FBI: Brian Laundrie confessed to Gabby Petito’s murder in notebook

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(Gray News) - The Federal Bureau of Investigation announced Friday it is wrapping up its investigation into the Gabby Petito murder case, revealing a notebook found near prime suspect Brian Laundrie’s remains included a confession to her killing.

“All logical investigative steps have been concluded in this case. The investigation did not identify any other individuals other than Brian Laundrie directly involved in the tragic death of Gabby Petito,” read a statement from the FBI’s Denver field office.

The FBI first began investigating Petito’s disappearance on Sept. 12 after receiving reports from her family that she had gone missing in an area near the Grand Teton National Park.

Petito’s remains were found on Sept. 19, in an area where she and her boyfriend Laundrie had been seen together.

A coroner’s report determined she died of blunt-force injuries and strangulation.

The investigation then turned to the last person believed to see her alive - Laundrie.

A detailed timeline revealed by the FBI shows Laundrie used Petito’s debit card on his trip back to Florida from Wyoming. There were also several text messages sent between Laundrie and Petito’s phone after her death, in what the FBI says was an attempt to give the impression that Petito was still alive.

Laundrie’s parents reported him missing on Sept. 17. His vehicle was found a couple days earlier, but there was no sign of Laundrie.

About a month later, Laundrie’s remains were found in the same area, along with a backpack, notebook and a revolver. The FBI says the notebook contained written statements by Laundrie claiming responsibility for Petito’s death.

The FBI says the exact area where the remains were found was submerged by water when they searched earlier.

A coroner determined Laundrie died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Laundrie family attorney Steven Bertolino released the following statement:

“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.”

Brian Laundrie claims responsibility for killing Gabby Petito in notebook: FBI

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The FBI on Friday released new details in the investigation of Gabby Petito’s death, saying that that Brian Laundrie wrote in a notebook that he killed her.The FBI’s Denver office had sent out a timeline of the investigation, saying that before discovering Laundrie’s remains in a Florida wetland in October, agents had discovered a backpack, a gun and a notebook that all belonged to him.“A review of the notebook revealed written statements by Mr. Laundrie claiming responsibility for Ms. Petito’s death,” the FBI said in a statement.The agency said Petito’s family met with agents as the case into the 22-year-old’s disappearance and death soon will be closed.“All logical investigative steps have been concluded in this case,” Michael Schneider, FBI Denver Division special agent in charge, said in a statement. “The investigation did not identify any other individuals other than Brian Laundrie directly involved in the tragic death of Gabby Petito.“Steven Bertolino, an attorney representing the Laundrie family, released a statement Friday expressing condolences for both families.“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,” he said in a statement.Petito went on a road trip with Laundrie, her boyfriend, through Colorado and Utah from July to August.Utah Police said officers responded to a 911 call in August where the caller claimed he saw Laundrie slap Petito, and police stopped the couple for questioning on the side of the road. They were allowed to continue their trip because of “insufficient evidence” of any wrongdoing, police said.Petito went missing around Aug. 27 and Laundrie returned home to Florida on Sept. 1, investigators said.Two weeks later, he was named a person of interest in Petito’s disappearance, but Laundrie was reported missing Sept. 17.On Sept. 19, search crews discovered a body in Bridger-Teton National Park in Wyoming later revealed to be Petito’s. An autopsy determined she died from strangulation Search crews combed the Florida wetlands where Laundrie was last seen, and on Oct. 20 found his remains in Carlton Reserve, near North Port.

Brian Laundrie Confessed to Killing Gabby Petito in Journal Entry Before His Death, FBI Reveals

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Brian Laundrie was solely responsible for the death of Gabby Petito, the FBI announced on Friday.

Federal investigators concluded that the probe surrounding Petito’s death “did not identify any other individuals other than Brian Laundrie directly involved in the tragic death of Gabby Petito.” According to the FBI, the agency made the determination after discovering a journal entry in which Laundrie took “responsibility” for the death of his girlfriend.

Following the discovery of human remains that were later confirmed to be that of Laundrie’s, the FBI said further search of the area on Oct. 20 also turned up a backpack, a notebook and a gun. “A review of the notebook revealed written statements by Mr. Laundrie claiming responsibility for Ms. Petito’s death,” the FBI said in a statement.

The agency also said Petito’s family met with the FBI in its Tampa, Florida, field office on Thursday, adding that the case into Petito’s disappearance and death will soon be closed.

