North Port, Florida – Documents released by the FBI shed new light on the tragic murder of Gabby Petito, revealing a heartbreaking letter she wrote to her abusive boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, before he took her life. The handwritten letter, part of over 350 pages of documents disclosed by the FBI, begged Laundrie to stop calling her names, emphasizing that they were supposed to be a team. The exact date of the letter was not specified.
Petito, who was just 22 years old at the time of her death, was killed by Laundrie during a cross-country trip that she vividly documented on social media platforms. Following her disappearance, Laundrie returned to Florida alone, sparking a widespread search for Petito that gripped the nation.
Tragically, Petito’s remains were discovered in Wyoming’s Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area in September of that year. The harrowing discovery came after an August incident in Moab, Utah, where police responded to an altercation between the couple. This event, now deemed a missed opportunity for intervention in a potential domestic violence situation, marked the last known contact with Petito.
In a shocking turn of events, Laundrie later died by suicide and confessed in written statements found near his body that he was responsible for Petito’s death. The medical examiner ruled his cause of death as a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Further details from the FBI files include evidence logs and witness sightings of Petito in Utah gas stations.
Moreover, Petito’s disappearance brought to light a concerning disparity in media coverage of missing persons cases, with her parents now advocating for increased attention to other missing individuals. Expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support they received, they aim to pay it forward by raising awareness for those still missing.
As the Petito family seeks to shine a light on other missing persons cases, they are actively engaging the public through their website, urging for more resources and accountability in search efforts. With a hope to inspire empathy and action for all missing individuals, the family is determined to honor Gabby’s memory by helping others find their loved ones.