late August, could be the key to Ms Petito’s demise, a behavioural analyst has said.

Dr Ann Wolbert Burgess, who pioneered the FBI’s Behavioural Science Unit told Fox News Digital: “The restaurant incident … is the second and most important” of two events that raised red flags prior to the 22-year-old’s death.

Nina Celie Angelo, a witness to the incident, said that she believed Mr Laundrie had been arguing with staff over the bill, and described his body language as “aggressive”. At one point, Ms Angelo said that Ms Petito apologised for his behaviour.

“How she has to apologise for his behaviour is something that’s kind of characteristic, and this probably enrages him even more because he wants to appear in a certain way,” Dr Burgess said.

Dr Burgess added that the other incident that suggested there were serious issues in their relationship was the fight between Ms Petito and Mr Laundrie to which police were called on 12 August in Moab, Utah.

Petito case years away from going cold, crime scene investigator says

12:42 , Celine Wadhera

Sheryl McCollum, a crime scene investigator and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, said that the Petito case was far from going cold.

“As far as this being a cold case… it’s a department by department definition, but across the board, typically people will accept three to five years with absolutely no new leads, no new evidence, no new nothing (until it goes cold), and that is far from where we are,” she told CNN.

“That’s not the case here at all. Local departments, where they may believe there’s been a sighting, they will typically for years have that person at the forefront of their minds,” she added.

Memorial bench to be erected outside North Port City Hall

11:42 , Celine Wadhera

A Gabby Petito memorial bench will be erected outside North Port City Hall, where an impromptu memorial to the murdered 22-year-old stood until earlier this week, the city has confirmed.

The three-person bench will be made of steel and will be bright, colourful and inviting, Fox 7 News reported.

Aaron Betzner, bench designer and owner of metal-fabrication company A Squared Fabrication, said that when he heard a memorial for Ms Petito would become permanent, he wanted to help.

He told the outlet that he was working with a member of the Petito family to ensure the final piece would align with the family’s vision for the memorial.

“Butterflies was the number one biggest, biggest thing,” Mr Betzner said, and confirmed that the bench would contain 15 butterflies, alongside features designed to attract the beautiful winged insect.

He added that the bench would be “kind of a little sanctuary”, where people could “come and sit, reflect on their own life, reflect on Gabby”.

The final version will be white with colourful butterflies. It is expected to be delivered by the end of November.

Why did authorities conduct ‘training exercises’ at Carlton Reserve on Friday?

10:42 , Celine Wadhera

On Friday, officers participating in a “special response team training” activity were seen entering the Carlton Reserve armed with rifles.

Former FBI agent Dennis Franks told NewsNation Now that he found the training “interesting but not necessarily unusual”, adding that it could even be an economical means of continuing the search efforts.

“When you have a lot of resources devoted to something, there’s got to be a lot of expenditure and resources in this. It would not be unusual to incorporate training at the same time,” he said.

He added that the training could have been pre-scheduled and those in charge decided to conduct the training in the reserve to assist with the ongoing search.

Mr Franks suggested that the FBI and North Port Police likely had additional information that is not being shared publicly that has kept their investigative efforts focused on the nature preserve.

Gabby Petito timeline

09:42 , Celine Wadhera

2 July – Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie leave New York for road trip.

12 August – The couple is seen arguing in Moab City, Utah. Concerned bystanders call the police, who intervene, capturing the altercation on video on the officers’ body camera. One officer describes the incident as a “mental health crisis”.

17 August – Brian flies home from Salt Lake City to collect some items and close the couple’s storage unit, as the couple considered extending their trip.

23 August - Brian flies back to Salt Lake City.

25 August – Gabby has a video call with her mother – last known citing of the 22-year-old.

27 August – Gabby and Brian spotted involved in a commotion leaving the Merry Piglets Tex-Mex restaurant in Jackson, Wyoming.

30 August – Last text message sent from Gabby’s phone.

1 September – Brian returns to North Port, Florida, where the couple lived, without Gabby.

11 September – Gabby’s family launch missing person’s investigation.

14 September – Police declare Brian a “person of interest” in the case.

17 September – Brian’s family call investigators to their home, admit Brian has been missing since 14 September.

18 September – North Port Police begin search for Brian at the Carlton Reserve

19 September – FBI announce that a body has been discovered in Teton County, Wyoming, believed to be Gabby.

20 September – FBI search the Laundrie home, now declared a crime scene.

21 September – Petito family attorney confirms that the body found in Wyoming is Gabby. FBI confirm her death to be a homicide.

23 September – FBI issue federal arrest warrant for Brian, related to “activities following the death of Gabby”.

12 October – Teton County Coroner announces Gabby’s cause of death: strangulation.

TikTok journalist compares Brian Laundrie’s social media activity to 2011 mass shooter

08:40 , Celine Wadhera

“Let’s talk about Brian’s more and more alarming Instagram activity in the days that led to Petito’s death and how we can look at other instances of violence where their social media activity also became erratic and straight up strange,” California-based journalist Danielle Radin said on TikTok.

In a TikTok video, Ms Radin examines Mr Laundrie’s Instagram captions from his posts on 13 August, which she describes as “rants”, and notes their differences from his previous posts which had only brief captions.

“This kind of behaviour can be disturbing when violence happens, like it has here,” she said.

She then proceeds to compare Mr Laundrie’s social media activity prior to Gabby’s disappearance to that of Jared Loughner, who plead guilty to 19 charges of murder and attempted murder in connection with a mass shooting in Tucson, Arizona in 2011.

“This is a pattern. Time and time again when we see people commit unthinkable acts of violence. There tends to be a switch in their online and social media presence that gets more and more erratic and angry.”

‘She’s living her dream at 22’: Never-before seen interview with Gabby Petito’s parents

07:40 , Celine Wadhera

Video footage from 14 September has surfaced of Joseph and Tara Petito – Gabby’s father and stepmother – speaking with WFLA reporter Justin Schecker.

The interview was four days after Gabby had been declared a missing person, and five days before her body was discovered in Wyoming; it was clear that the Petitos were proud of their daughter and eager for her return home.

“She’s living her dream at 22,” Mr Petito said.

Ms Petito added: “I was proud of her ability to be able to travel across the country.

“She was an amazing, amazing artist … I brag to everyone about how amazing of an artist she is. It’s really about trying to find her and bring her home so she can continue that beauty.”

While the couple said that they had their concerns about her travelling the country at such a young age, it was clear that they were proud that she was living her life to the fullest.

“She’s amazing, and we’ve got to do what we can to get her home,” Mr Petito added.

Sisters drive from Minnesota to place banner on Laundrie family lawn

06:03 , Graeme Massie

The women drove to North Port, Florida, to place the sign inthe yard, which reads “What if it was Cassie?”

Cassie Laundrie is the sister of missing Brian Laundrie, who has not been seen for a month and for whom police have launched a nationwide search.

Artist speaks of sadness at notoriety for Gabby wings

05:00 , Graeme Massie

Diego Jaguart created the angel wings mural that she posed in front of in Old Colorado City, Colorado, and shared with her Instagram followers in October 2019.

“I don’t feel happy because my wings are famous, I feel sad. But this now for me is an honor,” Mr Jaguart told OutThereColorado.com.

Ms Petito’s father, Joseph, shared the photo again on Twitter on 19 September, the day his missing daughter’s remains were found in a remote Wyoming camping area.

And Mr Jaguart added: “This is power for me, they come here and take a photo and feel power, that is my focus. But later it changed

“She looks like an angel. She looks free.”

New Gabby Petito mural goes up in Florida

04:05 , Graeme Massie

Artist Adonis Hunter created the mural on the side of his building in New Port Richey, Florida.

It features a picture of Gabby, along with her father’s quote, “She touched the world.”

“I did it for her parents,” said Mr Hunter.

“I have a 20-year-old son. And I can’t imagine anything like that happening. I can’t imagine losing my son like that. It really was a connection with the world.”

Brian Laundrie’s dad install video doorbell at Florida home

03:02 , Graeme Massie

With media and protesters still amped outside his home, Chris Laundrie added extra security to his property in North Port, Florida.

