NORTH PORT, Fla. — The Federal Bureau of Investigation has confirmed that remains found Sunday in a Wyoming park are those of 22-year-old Gabrielle Petito.


What You Need To Know


In a Twitter post, the FBI office in Denver said: "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."

In the same Twitter thread, the agency "thanks the public for their continuing support of this investigation & the valuable tips that have been submitted. We extend sincere condolences to Gabby’s family, friends, and all the people whose lives she touched."

The FBI reminds residents that tips on the case are still being accepted online or by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI.

 

Meanwhile, the search for Petito's boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, has shifted to the Venice side of the Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County. He remains a person of interest in the case. Tuesday night, search efforts concluded but officials said the plan was to return Wednesday.

The Laundrie family attorney, contacted after the Gabrielle Petito news was confirmed Tuesday, said: "May Gabby rest in peace." 

Crews spent the weekend searching for any signs of Laundrie in the vast, 24,000-acre reserve. There have been no signs of him. 

Gov. Ron DeSantis said he has been in touch with North Port Police about the investigation.

"I have directed all state agencies under my purview to continue to assist federal & local law enforcement as they continue to search — we need justice for Gabby Petito," he posted on Twitter.

On Tuesday, the Laundrie family's New York-based attorney was scheduled to make a statement, but after talking to the family, that was canceled.

The FBI wrapped up the search warrant Monday night.

The agency said just before 6:30 p.m. Monday that the search of the home had "concluded" but its post on Twitter didn't state if authorities would return. The tweet said: "The #FBI search at the Laundrie residence in North Port has concluded. No further details since this is an ongoing investigation. We continue to ask for the public’s assistance in the #GabbyPetito investigation. 1-800-CALL FBI or http://tips.fbi.gov"

However, authorities are looking into more about that altercation between the couple from a 911 call that authorities just released.

In it, a caller can be heard describing what they saw:

Caller: we drove by and the gentleman was slapping the girl.

Dispatcher: he was slapping her?

Caller: yes, and then we stopped, they ran up and down the sidewalk, he proceeded to hit her, hopped in the car, and they drove off

This call contradicts what the couple told officers who responded in body cam video.

In it, Petito said she was upset with Brian and hit him. Police ended up just separating the two to give them time to cool off.

Fast forward to now, the FBI spent most of Monday searching the home of Laundrie's parents', where the couple lived prior to their trip.

Investigators towed a silver Mustang, which is the car they say he drove to Carlton Reserve last Tuesday, and that's the last time he was seen.

They also took boxes and bags of evidence.

The FBI says it completed its search of the home, and authorities say they will not be releasing any more details at this time.