Back on Sep. 11, 2021, Gabby Petitio was officially reported missing by her family, and ever since then, the world has not been the same. Many wondered how someone with such a pure soul and love for life could go missing. But soon enough, as her case took on worldwide headlines and more information began to break regarding what could have happened to her, many pointed their fingers in the same direction: her fiance, Brain Laundrie. 

Ever since Petito’s case first took headlines back in the fall of 2021, Laundrie has always been someone everyone has been wary of. He was the last person to be with her and even returned home alone without Petito in her van. They were still supposed to be on their cross-country trip to different national parks, and the fact that Laundrie was back without warning and Petito was nowhere to be found raised red flags for many. But without enough evidence to say where Petito was located or what had happened to her, an arrest of Laundrie could not be made.

As this case continued to gain traction, Petito’s family never stopped pleading with Laundrie’s family in hopes that they would help in her investigation, but they never did. Through it all, they stayed completely silent, which again, many took as a bright and flashing red flag. But then, Laundrie’s family did confess to one thing, they did not know where their son was. As reported on Sep, 17. 2021, Laundrie had not been seen by his family since Sep 14. Not only were authorities still looking for Petito, but now they were looking for Laundrie as well. 

Just four days later on Sept. 21, 2021, remains found in the Bridger-Teton National Forest were quickly confirmed to be those of Petito. However, there was still no sign of Laundrie which led authorities to continue their search for him in the Carlton Reserve. Expectantly, on Oct. 20, 2021, human remains were found there, and just a day later, were confirmed to be Laundrie’s. 

After the discoveries of both Petito’s and Laundrie’s remains, the case cooled down quite a bit. There was a point in which not much new information was being released, but with the information the public did know, many were able to piece together their own idea of what happened between the pair. However, recent news of the discovery of a notebook near Laundrie’s remains confirmed what everyone believed: that Laundrie was responsible for Petito’s death. 

“A review of the notebook revealed written statements by Mr. Laundrie claiming responsibility for Ms. Petito’s death,” said the FBI’s Denver Field Office.

Despite the fact that the outcome of this case is not what authorities and others had hoped for, we can all appreciate that the Petito family is able to get the closure they need. Petito was a very bright and loving young woman that had a bright future ahead of her. We must remember her for the inspiring person she was and not only the unfortunate circumstances that resulted in her death.