Tara Petito posts picture from Wyoming with Gabby’s mum

01:35 , Graeme Massie

Gabby Petito’s step-mother, Tara Petito, took to Twitter to post a picture of her and Gabby’s mother, Nichole Schmidt, at Jenny Lake in Wyoming.

Gabby’s dad posts picture from remote lake in daughter’s honour

Friday 15 October 2021 23:35 , Graeme Massie

“I now know why you came here. #gabbypetito has a beautiful view from now on. Love you, and miss you,” tweeted Joseph Petito on Friday.

Florida governor wants Brian Laundrie ‘apprehended and brought to justice’

Friday 15 October 2021 23:01 , Graeme Massie

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis says he hopes fugitive Brian Laundrie is “apprehended and brought to justice” if officials charge him with Gabby Petito’s murder.

Mr DeSantis made his comments came after a press conference in North Port, Florida, where Brian Laundrie returned to see his parents in the wake of Ms Petito’s disappearance.

“You know, my view would be: it’s a little disappointing that we still don’t have this guy’s whereabouts,” said Mr DeSantis.

Media coverage of Gabby Petito’s case likely held authorities’s quick location of her body

Friday 15 October 2021 22:00 , Graig Graziosi

Teton County Coroner Dr Brent Blue chastised the media for not covering the cases of other domestic violence victims to the degree they covered Gabby Petito’s disappearance and death.

The Independent’s Andrew Buncombe argues that while the coroner is correct, it was the very media frenzy he was criticising that likely aided authorities in their quick location of Ms Petito’s body.

Read his arguments in the Voices piece below...

Without the media it’s unlikely Gabby’s body would have been found in just 8 days

North Port police say no new evidence found in Carlton Reserve today

Friday 15 October 2021 21:41 , Graig Graziosi

North Port police confirmed today that they have found no new evidence of Brian Laundrie’s whereabouts in the Carlton Reserve.

Police, led by the FBI, searched the preserve today. Armed officers were seen entering the reserve but were reportedly conducting a training exercise.

Police have been searching for Mr Laundrie for more than a month at the protected swamplands.

North Port police officers conduct “special response team training” during Brian Laundrie search

Friday 15 October 2021 20:45 , Graig Graziosi

North Port police officers reportedly were conducting a “special response team training” today at the Carlton Reserve during their search for Brian Laundrie.

Reporters at the scene said police armed with rifles went into the protected swampland where Mr Laundrie is believed to be hiding earlier today.

Those officers appear to be the ones participating in the training exercise.

Dog the Bounty Hunter flies back to Colorado

Friday 15 October 2021 20:23 , Graig Graziosi

Duane Chapman, aka Dog the Bounty Hunter, has reportedly flown back to Colorado and will continue his search for Brian Laundrie remotely.

Mr Chapman released a video earlier this week calling on Brian Laundrie to turn himself in.

The former reality TV star announced last week he planned to return to Colorado to treat an injured ankle, but reversed those plans and said he was going to stay in Florida. It appears he has once again reversed his plans.

Police searching for missing woman suffering from undiagnosed paranoia

Friday 15 October 2021 19:14 , Graig Graziosi

In the wake of Gabby Petito’s disappearance the public has called for greater coverage of other missing person cases throughout the US.

Police in South Windsor are searching for a woman who was reported missing and last known whereabouts are near Washington, DC.

Lameisha Sherman, 46, left her home in South Windsor, Connecticut, in August and drove to Washington DC. Her family was last in contact with her in late September. She has not been heard from since.

Ms Sherman reportedly suffers from undiagnosed paranoia and sometimes is uncooperative with police.

Armed law enforcement officers seen entering the Carlton Reserve

Friday 15 October 2021 18:50 , Graig Graziosi

Law enforcement officers armed with rifles were spotted entering the Carlton Reserve today. The officers may be part of a group participating in a training exercise in the reserve today.

The vast protected swamplands have been the site of numerous searched for Brian Laundrie since his disappearance on 12 September.

Police tapped off the entrance to the park earlier today. Yesterday, law enforcement used a human remains detecting dog during their search for Mr Laundrie.

