Authorities find body matching Petito's description

WYOMING – The Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed in a press conference outside Jackson on Sept. 19 that a search of Bridger-Teton National Forest found human remains consistent with that of missing person Gabby Petito.

A body was found in the vicinity around Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area, which will continue to remain closed to the public until further notice. The case remains an active investigation and information regarding anyone who utilized Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area between Aug. 27 and 30 is requested by law enforcement officials.

Law enforcement rangers in Grand Teton National Park are working with the Investigative Services Branch of the National Park Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Teton County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson Police Department and other law enforcement agencies to investigate the disappearance of Gabby Petito, who was believed to have been in Grand Teton National Park at the time of her last contact with family.

Petito and her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, documented much of their trip on social media. They were in Grand Teton National Park when Petito’s posts abruptly stopped.

Laundrie returned to their home in Florida with Petito’s vehicle on Sept. 1, about 10 days before her family reported her missing. Police in North Port, Florida, have impounded the vehicle for clues and listed Laundrie as a person of interest.

On their journey to Oregon, which the couple documented in only one 8-minute video on the YouTube channel Nomadic Statik, the couple laid out their plans.

Then, on Aug. 12, Moab City police officers pulled the couple’s van over near the entrance to Arches National Park after a witness called 911 to say they saw the couple fighting over the phone. A police report said the two fought over a phone and then Petito hit Laundrie in the arm before trying to climb through the driver’s side window. Petito told officers she was struggling with her mental health.

Officers recommended they spend the night apart but didn’t file any charges.

The story gained national attention, which now focuses onto Laundrie, who is believed to be hiding in a wildlife refuge in Florida.