DNA CLUES

Gabby Petito nails could lead cops to killer, says Nancy Grace as some fear Brian Laundrie ‘may use romance as defense’

GABBY Petito's killer could be revealed by her finger nails, investigator Nancy Grace says.

Results from the slain 22-year-old hiker's autopsy were announced on Tuesday, confirming that she was strangled before her body was discarded in .

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clawed at her killer as she was strangled, potentially capturing their DNA under her fingernails.

"This is a sweetheart murder," Grace said. "You are up close and personal with your victim. Gabby was out there alone strangled dead. 

"Because her body was in the elements so long, we may not get certain evidence like DNA on her body or fibers from the killer's shirt. 

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"But I would look immediately to her finger nails. If she scratched at her killer that evidence may be protected." 

Teton County Coroner Dr Brent Blue on Tuesday confirmed that DNA evidence had been turned over to law enforcement but declined to comment further.

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Grace's comments came as nationwide manhunt continues for Gabby's fiance , who vanished in Florida two days before her body was found.

Brian is considered a person of interest in Gabby's homicide but has not been named as a suspect.

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 four weeks ago set off a wave of speculation on social media about his potential involvement in Gabby's death.

Amateur sleuths posting theories on Reddit have shared concerns that Brian could use his romantic involvement with Gabby as a defense if his DNA is found on her body.

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