Thus far no evidence has been made publicly available suggesting Mr Laundrie is currently in the swamp.

Dog the Bounty Hunter claims he was going to tell Brian Laundrie’s father “I will not kill your son"

Friday 15 October 2021 18:33 , Graig Graziosi

Duane Chapman, aka Dog the Bounty Hunter, told The Sun that he wanted to try to talk to Chris Laundrie - Brian Laundrie’s father - to work his “heartstrings” to coax information about his son’s location out of him.

“I was going to work on the father’s, so to speak heartstrings, the way I get fired the truth right,” he said.

He also claimed he was going to try to reassure the father by saying he did not intend to kill his son.

“And sometimes that’s what I was going to tell him. I will not kill your son, I will let him, you know, make a phone call. I won’t talk to him,” Mr Chapman said.

The former reality TV star was briefly planning to leave the search to nurse an injured ankle, but scrapped those plans after a slew of headlines claimed he was “quitting” the search.

Moderators of Gabby Petito subreddit step down after critics claim they were “profiting” from woman’s death

Friday 15 October 2021 17:38 , Graig Graziosi

Several moderators of the Gabby Petito Reddit forum have apologised and stepped down after users complained that they were “profiting” off of the woman’s death.

The Independent’s Gino Spocchia has more on the story below...

Reddit moderators apologise over tasteless Gabby Petito awards

Police tape up at Carlton Reserve

Friday 15 October 2021 17:10 , Graig Graziosi

Police have used yellow tape to prevent members of the public from entering the Carlton Reserve.

Law enforcement officers are searching the Carlton Reserve again today after renewing the search on Thursday.

There is nothing to indicate the yellow tape has any other significance beyond being a police barrier.

Dog the Bounty Hunter urges Brian Laundrie to “for once, be a man” and turn himself in

Friday 15 October 2021 16:41 , Graig Graziosi

Duane Chapman - aka Dog the Bounty Hunter - shared a professional-wrestling style promo video with The Sun calling out Brian Laundrie.

“Let me have you, Brian,” he yells into the camera. “What did you do? You’re living it every night, aren’t you, boy?”

He then called on Mr Laundrie to “for once, be a man” and turn himself in to the authorities.

Mr Chapman is back on the search for Mr Laundrie after initially saying he was pulling back to treat an ankle injury. He has turned up little evidence since reporting his Fort DeSoto tip to the FBI.

Search teams back on North Port side of Carlton Reserve this morning

Friday 15 October 2021 15:52 , Graig Graziosi

Police search crews returned to the Carlton Reserve yesterday for the first time this week, and continued their search Friday morning.

Law enforcement focused their search near the Venice entrance of the swamp yesterday, and today are focusing on an entrance closer to North Port. It is the same area that Brian Laundrie’s father, Chris, helped the FBI search last week.

Laundrie attorney slams “dusty relics” Dog the Bounty Hunter and John Walsh

Friday 15 October 2021 15:31 , Graig Graziosi

The attorney representing Brian Laundrie, Steven Bertolino, swiped at “true crime” TV stars Duane Chapman - aka Dog the Bounty Hunter - and John Walsh, creator of “America’s Most Wanted.”

Mr Chapman has publicly opined that Mr Laundrie could be a serial killer based on the fact that he enjoys media with dark content. Mr Walsh has also made Mr Laundrie the center of his public theorising, claiming recently that the man - with the help of his father - escaped to Mexico. Mr Laundrie has not been charged in Ms Petito’s death, a point his lawyer stressed after calling Mr Chapman and Mr Walsh “dusty relics” who are exploiting Ms Petito’s death for their own “egos.”

The Independent’s Graig Graziosi has more from the attorney below...

Laundrie attorney slams Dog the Bounty Hunter, John Walsh for exploiting Petito case

Someone leaves Gabby Petito cutout on Laundrie family front lawn

Friday 15 October 2021 14:19 , Graig Graziosi

Someone left a large cardboard cutout of Gabby Petito on the Laundrie family’s front lawn overnight Thursday.

The cutout has a word bubble, which reads “remember me?” Ms Petito had lived in the home with her boyfriend Brian Laundrie and his parents for more than a year before she was killed.

