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Coroner to hold news conference on Gabby Petito autopsy
Oct 11, 2021, 8:53 PM | Updated: Oct 12, 2021, 12:06 pm
Pictures of Gabby Petito and her boyfriend/fiance before her disappearance
JACKSON, Wyo. — The coroner of Teton County, Wyoming said he will hold a news conference Tuesday to discuss findings in the autopsy of Gabby Petito.
The missing social media influencer and van lifer was found dead near Grand Teton National Park last month. Shortly afterward, Teton County Coroner Dr. Brent Blue confirmed the remains as belonging to Petito and said she died as a result of homicide.
However, we will not know how Gabby Petito died until full autopsy results become available.
What we may learn from Gabby Petito autopsy report
Blue said he would hold a news conference Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. mountain time via Zoom. You can listen to live coverage on KSL NewsRadio at 102.7 FM and 1160 AM or download the app to stream live coverage.
While authorities have already said the body found Sept. 19 in the Bridger-Teton National Forest is Gabby Petito, full forensic results remain pending. Results of the autopsy should confirm conclusively the identity of the remains.
Under Wyoming law, a county coroner investigates any “sudden or unattended deaths,” which can include accidents, murders and suicides. Coroners perform autopsies to determine cause and manner of such deaths.
According to the Teton County Coroner’s website, a final report can take two to three weeks to complete, depending on other factors such as whether the coroner orders an inquest.
The case so far
Family members reported Gabby Petito missing on Sept. 11, 2021 after not hearing from her for more than a week. Police named Brian Laundrie, her boyfriend and cross-country travel companion, a person of interest in her disappearance.
The couple launched their road trip to the west coast in June, intending to visit a number of state and national parks along the way. COLD podcast host Dave Cawley detailed some of Petito’s plans after he uncovered her account on the campsite planning app The Dyrt.
After Petito disappeared, Moab, Utah police confirmed they encountered Petito and Laundrie while responding to an emergency call about a possible domestic violence situation. A bystander told investigators he witnessed Laundrie striking Petito on the street in Moab. They stopped the couple just inside Arches National Park. Ultimately, police talked them into taking a one-night break to cool off.
Read more:
- Moab police describe fight between woman — now missing — and boyfriend
- 911 call that prompted interaction with Gabby Petito released
- Moab plans to investigate police interaction with Gabby Petito, fiancé
- Law enforcement expert worries Moab’s investigation into Petito incident may be too narrow
Another witness reported encountering Petito and Laundrie at a Wyoming restaurant. That woman detailed on Instagram seeing Petito crying as Laundrie loudly argued with the wait staff.
Petito’s family received its last text from her phone on Aug. 30. A family attorney and spokesperson says that message read, “No service in Yosemite.” The family does not believe Petito sent the message.
Brian Laundrie returned home to Florida in the couple’s white van on Sept. 1, without Gabby Petito. His whereabouts remain unknown.
