As Florida Medical Examiners confirmed that they concluded their investigation into the death of Petito’s fiancé and the prime suspect in her death: Brian Laundrie, the tragedy, and mystery surrounding the death of Gabby Petito is no closer to a resolution today. Mr. Laundrie’s skeletal remains were found in a Florida swamp having been partly decomposed and subjected to the wildlife in the area. The examiners’ revelations that Laundrie, identified by forensic dental reconstruction, died from a single gunshot wound to the head has rocked the investigation. The wound appeared self-inflicted and his death has been ruled a suicide. This confirmation ends the massive manhunt which followed the location of Petito’s body in Wyoming where law enforcement determined she was murdered though strangulation.
“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,” the family’s attorney, Steven Bertolino said Tuesday, according to WFLA-TV. “Chris and Roberta are still mourning the loss of their son and are hopeful that these findings bring closure to both families.”
“The Schmidt and Petito family has been aware of the circumstances surrounding the suicide of the sole suspect in Gabby’s murder,” attorney Richard Stafford said in the statement. Petito’s mother is Nicole Schmidt.
“Gabby’s family will not be making a statement at this time due to the request of the United States Attorney’s Office and the Teton County Prosecutor’s Office,” Stafford said. “The family was asked to not make any comments and let the FBI continue their investigation.”
“The family was also asked to wait for the United States Attorney’s Office to make a determination on whether any additional individuals will be charged,”
A New Mystery Follows Brian Laundrie Revelations
Reports from Western Journal and Insider that followed the announcement set the stage for a whole new mystery, setting aside the moment: who killed Gabby Petito, now the world is asking: Who killed Brian Laundrie? Bertolino told the press that after the Laundrie family officially reported Brian missing on September 17th they surrendered five or six guns… but one of them was missing.
According to Insider,
“It’s unclear whether the missing gun is the one Laundrie used to kill himself. It’s also unclear whether there was a gun among Laundrie’s belongings next to where he was found.
Laundrie’s family previously said they wouldn’t hold a funeral for their son.”
Legal speculation abounds as to what the Laundrie’s knew and when, with former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani telling Fox News that the Petito family’s statement could mean a lot in a potential case against the Laundries.
“Their son returned without his fiancée, and they didn’t report Gabby missing,” Rahmani said. “If they helped Brian escape law enforcement by giving him a head start, they can be charged with being accessories after the fact to murder.” He added that Laundrie’s parents could face charges if they lied to law enforcement.
However, one interesting development could make charges against the Laundries unlikely: they led investigators to him.
“Their eventually leading agents to Brian’s remains makes charges less likely, but what the Laundrie parents told law enforcement, and when, is key to any prosecution decision,”