It is unclear who sent the cutout or if it has since been removed by police.

Laundrie’s sister’s family asks for increased patrols following threats

Friday 15 October 2021 13:55 , Eleanor Sly

Brian Laundrie’s brother-in-law has requested increased patrols in his neighbourhood after his family received alarming threats, according to sheriff’s records.

Mr Laundrie’s whereabouts still remains unknown although he has been named as a person of interest in her death and is also the subject of a federal warrant for alleged debit card fraud.

James Luycx, the husband of Cassie Laundrie who is Brian Laundrie’s sister, told Manatee deputies on that strangers were sending threats to his family.

He went on to ask the responding officer for information about patrols in the area and for security advice, reported Fox News.

Sign with Gabby Petito’s image added to makeshift memorial corner of Laundrie property

Friday 15 October 2021 13:32 , Eleanor Sly

I’m a survivor of intimate partner violence. Gabby Petito’s killing is the wake-up call we all need

Friday 15 October 2021 12:46 , Eleanor Sly

Intimate violence against women ends in either death or escape – and escape just leads to a new world of trauma.

Victoria Gagliardo-Silver writes:

Gabby Petito’s death is the partner violence wake-up call we all need

Strangulation is a lesser-known sign of intimate partner violence, say experts

Friday 15 October 2021 12:10 , Eleanor Sly

The autopsy of Gabby Petito’s body revealed that she had been strangled, with a cause of death being officially listed as "manual strangulation/throttling.” This is, according to experts, a “very typically the cause of death in domestic violence cases.”

Kellie Lynch, an associate professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio explained: "Strangulation is not talked about as much, but it is a major risk factor for intimate partner homicide."

Speaking on Good Morning America she revealed: “We often see it occur alongside more severe abuse."

"When you’re talking about strangulation, that is very typically the cause of death in domestic violence cases," said Dan Abrams, ABC News chief legal analyst, during an interview on Wednesday on GMA.

He explained: "It is angry. It is violent. It takes time. That is precisely what many believe happened here."

Kidnapping survivor Elizabeth Smart speaks out on Gabby Petito case: ‘It’s heartbreaking’

Friday 15 October 2021 11:30 , Eleanor Sly

Kidnapping survivor Elizabeth Smart has spoken out about the murder of Gabby Petito, describing the case as “heartbreaking”.

Speaking in an interview with Jada Pinkett Smith on Red Table Talk, Ms Smart discussed her experience of being abducted aged 14 by street preacher Brian David Mitchell, and the recent case of Ms Petito.

“In Gabby’s case in particular, I mean, I was alive, and I came home, and hers tragically has not ended that way,” Ms Smart said.

Harriet Sinclair has more:

Kidnapping survivor speaks out on Gabby Petito case: ‘It’s heartbreaking’

Florida state attorney: it’s likely ‘murder charges are imminent’

Friday 15 October 2021 11:00 , Eleanor Sly

Following the release of Gabby Petito’s autopsy results, Dave Aronberg, State Attorney for Palm Beach County, tweeted: “Gabby Petito’s death was previously ruled a homicide.

“Today we learned that the cause of death was strangulation. This most likely means that murder charges are imminent.”

On Tuesday, the attorney told WPTV: “We’re moving towards filing charges but prosecutors are in no rush to file charges because once you file those charges, you have speedy trial rules and you have to try the case within 180 days.

“Prosecutors are going to make sure they have enough evidence before they file charges.”

Gabby Petito’s friends speak out after learning what caused her death

Friday 15 October 2021 10:15 , Eleanor Sly

Friends of Gabby Petito have responded to the revelation from Teton County Coroner Dr Brent Blue that she died by strangulation.

The friends spoke with People about their feelings in the wake of the grisly revelation.

“It makes me sick to my stomach,” Alyssa Chen, a friend of Ms Petito, told the outlet. “I wonder what was going through her mind, knowing she was probably about to die. She must have been so scared.”

