Brian Laundrie news – latest: Gabby Petito family lawyer says charges against new people being considered

Gabby Petito’s fiance, Brian Laundrie, shot himself in the head, autopsy results show.

Laundrie had been the subject of a manhunt for more than a month as investigators searched for clues in the death of Ms Petito during their cross-country van trip together.

The Laundrie family’s lawyer Steven Bertolino said his parents had been informed that the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head, and the manner of death was suicide.

Laundrie’s remains were discovered by his parents and FBI in Myakkahatachee Creek Environmental Park on 20 October.

The remains, which included part of a human skull, were found along with a backpack and notebook in an area of the park previously submerged in water.

Authorities have also been trying to repair a personal notebook retrieved from a dry bag near his body as part of their investigation into the death of his girlfriend Gabby Petito.

Crucial to their investigation will be Laundrie’s digital communications, including his texts and emails, use of social media, and internet browsing history prior to his death.

Read More

Florida police who lost Brian Laundrie charged 100k in overtime on the case

Gabby Petito’s mother says she didn’t see warning signs in Brian Laundrie relationship in new interview

Brian Laundrie’s parents: Who are Christopher and Roberta Laundrie?

Key Points

• Brian Laundrie shot himself in the head, family attorney says

• Gabby Petito family waiting to see if others will be charged as Brian Laundrie lawyer reveals cause of death

• Brian Laundrie: Parents say they hope cause of death verdict ‘brings closure to both families’

• Florida police who lost Brian Laundrie charged 100k in overtime on the case

FBI remain silent on Brian Laundrie case

17:08 , Graig Graziosi

The FBI Denver office is maintaining its silence after a forensic anthropologist revealed that Brian Laundrie died by suicide from a self-inflicted gunshot to the head.

Richard Stafford, the lawyer representing the Petito family also noted today that prosecutors are considering bringing charges against additional individuals.

The federal agency offered no information to reporters who asked about the developments, instead directing them to the FBI Denver Twitter page and wishing them a happy Thanksgiving.

Prosecutors considering new charges in Gabby Petito case

15:43 , Graig Graziosi

Petito family lawyer Richard Stafford revealed that prosecutors may be considering bringing charges against other individuals involved with the Gabby Petito case.

“The Schmidt and Petito family has been aware of the circumstances surrounding the suicide of the sole suspect in Gabby’s murder,” Mr Stafford said. “The family was asked to not comment and let the FBI continue their investigation and allow the United States Attorney’s Office to make a determination on whether any additional individuals will be charged.”

It is unclear who else prosecutors might consider charging or what charges they will bring.

ICYMI: Brian Laundrie shot himself in the head, family attorney says

14:47 , Charlene Rodrigues

Brian Laundrie died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, family attorney Steven Bertolino has revealed. The Independent has more.

Brian Laundrie shot himself in the head, family attorney says

ICYMI: Who is Gabby Petito? ‘Sweet’ waitress whose dream of influencer fame ended in tragedy

12:06 , Charlene Rodrigues

Gabby Petito, 22, was an aspiring social media star who went missing in late August during a cross-country road trip from New York to Oregon with her fiancé. Her body was later found in Wyoming, where the couple had been travelling.

Sheila Flynn has more.

Who is Gabby Petito? ‘Sweet’ waitress whose dream of influencer fame ended in tragedy

ICYMI: Gabby Petito’s mother says the family didn’t notice any “red flags” during her daughter’s relationship with Brian Laundrie

10:19 , Charlene Rodrigues

Gabby Petito’s mother says the family didn’t notice any “red flags” during her daughter’s relationship with Brian Laundrie, Bevan Hurley writes.

Gabby Petito’s mother says she didn’t see warning signs in Laundrie relationship

Brian Laundrie only person ever identified as person of interest in Gabby Petito’s death

08:43 , Chiara Giordano

The investigation into Gabby Petito's murder has not yet concluded, however Brian Laundrie was the only person ever identified by law enforcement officials as a person of interest in the case.

Ms Petito's family reported the 22-year-old missing on 11 September, prompting a search that garnered worldwide media attention and, in Laundrie's case, focused largely on the Carlton Reserve wilderness park near the Laundrie home.

It is a densely wooded, swampy area that's home to alligators, coyotes, bobcats, snakes and numerous other creatures.

Ms Petito's remains were discovered on 19 September on the edge of Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, one of the places the young couple had visited on the trip they documented through social media videos. Authorities said the body had been there for about a month.

An autopsy in Wyoming concluded the travel blogger died by strangulation and that it was a homicide.

Laundrie was listed as a “person of interest” in her killing but he was charged only with fraudulent use of a debit card that was not his.

Questions remain over gun that killed Laundrie

07:05 , Namita Singh

As the medical examiners ruled Brian Laundrie’s cause of death to be suicide by way of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, the lack of public information about the recovery of any weapon from the swamp where Laundrie’s remains were found has provoked many questions among followers of the case online.

