How Brian Laundrie sent fake text messages from Gabby Petito’s phone to deceive FBI investigators and delay probe
BRIAN Laundrie exchanged fake text messages with Gabby Petito's phone in order to mislead police, according to the FBI.
The revelation came on Friday as federal investigators also revealed Brian Laundrie admitted to killing Gabby in a notebook found near his body.
The FBI said the investigation into Gabby's death is set to be closed now that all investigation steps are complete.
“The investigation did not identify any other individuals other than Brian Laundrie directly involved in the tragic death of Gabby Petito," the January 21 update from the FBI said.
'FAKE' TEXTS
The FBI said in the statement that several text messages were exchanged between Gabby's and Brian's phones after Gabby's death.
Though the FBI didn't detail the content of the texts, investigators said it was clear that they were meant to deceive police investigating Gabby's disappearance.
"The timing and content of these messages are indicative of Mr. Laundrie attempting to deceive law enforcement by giving the impression that Ms. Petito was still alive," the FBI said.
Gabby’s mother Nichole Schmidt said in October that she believed the last text she received from her daughter's phone wasn’t written by the late vlogger.
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Schmidt received the message on August 30, when Gabby and Brian were still on their cross-country road trip.
The FBI pinpointed Gabby's date of death to be between August 27 to 30, and it’s still unclear if Gabby sent her mom the message.
Schmidt said that she had received other strange texts from her daughter before the chilling final message.
“Can you help Stan, I just keep getting his voicemails and missed calls,” a message from August 27 read.
Stan was believed to refer to Gabby’s grandfather, who Schmidt said Gabby never called by his first name.
Some people theorized online that the texts were sent by Brian but the FBI did not reveal which texts Brian sent from Gabby's phone in their latest update.
INVESTIGATION TIMELINE
In the latest statement, the FBI laid out a timeline of the investigation into Gabby's disappearance, which began on September 12, 2021.
A multi-agency search quickly got underway and Gabby's body was found a week later, at a Wyoming camping area near where she and Brian had been seen together on their trip.
An autopsy determined Gabby died of “blunt-force injuries to the head and neck, with manual strangulation" as the FBI zeroed in on Brian as the suspect.
Brian's remains were found on October 20, 2021, at the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in Florida, where the FBI said he died by suicide.
Investigators also found a backpack, notebook, and revolver in the area.
"A review of the notebook revealed written statements by Mr. Laundrie claiming responsibility for Ms. Petito’s death," the FBI said.
FAMILY STATEMENT
It was also confirmed on Friday that Laundrie's parents will not be charged in Gabby's murder.
Roberta and Chris Laundrie had been criticized by Gabby's family for failing to assist in the FBI's investigation into her disappearance.
In response to the FBI's latest update, the Laundrie family attorney Steven Bertolino said: "Gabby and Brian are no longer with their families and this tragedy has caused enormous emotional pain and suffering to all who loved either or both of them.
"We can only hope that with today's closure of the case each family can begin to heal and move forward and find peace in and with the memories of their children. May Gabby and Brian both rest in peace."
In a statement before the FBI update, Gabby's family attorney said: "We truly appreciate the FBI’s diligent and painstaking efforts in this extremely complicated case.
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"The quality and quantity of the facts and information collected by the FBI leave no doubt that Brian Laundrie murdered Gabby."
With the Gabby Petito case closing, the public is now hoping the notebook will shed some light on the couple's final weeks together.
Gabby Petito timeline
Gabby Petito, 22, was last seen on August 24, leaving a hotel in Utah. Here is a timeline of Gabby Petito's disappearance:
- June 2021 - Gabby Petito and her fiancé Brian Laundrie set off on a cross-country trip across the US.
- July 4 - Gabby posts photos of herself barefoot in Gove County, Kansas.
- July 8 - Gabby posts photos of herself at the Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado.
- July 18 - Gabby and Brian post photos of themselves at Utah's Zion National Park.
- August 12 - Body camera footage was released in September showing an encounter Brian and Gabby had with police in Utah. Police confirmed that no significant injuries were reported.
- August 19 - Gabby and Brian post a video on their YouTube channel chronicling their trip.
- August 24 - Gabby is spotted leaving a hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah.
- August 25 - Gabby Facetimes her mom, Nichole Schmidt, for the final time. In a later police report, Schmidt said her conversations with her daughter revealed "more and more tension" between her and Brian.
- August 25 - Gabby also posts her last Instagram. No location is given.
- August 27 - Gabby is seen for what's believed to be the final time. Witnesses claim they saw Brian in an explosive argument with staff at a restaurant in Jackson Hole, leaving Gabby in tears.
- August 27 - Four hours later, travel bloggers driving through Grand Teton National Park drive past the couple's van "abandoned" on a dirt road.
- September 1 - Brian returns home to Florida without Gabby.
- September 11 - Gabby's parents report her missing to Suffolk County police.
- September 14 - Brian's family issues a statement saying he has retained an attorney and will not be cooperating with investigators.
- September 14 - Brian is allegedly last seen by his family. He reportedly told them he was going hiking in Cartlon Reserve but failed to return.
- September 15 - Florida's North Port police announce Brian is a person of interest in the case. He is not charged with any crime.
- September 16 - Utah police release body camera footage of the police encounter with Brian and Gabby.
- September 17 - Brian's parents say they have not seen their son in a couple of days and report him missing.
- September 18 - Police announce they were searching Carlton Reserve in Florida for Brian. Police announce they have not found anything.
- September 19 - Authorities in Wyoming say they found a body in Grand Teton National Park. The FBI announces the body was believed to be Gabby's but a full forensic identification needs to be completed first to confirm.
- September 20 - Police execute a search warrant on Laundrie's home, seizing his silver Mustang and a hard drive that may contain "evidence relevant to proving that a felony has been committed."
- September 21 - Officials announce they will be conducting an autopsy on the remains found in Wyoming to confirm whether or not they belong to Gabby. Police also resumed their search for Laundrie, this time on the Venice side of Carlton Reserve.
- September 21 - The FBI announced the body found in Wyoming was identified as Gabby's. The cause of death was not yet revealed.
- September 21 - The Teton County Coroner's office said Gabby's official cause of death was still pending but the initial manner of death is homicide.
- September 22 - Police continue to scour Carlton Reserve for a trace of Laundrie but yield no leads. A specialist dive team is called in to assist with the hunt.
- September 23 - Officials announced a federal arrest warrant for Brian was issued.
- September 26 - Gabby's funeral was held on Long Island, New York.
- October 12: Gabby's autopsy results were made public. Teton County Coroner Dr Brent Blue confirmed Gabby died by strangulation.
- October 20: Laundrie's personal items were found at the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park. A medical examiner was called to the scene.
- October 21: The FBI confirmed the remains found have been identified as Laundrie's.
- November 23: Laundrie's autopsy reveals he died from a gunshot wound to the head
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