Graig Graziosi reports:

Gabby Petito’s friends speak out after learning what caused her death

Coroner laments lack of coverage for other domestic violence cases

Friday 15 October 2021 09:52 , Eleanor Sly

Teton County Coroner Dr Brent Blue said that there is an ongoing "media circus" around the Gabby Petito case.

"Unfortunately, this is just one of many deaths around the country of people who are involved in domestic violence," he said. Dr Blue went on to add: "It’s unfortunate that these other deaths do not get as much coverage as this one."

He also underlined that his office was "only tasked with the determination of cause and manner of death. Who committed the homicide is up to law enforcement."

Ms Petito’s case has grabbed the public’s interests for the past month with many getting involved to try and solve the mystery of her disappearance and death.

It has, however, also highlighted how many thousands of missing persons’ are not subject to such intense interest.

There were a total of nearly 90,000 active missing person cases as of the end of 2020, according to the US National Crime Information Center.

Very few missing person cases are met with as much attention as Ms Petito’s has been.

Forensic pathologist says lack of information given by coroner was ‘quite disappointing’

Friday 15 October 2021 08:59 , Eleanor Sly

A forensic pathologist, Cyril Wecht, has said that the amount of information on Gabby Petito’s cause of death shared with the public was “quite disappointing.”

Teton County, Wyoming, coroner Brent Blue revealed at the press conference that Ms Petito died from manual strangulation.

Mr Wecht said: "I found the [press] conference by the coroner’s office there to be quite disappointing. I don’t know why, frankly, he conducted a news conference at all.”

He added: "Strangulation is a diagnosis that requires some anatomical, pathological question, and every question he was asked… he said he could not answer … or [was] not permitted to answer. I don’t know why he held that conference."

Gabby Petito timeline: When was she found and how did she die?

Friday 15 October 2021 07:48 , Eleanor Sly

The focus of the Brian Laundrie manhunt has shifted back to the Carlton Reserve in Florida after the family attorney said he believes the missing fugitive is still hiding out in the 25,000-acre nature reserve.

Steve Bertolino said Mr Laundrie, 23, may be unaware of the nationwide manhunt for him, telling Fox News: “I believe Brian is still in the preserve. And as such I don’t think he has access to the news.”

As law enforcement ramped up their search of the park on Wednesday, Mr Bertolino also revealed that Brian’s father Chris Laundrie had been asked to join in the hunt for his missing son.

Read more here:

A timeline of events in the Gabby Petito case

Petito case almost certain to involve first-degree murder charge, says lawyer

Friday 15 October 2021 06:21 , Adam Withnall

The results from Gabby Petito’s autopsy, partially released to the public this week after a lengthy delay, mean the case will almost certainly involve a first-degree murder charge, according to one former prosecutor.

The fact that Petito was killed by strangulation means prosecutors will inevitably claim a degree of premeditation on the part of whoever is arrested for the crime, says Mark Eiglarsh, a criminal defence lawyer and former prosecutor for Miami-Dade County.

Mr Eiglarsh told Fox News that killing by strangulation “almost always gets you first-degree murder”.

“You put your hands around the neck, that’s an unwanted touching, that’s simple battery or assault,” he said. “Then you start to squeeze, your argument could be, ‘Well, I just wanted to scare them.’ But then you contuse to affix pressure… There’s a certain amount of minimal time that someone needs to do that before somebody is dead,” Eiglarsh said.

“I think there’s a strong argument that if premeditation didn’t exist prior to the physical contact, it certainly was developed at some point during the strangulation.”

So far no suspects have been named in the Petito case. Brian Laundrie, the 22-year-old’s boyfriend who returned home alone from their road trip together, has been named by police as a “person of interest” and remains missing.

What would happen if Brian Laundrie is never found?

Friday 15 October 2021 04:00 , Justin Vallejo

Brian Laundrie has been missing for a month. Searches led by both the North Port Police and the FBI have turned up no new clues as to his whereabouts, and a scattering of reported sightings across the country have largely been proven false.

Survival experts agree that even a highly-trained survival expert would struggle evading capture and staying alive in the swamp for weeks on end, leading them to believe Mr Laundrie is either not in the swamp, or he is dead.