“If Brian Laundrie shot himself, what happened to the gun? Don’t remember them saying they found one,” said Jack Posobiec, a senior editor at Human Events, a conservative American newspaper.

“All of us trying to figure out how Brian Laundrie killed himself with a gun that was never found,” wrote another user.

While the FBI issued a statement the day after it announced the recovery of skeleton remains from Carlton Reserve, it did not indicate locating a firearm. The agency, however, also has no obligation to reveal any of its findings to the public during an ongoing investigation.

Brian Laundrie autopsy report not yet released in full

06:36 , Namita Singh

While the medical examiner has confirmed a gunshot wound to the head was the cause of Brian Laundrie’s death, officials have said that they will not be releasing the full report until the criminal investigation into the case is “complete”.

The press release from the District Twelve Medical Examiner’s office said that they are doing this “in accordance with Florida Statutes and at the request of Federal Bureau of Investigation”.

The District Twelve Medical Examiner’s office, which covers Sarasota County, Florida, said in a statement that the determination on cause and manner of death had been made through a complete examination of skeletal remains, DNA analysis, as well as consultations with a forensic odonatologist, including dental comparison for identification, and a forensic anthropologist, including skeletal reconstruction.

The little-known reporter who broke the biggest story in America

04:55 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: The journalist who became the most trusted source of information in the Petito-Laundrie story says the truth will eventually come out.

“I think the FBI knows a lot of those questions and they will be resolved,” he told Bevan Hurley.

The little-known reporter who broke the biggest story in America

Brian Laundrie death: No gun recovered amid reports firearm belonging to family is missing

04:01 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: A forensic anthropologist has ruled that Brian Laundrie‘s cause of death was suicide by way of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Laundrie is the only person of interest in the death of his fiancee, Gabby Petito. Ms Petito’s remains were found in Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National Forest in September, her death ruled a homicide by manual strangulation. Laundrie’s skeletal remains were found about a month later in Florida’s Carlton Reserve. A medical examiner sent the remains to a forensic anthropologist after a cause of death could not be determined.

Graig Graziosi has the story.

Brian Laundrie: No gun found amid reports firearm belonging to family is missing

Brian Laundrie shot himself in the head, family attorney says

03:04 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: Brian Laundrie died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, family attorney Steven Bertolino has revealed.

Bevan Hurley has the story.

Brian Laundrie shot himself in the head, family attorney says

Gabby Petito family waiting to see if others will be charged as Brian Laundrie lawyer reveals cause of death

02:05 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: The family of Gabby Petito has said it is waiting to see if other individuals are charged over their daughter’s murder, after it was reported the suspect in her death had shot himself in the head.

Andrew Buncombe has the story.

Petito family waiting to see if others charged over daughter’s murder

Timeline of events in Petito-Laundrie case

01:03 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: Timeline of events in Petito-Laundrie case

2 July – Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie leave New York for van-life 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 – Laundrie flies from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Tampa, Florida, alone, to collect some items and close a storage unit as the couple allegedly contemplates extending their road trip.

23 August – Laundrie returns to Salt Lake City to rejoin Petito.

24 August – Petito spotted checking out of a hotel in Salt Lake City with Laundrie.

25 August – Petito has a video call with her mother.

27 August – Louisiana couple see Petito and Laundrie involved in a “commotion” at the Merry Piglets Tex-Mex restaurant in Jackson, Wyoming. Last known sighting of Petito.

30 August – last text messages sent from Petito’s phone.

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

11 September – Petito’s family launch missing person’s investigation

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

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

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

20 September – FBI search the Laundrie home, declared it 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 Laundrie, related to “activities following the death of Gabby”.

12 October – Teton County Coroner announces Petito’s cause of death was strangulation.

20 October – Human remains discovered in Florida’s Carlton Reserve, alongside personal items that belonged to Laundrie.

21 October – FBI match Laundrie’s dental records to human remains found in the Carlton Reserve.

23 November - Autopsy results confirm Brian Laundrie died from self-inflicted gunshot wound to head and verdict of suicide recorded.

Florida police who lost Brian Laundrie charged 100k in overtime on the case

00:02 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: The months-long investigation by North Port police into the disappearances and deaths of Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie allegedly cost more than $100,000 (£74,000) in overtime pay.

A spokesperson for the North Port Police Department said on Monday that although it did not track how much it was spending on its investigations, the cost of paying overtime was over $100,000 (£74,000).

Gino Spocchia has the story.

Search for Brian Laundrie cost 100k in overtime

Nearly 5,000 people sign petition for police department investigation

Tuesday 23 November 2021 21:31 , Graeme Massie

A total of 4,790 people have signed the change.org petition, calling for a probe into North Port Police Department’s handling of the Brian Laundrie investigation.

“The North Port Police Department has been incompetent in their handling of both Gabby Petito’s missing persons case as well as the Brian Laundrie’s missing person case,” the petition reads.

“Millions of taxpayers money was spent on this investigation over a month’s time with little to no results. Within a day of the search area being opened back up to the public, the person of interest’s parents were the one’s to discover belongings of that of their son.”

Did Brian Laundrie leave a suicide note? Damaged notebook may provide last chance of learning how Gabby Petito died

Tuesday 23 November 2021 20:41 , Graeme Massie

A notebook recovered close to the skeletal remains of Gabby Petito’s boyfriend Brian Laundrie may represent the last hope authorities have for finding answers about her death.

Laundrie, whose death was confirmed to be gunshot wounds by suicide on Tuesday, was found in the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park on 20 October, along with personal items including a notebook that had been sealed inside a dry bag.

Bevan Hurley has the story.

Did Brian Laundrie leave a suicide note?

Brian Laundrie: Parents say they hope cause of death verdict ‘brings closure to both families’

Tuesday 23 November 2021 20:25 , Graeme Massie

Brian Laundrie’s parents say they hope that the result of an examination into his cause of death brings closure to both their family and that of Gabby Petito, his fiancé who was murdered in August.

Family attorney Steven Bertolino announced that Mr Laundrie has died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Oliver O’Connell has the story.

Brian Laundrie parents hope cause of death verdict brings ‘closure to both families’

Medical Examiner releases official Brian Laundrie report

Tuesday 23 November 2021 20:01 , Graeme Massie

Earlier, the family lawyer had confirmed Laundrie died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Utah city accused of violating state law to return $3,000 in fees collected for Gabby Petito police body camera video

Tuesday 23 November 2021 19:51 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: The city of Moab, Utah is returning almost $3,000 in fees it charged several media organisations for the release of body camera footage depicting a police encounter with Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie.

In the footage, Moab police officers respond to a domestic violence call claiming Mr Laundrie had hit Ms Petito, and that Ms Petito had scratched Mr Laundrie. The officers talk to the couple about the fight before suggesting they separate for the night to cool down. The footage was captured on 12 August, and nearly a month later Ms Petito was reported missing.

Graig Graziosi has more.

Utah city to refund nearly $3,000 in fees charged for Gabby Petito police footage

Police hold gun found where Dog the Bounty Hunter searched for Brian Laundrie ‘in evidence’

Tuesday 23 November 2021 19:44 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: Police are holding a gun found in the area where Dog the Bounty Hunter searched for Brian Laundrie in evidence.

Christopher Sacco reeled in the weapon in a plastic bag as he fished in the waters off Fort De Soto Park about a week ago.

Mr Sacco called the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office to report the gun and officers came to take possession of the weapon and placed it in property and evidence, a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office said.

Authorities have not said there is any connection between the weapon and the Laundrie case at this stage.

Police hold gun found near Dog the Bounty Hunter Brian Laundrie search area

Brian Laundrie shot himself in head, family lawyer says

Tuesday 23 November 2021 18:35 , Graeme Massie

Gabby Petito’s fiance Brian Laundrie shot himself in the head, autopsy results show.

“Chris and Roberta Laundrie have been informed that the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head and the manner of death was suicide,” the family’s attorney, Steven Bertolino said.

“Chris and Roberta are still mourning the loss of their son and are hopeful that these findings bring closure to both families.”

Gabby Petito: Everything we know about YouTuber’s murder on ‘dream’ road trip

Tuesday 23 November 2021 18:31 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: Gabby Petito, 22, an aspiring social media star who went missing in late August during a “dream” cross-country road trip from New York to Oregon with her fiancé, was strangled to death, and her body found in a Wyoming national park.

More than a month later, skeletal human remains found inside the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in Florida were confirmed to be those of her fiancé Brian Laundrie. There had been no trace of him throughout a weeks-long hunt.

Everything we know about Gabby Petito’s murder on ‘dream’ road trip

Brian Laundrie: Autopsy results update expected ‘today or tomorrow’, says Attorney

Tuesday 23 November 2021 17:46 , Graeme Massie

The results of an autopsy on Brian Laundrie’s body will be announced in the following 48 hours, a lawyer for his family has said.

Steve Bertolino, an attorney for the Laundrie family, told News 4 New York of the news on Tuesday.

Gino Spocchia has more.

Brian Laundrie autopsy results expected 'today or tomorrow'

Brian Laundrie: The dark themes that permeate his digital footprint

Tuesday 23 November 2021 18:05 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: A recently uncovered social media account belonging to Brian Laundrie is being pored over by an army of internet sleuths seeking clues to his state of mind prior to his death.

The Pinterest page suspected of being Mr Laundrie’s is also offering new clues into his state of mind in the weeks before his girlfriend Gabby Petito went missing on or about 25 August.

Bevan Hurley has more.

The dark themes permeating Brian Laundrie’s digital footprint