“All logical investigative steps have been concluded in this case,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider, who on behalf of the FBI, also expressed “my deepest appreciation to the public for the thousands of tips that were provided during the investigation, and to our local, state and federal law enforcement partners for their work throughout the investigation.”

The latest, and final, development in the Petito case comes nearly two months after Laundrie’s cause of death – a gunshot wound to the head – was revealed by the Laundrie family attorney, Steven Bertolino. The manner of death was ruled a suicide. His body was found in Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in North Port, Florida. Laundrie’s dental records helped the FBI confirm the remains they found were those of Laundrie.

About a week before authorities found Laundrie’s remains in October, a Wyoming coroner revealed Petito’s cause of death was determined to be from strangulation. The manner of the death was ruled a homicide. At that time, there was a manhunt well underway to find Laundrie, who had gone missing shortly after Petito was reported missing.

Petito was an influencer who documented her and Laundrie’s cross-country trek on social media. Her disappearance drew national headlines after Laundrie returned to his parents’ Florida home with Petito’s van but without her.

FBI reveals what Brian Laundrie said in his notebook about Gabby Petito

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The FBI says Brian Laundrie claimed responsibility for killing Gabby Petito in a notebook before taking his own life.

FBI says Brian Laundrie admitted to killing Gabby Petito in notebook recovered with his remains

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NORTH PORT – The Federal Bureau of Investigation is closing the books on the Gabby Petito case after agents reviewed a notebook where Brian Laundrie claimed responsibility for her death and further investigation found no one else involved.

“All logical investigative steps have been concluded in this case,” FBI Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider said in a prepared statement released Friday. “The investigation did not identify any other individuals other than Brian Laundrie directly involved in the tragic death of Gabby Petito.”

The notebook was found with Laundrie’s skeletal remains on Oct. 20 after floodwaters in the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park receded.

Along with the notebook, investigators found a backpack and revolver.

By the way:Gabby Petito case reveals stark disparities in coverage of missing people

Earlier: NBC’s Gabby Petito documentary shares intimate moments with her parents

Brian Laundrie died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound

According to the FBI, “A review of the notebook revealed written statements by Mr. Laundrie claiming responsibility for Ms. Petito’s death.”

On Nov. 23, the District 12 Medical Examiner’s Office concluded Laundrie died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

North Port Police, which was heavily involved in aiding the FBI in its search for Laundrie in Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park and the T. Mabry Carlton Jr. Memorial Reserve, released a statement via Twitter on Friday.

“The North Port Police Department has been briefed by the FBI on the soon-to-be closing of their investigation into the Gabby Petito/Brian Laundrie case,” the agency said in the tweet, which was released by North Port spokesman Josh Taylor. “We are thankful for the collaboration with the many agencies involved.

“The dedicated men and women who serve the North Port community have worked tirelessly to help provide answers in this case,” the statement continued. “We hope that all the efforts will provide some closure for all of those impacted by this tragic event.

“There will be no further comment at this time.”

Previous coverage:North Port police chief defends agency performance in Gabby Petito, Brian Laundrie case

More:Criminologists still back North Port Police Department’s handling of Brian Laundrie case

Gabby Petito’s cause of death

Petito was reported missing by her family on Sept. 12, and the FBI, along with federal, state and local officials searched the Grand Teton National Park and the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

By then, Laundrie was already back home with his family in North Port.

Her remains were found seven days later at the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area, which was near where they had been last seen.

The Teton County Coroner’s Office found Petito died of “blunt-force injuries to the head and neck, with manual strangulation.”

The search for Petito, and later the search for Laundrie, drew international attention. The two had been driving the country, documenting their travels on YouTube.

After her death, North Port residents mourned Petitos loss with a makeshift memorial at the North Port City Center Green.

“The FBI’s primary focus throughout the investigation was to bring justice to Gabby and her family,” said Schneider, the FBI agent. “The public’s role in helping us in this endeavor was invaluable as the investigation was covered in the media around the world.

“On behalf of the FBI, I want to express my deepest appreciation to the public for the thousands of tips that were provided during the investigation, and to our local, state and federal law enforcement partners for their work throughout the investigation.”

Related: Butterfly release and candlelight vigil for Gabby Petito

And: Petito’s father calls for mourners to not be sad

Earle Kimel primarily covers south Sarasota County for the Herald-Tribune and can be reached at earle.kimel@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism with a digital subscription to the Herald-Tribune.