The North Port police agree, with Public Information Officer Josh Taylor claiming the likelihood of Mr Laundrie’s survival was “50-50.”

Graig Graziosi looks at what happens if he is never found alive.

What would happen if Brian Laundrie is never found?

ICYMI: Autopsy confirms Gabby Petito cause of death as strangulation

Friday 15 October 2021 03:00 , Justin Vallejo

Gabby Petito’s cause of death was homicide by strangulation, a coroner confirmed on Tuesday.

The Teton County Coroner Dr Brent Blue found Ms Petito died by “manual strangulation/throttling” in a written autopsy ruling released on Tuesday afternoon.

“In the of death in Gabrielle Venora Petito, we find the cause of death the cause is by strangulation and the manner is homicide,” Dr Blue told a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.

Bevan Hurley reports.

Gabby Petito autopsy confirms cause of death as strangulation

Laundrie attorney slams Dog the Bounty Hunter

Friday 15 October 2021 02:00 , Justin Vallejo

The attorney representing Brian Laundrie and his parents has lashed out at reality TV stars Duane Chapman – aka Dog the Bounty Hunter – and former America’s Most Wanted host John Walsh, claiming they're using the Gabby Petito case to fuel their “egos”.

Steven Bertolino made the comments to TMZ on Thursday after Mr Chapman tried to interview Mr Laundrie's sister, Cassie, and Mr Walsh posited a theory that Mr Laundrie had fled to Mexico.

“Dusty relics like that Dog and John Walsh need a tragic situation like this so they can clear the cobwebs off their names and give their publicity hungry egos some food,” he reportedly told the outlet.

Graig Graziosi reports.

Laundrie attorney slams Dog the Bounty Hunter, John Walsh for exploiting Petito case

Gabby Petito’s body is finally released by coroner so she can be cremated

Friday 15 October 2021 01:00 , Justin Vallejo

Gabby Petito’s body was released by a coroner in Wyoming on Thursday to a local mortuary for cremation.

Teton County’s coroner Brent Blue had said a day earlier that Petito was killed by manual strangulation and that she had died three to four weeks before her body was found on 19 September.

Petito’s father Joseph Petito travelled to Wyoming on Wednesday to collect his daughter’s ashes and bring them back home to Long Island, New York.

Sravasti Dasgupta reports.

Gabby Petito’s body finally released by coroner

Watch: Kidnapping survivor Elizabeth Smart speaks out on Gabby Petito

Friday 15 October 2021 00:25 , Justin Vallejo

“In Gabby's case in particular, I mean, I was alive, and I came home, and hers tragically has not ended that way,” Kidnapping survivor Elizabeth Smart said.

“But knowing what it's like being on the other side and potentially what may have happened and what may have led up to her final moments, and understanding probably a lot of what she was feeling, it's heartbreaking.”

Missing woman’s family take to TikTok to help find her after social media helped locate Gabby Petito

Friday 15 October 2021 00:00 , Justin Vallejo

Courtney Bryan’s most recent Instagram post shows her relaxing in the Hunt Hot Springs at the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, northern California on 23 September.

The 32-year-old is believed to have spent the day at the secluded spot 270 miles north of San Francisco with her dog and travelling companion, a black-and-white border collie mix called Booch.

After sending a text message from near the springs just after 9pm that night, Ms Bryan vanished, along with Booch and the maroon 2004 Subaru Legacy they were travelling in.

Desperate for answers and having seen how effectively social media was used in the Gabby Petito case, Ms Bryan’s sister Katana Curven has taken to TikTok asking for help.

Bevan Hurley reports.

Missing woman’s family take to TikTok to help find her

Gabby Petito strangled with bare hands rather than instrument, coroner says

Thursday 14 October 2021 23:35 , Justin Vallejo

The coroner who performed the autopsy on Gabby Petito clarified the cause of death, “manual strangulation/throttling:, as being done by human hands rather than an instrument or piece of equipment.

Teton County, Wyoming Coroner Brent Blue told NewsNationNow.com the body experienced decomposition after being exposed to the elements for nearly a month.

“Throttling generally means that it was done with human hands as opposed to an instrument,” Teton County, Mr Blue told the outlet.

