Brian Laundrie’s notebook is being preserved by the FBI and may shed light on his suicide and Gabby Petito murder case
BRIAN Laundrie's notebook is being preserved by the FBI and it may shed light on his suicide and the Gabby Petito murder case, according to one expert.
Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe told the journal could help to understand Laundrie's "motive" or his feelings about fiance Gabby Petito.
McCabe said a team of law enforcement experts can help to dry out their paper, "trying to recover the writing, the ink marks, and fingerprints."
He added: "In terms of understanding Laundrie’s motive, his feeling about Petito, maybe event any kind of notes or comments he may have made about the events—that notebook could shed a lot of light on those issues."
Laundrie's remains and personal items were found in Florida's Carlton Reserve on October 20 - a month after his fiance Gabby was found strangled to death at a Wyoming campsite.
Family attorney Steven Bertolino confirmed on Tuesday Brian himself with a bullet to the head.
"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," Laundrie family attorney Steven Bertolino told The Sun on Tuesday.
"Chris and Roberta are still mourning the loss of their son and are hopeful that these findings bring closure to both families," he added.
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The remains, and the articles belonging to Brian, were found in a stretch of land inside the 24,000-acre park that until recently had been submerged in floodwaters.
Internet sleuths have been long convinced that the 23-year-old’s journal will provide clues into his fiancée’s disappearance and death.
Criminologist Casey Jordan said then that a notebook “pointed to the possibility” of a suicide note, reports.
The contents inside the notebook remain unknown.
Laundrie was pictured with notebooks while traveling with Gabby Petito.
In one photo, Brian was tucked under some blankets next to a stream and appeared to be relaxing in a hammock while they explored the Appalachian Trail in Georgia.
A green spiraled notebook was seen stacked on top of a paperback edition of Lullaby by Chuck Palahniuk with a handful of fine point ink pens.
Gabby commented on the photo: "Went hiking for my #22."
And, during their ill-fated cross-country road trip, an orange notebook can be seen inside a tent while the young couple was camping at Zion National Park, Utah.
Other notebooks appear to be shelved inside Gabby's immaculately decorated 2012 Ford Transit Connect van's interior.
Laundrie had been reported missing by his parents on September 17 - days after police were also informed about Gabby's disappearance.
Brian returned to his parents' home on September 1 without Gabby.
It was not until ten days later that Gabby's parents reported her missing after not being able to contact their daughter or Brian.
Brian - named as a person of interest in the case - was refusing to cooperate with cops before his own disappearance and death.
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Family lawyer Bertolino did not reveal where the gun Laundrie used to kill himself came from or if it has been located.
And when asked about the weapon used by Laundrie, he told The Sun: "Not certain."
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