Gabby Petito death ruled result of strangulation
Case considered a homicide
by Pinedale Online!
October 12, 2021
The Teton County, Wyoming Coroner’s office in Jackson, Wyoming held a Zoom virtual press conference on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 to release the results of the autopsy report on Gabby Petito. Teton County Coroner, Dr. Brent Blue, said in the news conference the cause of death was the result of strangulation.
"We hereby find the cause and manner of death to be, the cause, death by strangulation, and manner is homicide," Blue said. "By Wyoming state statute, no other information will be released about the autopsy."
Petito was traveling with her boyfriend across country when she was reported missing by her family in mid-September, initiating a huge search for her whereabouts. The 22-year old woman’s body was found in September near an undeveloped camping area on the Bridger-Teton National Forest north of Jackson, along the border of Grand Teton National Park. The Coroner’s office had released a determination earlier classifying the death as a homicide, but had not disclosed how she was killed.
In response to questions from reporters, Blue said her remains were outside for three to four weeks. She was last known to have been seen alive in public on Aug. 27. Her body was found on September 13th. Blue also confirmed that Petito was not pregnant.
Petito's boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, is considered a person of interest in her disappearance. The couple reportedly embarked on a cross-country journey in June with plans to visit national parks along the way. He returned alone to his parent’s home in Florida on September 1st, where the couple had been living. Petito’s mother reported her missing on September 11th. Laundrie vanished as the story of Petito’s disappearance unfolded and widespread national media attention grew. He has not been seen since September 13th and remains unaccounted for.
The FBI’s Denver Field Office is leading the investigation into the woman’s death.
Click on this link to watch the October 12th news conference: Gabby Petito Autopsy Ruling: Teton County Press Conference WFLA News Channel, YouTube, October 12, 2021
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