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be, but manual strangulation basically means it was not done with equipment.”

Gabby Petito’s family to meet with law enforcement, report says

Thursday 14 October 2021 23:10 , Justin Vallejo

After collecting her ashes in Wyoming, the family of Gabby Petito is expected to meet with law enforcement on Thursday afternoon.

The meeting come after Petito’s mother, father, stepmother and stepfather, along with their family attorney, visited the site where her remains were recovered at the Spread Creek Dispersed Campground, according to a source quoted by Fox News.

Watch: Aerial footage of Carlton Reserve search

Thursday 14 October 2021 22:50 , Justin Vallejo

Pasco County K9 cadaver dogs joined the search in Carlton Reserve today. Eagle 8 WFLA did a fly over of the search, which can be seen in the video below.

Watch: Aerial footage of Carlton Reserve search

Thursday 14 October 2021 22:50 , Justin Vallejo

Pasco County K9 cadaver dogs joined the search in Carlton Reserve today. Eagle 8 WFLA did a fly over of the search, which can be seen in the video below.

Gabby Petito’s friends speak out after learning her cause of death

Thursday 14 October 2021 22:15 , Graig Graziosi

Gabby Petito’s friends shared their feelings after learning what caused her death on Tuesday.

Ms Petito’s friends expressed anger at Brian Laundrie - if he was involved in her death - and noted that she must have been “scared” during the attack that killed her.

The Independent’s Graig Graziosi has the full comments from her friends below...

Gabby Petito’s friends speak out after learning what caused her death

Gabby Petito’s mother called Laundrie family lawyer’s statement “garbage"

Thursday 14 October 2021 22:00 , Graig Graziosi

Gabby Petito’s mother, Nichole Schmidt, called Laundrie family attorney Steven Bertolino’s comments after her daughter’s cause of death was revealed “garbage.”

The Independent’s Graeme Massie has more comments from Ms Petito’s comments below...

Gabby Petito’s mother reacts to Laundrie lawyer after coroner reveals cause of death

32-year-old woman reported missing from Reno, Nevada

Thursday 14 October 2021 21:45 , Graig Graziosi

Courtney Bryan, a 32-year-old woman from Reno, Nevada, has been reported missing by her family.

In the wake of Gabby Petito’s disappearance and death there has been a call for equal coverage of other missing people across the US.

Ms Bryan was reported missing by her family after she failed to return home after visiting the Hunt Hot Springs in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest in Redding, California.

The woman’s sister took to TikTok to spread awareness of her sister’s disappearance and appeal for help locating her.

What would happen if Brian Laundrie is never found?

Thursday 14 October 2021 21:30 , Graig Graziosi

Brian Laundrie has been missing for over a month.

He has been charged with fraud and a warrant has been issued for his arrest, but he has not yet been charged with murder, nor has he been located.

What would happen if he is never found?

The Independent’s Graig Graziosi examines that question below...

What would happen if Brian Laundrie is never found?

Teton County Coroner Dr Brent Blue says he wants to avoid “media circus"

Thursday 14 October 2021 21:20 , Graig Graziosi

The coroner who performed the autopsy on Gabby Petito’s remains, Dr Brent Blue, said he was trying to avoid the “media circus” surrounding her case.

Dr Blue announced Tuesday that Ms Petito died of strangulation and chastised the press for unequal coverage of domestic violence cases.

Mr Blue made his comments to the Courier-Journal in a recent interview.

“The media has been somewhat of a circus because there’s so much sensationalism going on,” he said. “But I’m just doing my job and keeping it very objective, very professional and trying to ignore the hoopla.”

“Gabby Petito’s killing is the wake-up call we all need"

Thursday 14 October 2021 21:02 , Graig Graziosi

The death of Gabby Petito has stirred discussion about domestic violence after police video surfaced of her admitting that her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, had hit her during their road trip across the US west.

Victoria Gagliardo-Silver shared her thoughts with The Independent about how Ms Petito’s case highlights the continued threat women face from violent partners across the globe.

Read her perspective below...

Gabby Petito’s death is the partner violence wake-up call we all need