The search for Brian Laundrie: What we know as the Gabby Petito timeline evolves
Autopsy results for Brian Laundrie on Nov. 23 revealed that he died by suicide, according to family attorney Steven Bertolino. Authorities found the skeletal remains of Laundrie on Oct. 20 at the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in southern Sarasota County, where he was reported missing by his family.
Laundrie's parents first told police their son went hiking in the near 25,000-acre Carlton Reserve in southern Sarasota County on Sept. 14, and they reported him missing three days later. But this week, an attorney representing the family said that he believes Laundrie may have actually left a day earlier.
Several other new dates have emerged, including a Laundrie family camping trip at Fort De Soto Park in Pinellas County just days before Petito was reported missing and a flight Laundrie took back to Florida earlier without her.
Previously: True crime story of Gabby Petito draws attention seekers
Sister of Brian Laundrie speaks out: 'I am losing my parents and my brother'
The timeline of the case has continued to evolve since the investigation began. Here's what we know and what's changed:
July 2: Departure
The couple left Blue Point, New York, on a planned four-month cross-country road trip.
July 4 - Aug. 11: The trip
According to both their social media accounts, they traveled from Kansas to Utah, stopping in Colorado from July 8 through at least July 10. The couple posted photos in Utah from July 16 through Aug.12.
Aug. 12: Moab Police encounter
Officers in Utah pulled over their van after they received a 911 call reporting a "domestic dispute." In the recording of the call, a man said that “the gentlemen was slapping the girl” during their argument, adding that the couple “ran up and down the sidewalk” before the man “proceeded to hit her.”
Full story: Police footage of Gabby Petito offers new insight
Officers concluded that Petito was the aggressor and initially wanted to arrest her for disorderly conduct, noting visible scratches on Laundrie's neck and arms.
The lead officer, Daniel Robbins, concluded that he did “not believe the situation escalated to the level of a domestic assault as much as that of a mental health crisis.” He then separated them for the night, taking Laundrie to a hotel and leaving Petito with the van.
Aug. 19: 'Van Life'
The first and only video was uploaded to the couple's shared Youtube account. The video showed multiple clips of them seemingly happy on their journey thus far.
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Aug. 17-23: Brian flies to Florida
According to Laundrie's lawyer Steven Bertolino, Laundrie flew back into Tampa from Salt Lake City airport on Aug. 17.
“Brian flew home to obtain some items and empty and close the storage unit to save money as they contemplated extending the road trip,” Bertolino said, adding that Laundrie flew back to Salt Lake City on Aug. 23 to "rejoin Gabby."
Aug. 25: Petito last seen
Petito was last known to be in Grand Teton, Wyoming on Aug. 25 heading towards Yellowstone National Park.
Aug. 27: Text to mom
According to the FBI, Petito's mother, Nichole Schmidt, received an "odd text" from her daughter. The message read, "Can you help Stan, I just keep getting his voicemails and missed calls." FBI said the reference to "Stan," was regarding her grandfather, but Schmidt told authorities she never referred to him by his first name.
This was the "last communication anyone had" with her, according to the FBI.
The New York Times reported that Schmidt received another text from Petito on Aug. 30 reading, "No service in Yosemite." However, the FBI has not confirmed this text.
Aug. 30 - Sept. 1: Laundrie fraud
According to the FBI, Laundrie "knowingly and with intent to defraud" used a Capital One debit card to withdraw at least $1,000 from two accounts that did not belong to him.
Manhunt for Laundrie: Federal arrest warrant issued for Brian Laundrie as North Port Police search becomes manhunt
Sept. 1: Laundrie returns home
Police say Laundrie returned to North Port driving Petito's van without her. Laundrie and his parents visited his sister at her home in Lakewood Ranch. She said that she had no idea Laundrie was back from his trip with Petito. She also stated she did not know he drove Petito's van back without her.
Sept. 6-7: Fort De Soto trip
According to Bertolino, Laundrie and his parents had an overnight camping trip at Fort De Soto in Pinellas County. Laundrie's sister visited them on Sept. 6, stayed for dinner and dessert, and left the same day. Her parents and brother spent the night.
Sept. 11: Petito reported missing
Petito's parents filed a missing persons report with the Suffolk County Police Department in New York.
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Sept. 13: Laundrie leaves home
According to Bertolino, Laundrie left his parents' home in the family Mustang on Sept. 13 headed to the Carlton Reserve for a hike. It has been previously reported that his parents said he left Sept. 14, which Bertolino now says is incorrect.
"The Laundries were basing the date Brian left on their recollection of certain events," Bertolino said. "Upon further communication with the FBI and confirmation of the Mustang being at the Laundrie residence on Wednesday, Sept. 15, we now believe the day Brian left to hike in the preserve was Monday, Sept. 13."
Sept. 14: Laundrie Mustang found
An officer with the North Port Police Department marked the Laundrie Mustang as abandoned at 2:42 p.m. on Sept. 14. The vehicle was located on the 6900 block of Reisterstown Road, in North Port, east of Carlton Reserve.
The entire report was redacted due to the ongoing investigation.
Sept. 15: 'Person of interest'
The North Port Police Department named Laundrie as a person of interest in Petito's disappearance.
Bertolino also issued a statement that day saying he advised Laundrie not to speak with police about Petito's disappearance.
"Mr. Laundrie will continue to remain silent on the advice of counsel," Bertolino said.
This same day, the Laundrie parents found the Mustang in North Port but decided to leave it in case their son returned, according to Bertolino.
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Sept. 16: Parents retrieve Mustang
The Laundrie parents returned to Carlton Reserve and took the Mustang back to their family home, according to police.
Sept. 17: Laundries report son missing
The North Port Police Department confirmed that Laundrie's parents filed a missing persons report for their son around 5 p.m.
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Sept. 18: Officials search for Laundrie and Petito
The official search for Laundrie as a missing person began. Over 50 law enforcement officers combed through the Carlton Reserve's nearly 25,000 acres of land.
Meanwhile in Wyoming, the FBI in Denver said that agents were conducting ground surveys at Grand Teton National Park for Petito.
OPINION: Brian Laundrie is long gone from North Port
Sept. 19: Body found
FBI released a statement that they found a body "consistent with the description" of Petito at Grand Teton National Park. FBI tweeted that Petito's family had been notified.
Sept. 20: Laundrie search warrant
The FBI executed a search warrant Monday morning at the Laundrie home in North Port. His parents were seen getting into a van with law enforcement officials as the search began.
Detectives were authorized to seize computers, phones and digital information. They also towed away the Mustang from the house.
Sept. 21: Body confirmed
The FBI confirmed that the body found at Grand Teton National Park was Petito. A coroner ruled the manner of death homicide. The cause of death still remains pending final autopsy results.
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Full story: Gabby Petito's remains identified; coroner initially rules death a homicide
Sept. 23: Laundrie arrest warrant
The FBI issues a federal arrest warrant for Laundrie regarding his "activities" following the death of Petito. The U.S. District Court of Wyoming issued the warrant and indictment for Laundrie's use of a Capital One debit card that did not belong to him.
Sept. 26: Petito funeral
The parents of Petito held a public funeral without her body in Holbrook, New York.
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Sept. 27 - Oct. 5: Search continues
The search for Laundrie has continued since his parents reported him missing on Sept. 17.
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OPINION: Blame Brian Laundrie's disappearance on FBI
Oct. 6: Search intensifies
The search for Laundrie has continued at Carlton Reserve, although it has been "scaled back." Then reports of increased police activity in the area flooded social media Wednesday. Authorities have not commented on their search efforts.
Laundrie's father “Chris Laundrie was asked to assist law enforcement in their search for Brian at the preserve today,” the family's attorney said in a statement Wednesday. “Since the preserve has been closed to the public, Chris has not been able to look for Brian in the only place Chris and Roberta believe Brian may be. Unfortunately, North Port police had to postpone Chris’ involvement, but Chris and Roberta are hopeful there will be another opportunity to assist.”
Oct. 12: Petito's cause of death was strangulation, coroner confirms
Teton County Coroner Dr. Brent Blue said Tuesday that Gabrielle “Gabby” Petito died of strangulation.
Blue also said Petito's body was “outside in the wilderness” three to four weeks before her body was found in Teton on Sept. 19, which would place her time of death in mid to late August.
Full story: Gabby Petito's cause of death was strangulation, Wyoming coroner confirms
Oct. 20: Items found at Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park
As the search for fugitive Brian Laundrie continues into week five, the FBI has confirmed items believed to belong to him were found Wednesday in the vast woods of southern Sarasota County.
Follow along: Items belonging to Brian Laundrie found at Myakkahatchee Creek park
Oct. 21: Human remains confirmed to be Brian Laundrie, FBI says
Using dental records, authorities have confirmed the human remains found at the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park match Brian Laundrie.
What to know: Human remains of Brian Laundrie confirmed, FBI says. Here are six things to know
Nov. 23: Brian Laundrie autopsy results revealed
In a statement, Laundrie family attorney Steven Bertolino said authorities ruled Brian Laundrie's death as a suicide. The cause of death was a gunshot to the head.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Gabby Petito, Brian Laundrie updates: What we know as timeline evolves
