BREAKING NOW: Coroner Confirms Remains Found Are Gabby Petito, Manner Of Death Homicide

Coroner Blue’s initial determination for the manner of death is homicide.

The FBI Denver announced Tuesday that the Teton County Coroner Dr. Brent Blue confirmed the remains are those of Gabrielle Venora Petito, date of birth March 19, 1999. Coroner Blue’s initial determination for the manner of death is homicide. The cause of death remains pending final autopsy results.

“The FBI’s commitment to justice is at the forefront of each and every investigation,” FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge, Michael Schneider said. “The FBI and our partners remain dedicated to ensuring anyone responsible for or complicit in Ms. Petito’s death is held accountable for their actions.”

“Mr. Brian Laudrie has been named a person of interest. Anyone with information concerning Mr. Laundrie’s role in this matter or his current whereabouts should contact the FBI.”

A lawyer for the Petito family made a brief statement on the family’s behalf on Tuesday.

“I want to personally thank the press and news media for giving the Petito and Schmidt family time to grieve,” lawyer Richard Stafford said, referring also to Gabby’s stepdad and stepmother. “We will be making a statement when Gabby is home. I will contact you to arrange a time and location.”

Gabby Petito
Instagram

As CrimeOnline previously reported, Petito and her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, embarked on a cross-country road trip this summer, but Laundrie returned home to Florida without her.

Last week, Laundrie disappeared from his parents’ home in North Port and remains unaccounted for. Laundrie’s parents told police he left last Tuesday to go hiking at Carlton Reserve, a 25,000-acre park with sprawling and difficult-to-navigate terrain.

“A weekend ground search and aerial search Monday of the 25-thousand-acre preserve has yet to yield any answers, but we must press on,” North Port Police posted on Facebook.

Anyone with information on Laundrie’s whereabouts should contact the FBI at: tips.fbi.gov, call 1-800-CALL-FBI, or 303-629-7171. Upload photos and videos to: fbi.gov/petito.

The FBI specifically asked that anyone in the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area between August 27 and August 30 who may have seen Gabby Petito or Brian Laundrie or their van to contact authorities.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated