Breaking News:

Boyfriend named person of interest in disappearance of van lifer Gabby Petito

Sep 15, 2021, 9:58 AM | Updated: 6:07 pm

missing Utah gabby petito and brian laundrie...

Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie, as seen in a video posted to their YouTube channel. This is a screen grab of them speaking about their trip to Utah. A Moab investigation has been launched in the city's handling of Petito and Laundrie.

Police in North Port, Florida officially named Brian Laundrie, 23, as a person of interest in the disappearance of his girlfriend, 22-year-old Gabby Petito, on Wednesday.

Tune to KSL NewsRadio for breaking news developments on this story

In a statement posted to Twitter, North Port police wrote that Laundrie has “not made himself available to be interviewed by investigators” or provided any helpful details. 

Petito has not been heard from since late August, as she and Laundrie were traveling in the area of Teton Village, Wyoming. Their prior travels had taken them through Utah’s national parks in a 2012 Ford Transit van.

Boyfriend returned to Florida without Gabby Petito

Police said in their statement that Laundrie returned to North Port, where he and Petito lived with Laundrie’s parents, on Sept. 1, 2021. Petito’s parents did not learn she was missing until 10 days later, on Sept. 11. North Port police said they had no information that a crime had occurred in their jurisdiction.

“The lack of information from Brian is hindering this investigation,” North Port police chief Todd Garrison said in the statement. “The answers will eventually come out. We will help find Gabby and we will help find anyone who may be involved in her disappearance.”

 

During a late-morning press conference, North Port police spokesman Josh Taylor said investigators are operating on the assumption Petito is alive.

“We have to do that for ourselves, but more importantly for the family,” Taylor said. We want them to understand that if she’s out there, we’re doing everything in our power to bring her home but obviously we have a role to plan for the worst.”

Taylor said Laundrie has only provided them the name and phone number of his lawyer in New York.

Laundrie’s attorney explains his silence, Petito’s mother lashes out

On Wenesday, Laundrie’s family attorney, Steven Bertolino reiterated why he told Laundrie not to speak to investigators.  He issued a statement saying Laundrie being named a person of interest doesn’t change the fact that his client will remain the focus of the investigation.  Yahoo! News quotes the statement as saying, “Mr. Laundrie will continue to remain silent on the advice of counsel.”  The statement reads…

“In my experience, intimate partners are often the first person law enforcement focuses their attention on in cases like this and the warning that ‘any statement made will be used against you’ is true, regardless of whether my client had anything to do with Ms. Petito’s disappearance.”

Petito’s mother,  Nicole Schmidt, released another scathing statement on Wednesday about Laundrie and his refusal to help investigators.  She aimed her works directly at Laundrie, saying he was selfishly sitting in the comfort of his own home while her daughter was left alone in the wilderness.  It reads, in part…

“Brian, how could you do this to Gabby?  You selfishly remain silent while Gabby is all alone in the wilderness.

“Brian, you silence is reprehensible!  We beg you to do the right thing and help us bring Gabby home.”

Contact with Moab Police

Also on Tuesday night, police in Moab, Utah confirmed to KSL they were contacted on August 12, 2021 regarding an “incident” involving Laundrie and Petito which was reported by a third party.

“Officers conducted an investigation and determined that insufficient evidence existed to justify criminal charges,” Moab police chief Bret Edge said in an email.

KSL is seeking a copy of the police report from the August 12 incident via Utah’s open records law. North Port police said in their press conference they hoped to obtain the same report from Moab police on Wednesday.

In a related event, Petito’s Instagram briefly went offline on Wednesday morning. A Facebook company spokesperson later confirmed the account was removed in error and has since been reinstated.

The FBI has established a hotline and is actively seeking tips in the Petito case. The hotline number is 1-800-CALL FBI (225-5324).

 

Contributing: Paul Nelson

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Utah lawmakers are considering a measure to boost funds for schools to help them deal with students...

Tim Vandenack, KSL.com

Utah bill promises more funding for schools teaching English as a second language

As Utah lawmakers weigh whether to allocate more money to help Utah schools contend with increasing numbers of English-language learners, state data shows 13 districts and a charter school would potentially qualify for the funding.

29 minutes ago

Layton City Fire Department warns the public about slippery roads on Saturday....

Kennedy Camarena

Car accidents pile up over the weekend

The snowy weather on Presidents' Day Weekend has led to numerous accidents across Utah.

2 hours ago

Three years since it was completed, Amazon is reportedly going to start package delivery operations...

Tim Vandenack, KSL.com

Amazon may start distribution operations at Marriott-Slaterville facility this year

A vacant 3-year-old facility meant to be an Amazon distribution center is in the process of getting upgrades so it can finally enter into operation.

4 hours ago

Snowmobilers stand in avalanche debris....

Erin Cox, KSL TV

Snowmobiler who survived 3 avalanches warns of backcountry danger

Avalanche conditions are very dangerous over Presidents' Day weekend as snow continues to fall. Forecasters with the Utah Avalanche Center issued warnings for much of the state about heading into the backcountry.

6 hours ago

Passengers jostle with each other to board a train at the New Delhi Railway station, in New Delhi, ...

Associated Press

Stampede kills 15 people at New Delhi train station, Indian official says

At least 15 people were killed in a stampede at a railway station in India’s capital of New Delhi, an official said Sunday.

7 hours ago

The Living Planet Aquarium announced Saturday morning that their clouded leopard had passed away....

Alton Barnhart

The Living Planet Aquarium leopard died by onset diabetes

The Living Planet Aquarium announced on Saturday that its clouded leopard died of sudden-onset diabetes.

9 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Filing taxes online using a computer...

The Law Offices of Jordan F. Wilcox

Tax time is approaching. What to do if you have debilitating IRS debt

Is the IRS threatening you with wage garnishment, asset seizure or business closure? Here are some ideas to resolve your tax dilemma.

Full speed through the snow. A man on skis is pulled by his through the snow at full gallop Skijori...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for an unforgettable skijoring adventure in Bear Lake!

“Skijoring the Bear” takes place this year on February 21-22 in Garden City, Utah.

the bedroom in a geodesic dome shows the night sky...

Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon

Your front row to an extraordinary cosmos show

As America's first glass dome stargazing resort, Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon is one of the world’s most unique and spectacular places to stay.

2 people huddled up in a blanket and warm clothes sipping hot chocolate...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best ways to spend your Christmas vacation in Bear Lake

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, Bear Lake should definitely be on your radar. Read this guide for more!

big crowd of people under holiday lights in an outdoor market...

Western Nut

Our favorite family Christmas activities in Utah

We gathered up a list of our favorite activities, movies, and treats to try this holiday season that the whole family can enjoy.

an IT tech looks at a laptop in front of a server network...

Comcast Business

Tips to protect yourself from phishing attacks

Check out this resource from Comcast Business to learn more about phishing attacks and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of one.

Boyfriend named person of interest in disappearance of van lifer Gabby Petito