FBI: Brian Laundrie claimed responsibility for Gabby Petito's death in notebook

According to the FBI, the messages were sent by Laundrie as a way to deceive law enforcement into believing that Petito was still alive.

News 12 Staff

Jan 21, 2022, 10:38 PM

Updated 832 days ago

Share:

The FBI has released a final investigative update on the Gabby Petito case, saying that Brian Laundrie left behind a written confession.
They say the investigation "did not identify any other individuals other than Brian Laundrie directly involved in the tragic death of Gabby Petito."
The updates come four months after Petito first disappeared in mid-September while on a cross-country road trip with her fiancé, Laundrie.
The Blue Point native's remains were found on Sept. 19 in Wyoming. The FBI says she was strangled and suffered blunt force trauma to the head and neck.
The FBI also announced Friday that text messages were sent between Laundrie and Petito's phones after Petito was already dead. According to the FBI, the messages were sent by Laundrie as a way to deceive law enforcement into believing that Petito was still alive.
Laundrie's remains were found in October in Florida near his family's home. He had died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The FBI found a backpack and a notebook belonging to Laundrie near his skeletal remains.
They say the notebook contained written statements by Laundrie claiming responsibility for Petito's death.
Ralph Cilento who works with John Jay College of Criminal Justice says the notebook confession brings the investigation to a conclusion that makes sense.
"What the notebook does is, No. 1 it rules out any other suspects as far as the FBI is concerned," Cilento says. "And it affirms to them what they had suspected all the time based on the evidence that they had."
Petito's family attorney Richard B. Stafford released a statement Friday, saying "The quality and quantity of the facts and information collected by the FBI leave no doubt that Brian Laundrie murdered Gabby."
News 12 reached out to Laundrie's family attorney, but he refused to comment.
Both the Laundrie and Petito families are working to retrieve items that belonged to their children and are currently in the FBI's possession.


More from News 12
2:19
Campus police on standby following pro-Palestinian protest arrests at Stony Brook University

Campus police on standby following pro-Palestinian protest arrests at Stony Brook University

1:27
Temps below average for the weekend with possible showers

Temps below average for the weekend with possible showers

0:36
Police: Farmingdale woman scammed Texas man out of $9,000 with fake lotto scheme

Police: Farmingdale woman scammed Texas man out of $9,000 with fake lotto scheme

0:19
Man wanted for stealing package worth $6,000 from East Northport home

Man wanted for stealing package worth $6,000 from East Northport home

0:59
New York to raise minimum award for tuition assistance program, expand eligibility

New York to raise minimum award for tuition assistance program, expand eligibility

1:44
The Real Deal: Now may be the time for a job change

The Real Deal: Now may be the time for a job change

1:39
Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

0:33
Experts fear 'catastrophic' college declines thanks to botched FAFSA rollout

Experts fear 'catastrophic' college declines thanks to botched FAFSA rollout

10 organizations to donate to in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

10 organizations to donate to in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

2:32
Residents organize rally to demand cleanup of Bethpage Community Park

Residents organize rally to demand cleanup of Bethpage Community Park

2:11
Garden Guide: Is it safe to plant your summer garden?

Garden Guide: Is it safe to plant your summer garden?

1:29
Students at Wyandanch HS take part in 'Shark Tank' competition

Students at Wyandanch HS take part in 'Shark Tank' competition

0:44
Top LI basketball players compete in annual Alzheimer's All-Star Classic

Top LI basketball players compete in annual Alzheimer's All-Star Classic

1:03
Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

0:22
Police: Man stole over $1,200 worth of clothes from Ralph Lauren in Deer Park

Police: Man stole over $1,200 worth of clothes from Ralph Lauren in Deer Park

9 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

9 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

0:35
Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!