Coroner: Gabby Petito was murdered
Remains confirmed those of Petito, Dr. Blue calls it homicide
JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — Teton County Coroner Brent Blue today positively identified the remains found in Spread Creek Sunday as those of Gabrielle Venora Petito, date of birth March 19, 1999. He also determined the manner of death to be homicide, though he would not elaborate on cause of death or what led his office to determine Petito’s death to be a result of murder.
Blue’s autopsy did not make mention of a murder weapon, nor would he say exactly what killed Petito other than to confirm her death is now considered a homicide.
“The FBI and our partners remain dedicated to ensuring anyone responsible for or complicit in Ms. Petito’s death is held accountable for their actions,” read a statement from Michael Schneider. “Mr. Laundrie has been named a person of interest.”
A search for Petito’s boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, continues. Anyone with information on the case, or as to the whereabouts of Laundrie, is asked to contact the FBI.
Speculation that Laundrie may have left information on where to find Gabby in a note left on his abandoned car in Florida is running wild on the internet. The same day police launched a search for a missing Laundrie, authorities also zeroed in on Spread Creek in northern Jackson Hole as a place to search.
But Jessica Schultz told the San Francisco Chronicle it was she who tipped off the FBI on where to look after spotting the couple’s white Ford Transit van on the Bridger-Teton National Forest in the dispersed camping area of Spread Creek.
“He was very awkward and confused and it was just him, there was no Gabby,” Schultz said. “My friend texted me a picture of the hat on the dashboard and I just lost my shit. And that’s when I called the FBI (on Thursday) and said, ‘Guys, look at Spread Creek.’”
Petito’s remains are on the way back to Long Island. The family attorney asked for privacy until Gabby is “back home.” At that time, the family will issue a statement with more expected as to what exactly leads authorities to believe Petito was murdered.
The Spread Creek area has been cleared for public use after the investigation wrapped up today. The FBI is still seeking information from anyone who may have been in the dispersed camping area of Spread Creek (north of Jackson and Moose, south of Moran), during the time period August 27-30.
Information may be provided online or by phone (800) CALL-FBI, or (303) 629-7171.
You do know that homicide and murder are not the same things, right? Murder implies premeditation and intent–two things that the Coroner does NOT have the ability to determine. This could be murder, yes. It could also be manslaughter or an accident. Charges are up to the DA to decide on, not the Coroner.