Found Deceased WY - Gabby Petito, Grand Teton National Park #87

[RANCH]

What I'd like to know is what BL was doing between the time he killed GP and the time he frantically called his parents. The Ps think he killed GP on the 27th (I think it could have been the 28th), but he was frantic one to two days later. I wonder how sure they are of events between those days and why it possibly took so long for him to call.

Personally, I think BL had long-standing mental health problems that his parents were likely familiar with, and didn't know how to deal with. I'm not condoning their actions, at all, but I'm curious if maybe they did what they did as their way to try to prevent exactly what ended up happening. They might regret it now, yes, but didn't know what to do at the time.

GP was deemed the aggressor in UT, so maybe BL played on that theme with his parents. We really have no idea. They acted on self-preservation for themselves and their son, followed legal advice, and probably just tried to keep BL contained. Jmo. I have empathy for them losing their son, but I also can understand how the Ps can look at the entire situation and find it repulsive toward them and their daughter.

Thank you for a well thought out post.

 

[MyBelle]

What I'd like to know is what BL was doing between the time he killed GP and the time he frantically called his parents. The Ps think he killed GP on the 27th (I think it could have been the 28th), but he was still frantic one to two days later. I wonder how sure they are of events between those days and why it possibly took so long for him to call.

Personally, I think BL had long-standing mental health problems that his parents were likely familiar with, and didn't know how to deal. I'm not condoning their actions, at all, but I'm curious if maybe they did what they did as their way to try to prevent exactly what ended up happening. They might regret it now, yes, but didn't know what to do at the time.

GP was deemed the aggressor in UT (by LE), so maybe BL played on that theme with his parents. We really have no idea. They acted on self-preservation for themselves and their son, followed legal advice, and probably just tried to keep BL contained. Jmo. I have sympathy for them losing their son, but I also can completely understand how the Ps can look at the entire situation and find it repulsive toward them and their daughter.

BBM. Sorry, I can't reach that conclusion. If that was remotely true, why did GP continue to be with BL to the point they were living in a van in the western part of the U.S.?

Both GP and BL were adults. To accuse his parents of being "repulsive" now is ridiculous. What did her parents do to try to persuade their daughter not to live with the Laundries? To not partake in the cross-country "van" experience? Nothing that I can find.

Yes, GP was deemed to be the aggressor in UT and I will never understand why LE came to that conclusion. But for her family to now blame his parents for his crimes is beyond ridiculous.

JMO

 

[HawthorneJuniper]

Completely agree. The petito family is doing great work in trying to make sure this doesn’t happen to another family. That’s mainly what this is about IMO. I was shocked to hear that the laundries couldn’t be charged with accessory to murder in Florida.

It’s also the only way for them to demand the information they want from the Laundries. To me that was the most important purpose. To me, they proved what was always obvious to many of us.

The simplest explanation. Why did the Laundries behave as they did? Because they were orchestrating a cover up long before anyone knew anything was amiss.

They are some cold hearted people. I have a son just engaged. She is treated like a daughter & has been since high school. So i know there’s no reasonable explanation for their behavior but an ongoing coverup.

 

[katydid23]

Neither do I, not for a nanosecond. At the very least, he got agreement about his plan to suicide. Because they carefully kept his exit from their home a secret, and carefully kept the location they knew he was going to do remove himself from this life. Presumably so that no one would interfere with good ole Bri's plans.

He certainly told his parents, and one can reasonably assume that he told them exactly where he was going to put the plan in to action, because that is where his own parents found him, after everyone else could not find him. So it is reasonable to assume that they were told where his dead body would be, which presupposes, without any doubt, that they were privy to his plan in some fine detail. How to, where to, why to.

So it is also reasonable to claim that the parents had INPUT into that decision.

It may have been the easiest way out for all of them.

 

[Trooper]

It may have been the easiest way out for all of them.

Hard to argue against that proposition!

 

[CrimeDawg123]

You know, if a loved-one called me in a panic, said they needed a lawyer and their partner was 'gone', I suppose it's possible that I wouldn't immediately comprehend what they were talking about. But the first words out of my mouth would be "What do you mean gone? Where did they go?" It might take me a few minutes to process, but the meaning would eventually sink in.

This may be another assumption on my part, but I think pretty much everyone would react the same. They wouldn't just assume 'gone' referred to leaving the home and not ask any followup questions.

Edit - Heh. Exactly like Carmela does in this classic Sopranos clip. (Some NSFW language.)

Exactly. If the Laundries didn't know what "gone" meant, it was because they didn't WANT to know what "gone" meant.

 

[ch_13]

ITA. Brian's parents reported him missing to LE.

He left a note that he regretted Gabby's death and he wanted to join her.

JMO

READ: Brian Laundrie’s notebook confession, message to Gabby Petito

An attorney for the Laundrie family released contents of Brian Laundrie’s notebook on Friday, including what appeared to be his confession and explanation for killing his fiancée Gabby Petito…

www.wfla.com

“When I pulled Gabby out of the water, she couldn’t tell me what hurt. She had a small [bump] on her forehead that [eventually] got larger. Her feet hurt, her [wrist] hurt but she was freezing, shaking violently. While carrying her she continually made sounds of pain. Laying next to her she said little, [lapsing] between violent shakes, gasping in pain, begging for an end to her pain. She would fall asleep and I would shake her awake, fearing she shouldn’t close her eyes if she had a concussion.”

“She would wake in pain, start her whole painful cycle again [illegible] furious that I was the one waking her. She wouldn’t let me try to cross the creek, thought like me that the fire would go out in her sleep and she’d freeze. I don’t know the extend of Gabby’s injuries, only that she was in extreme pain. I ended her life, I thought it was merciful, that it is what she wanted but I see now all the mistakes I made. I panicked, I was in shock. But from the moment I decided, took away her pain, I knew I couldn’t go on without her.”

“I rushed home to spend any time I had left with my family. I wanted to drive north and let James or TJ kill me but I wouldn’t want them to spend time in jail over my mistake, even though I’m sure they would have liked to. I am ending my life not because of a fear of punishment but rather because I can’t stand to live another day without her. I’ve lost our whole future together, every moment we could have [shared.] I’m sorry for everyone’s loss. Please do not make life harder for my family, they lost a son and a daughter. The most wonderful girl in the world. Gabby I’m sorry.”

“I have killed myself by this creek in the hopes that animals may tear me apart. That it may make some of her family happy.”
“Please pick up all of my things. Gabby hated people who litter.”

That suicide note is so full of ridiculous lies that I can't believe anyone would post it uncritically as if it's some kind of legitimate explanation of Brian's behavior.

It just reeks of his narcissism and is a transparent attempt to avoid taking responsibility for his actions.

 

[cnmccarthy]

Accurately put and unarguable as a position. ... . It is also my belief that not only was the 'withholding information, crucial to the life and death of Gabby Petito a facet of this suit, but the actual DISinformation, along with the misinformation and withholding of information.

The lawyer, Bertolinno, on the Laundrie's instructions, one must suppose, also sent that outrageous message to Gabby's family....''''Three days after she was reported missing, Bertolino issued a statement on behalf of the Laundries reading: “It is our hope that the search for Miss Petito is successful and that Miss Petito is reunited with her family.”

This is psycopathic levels of disinformation, designed to pervert the course of justice, to interfere with the search for Gabby, to defer and deflect all connections to Brian in her dreadful and lonely death. ... I mean, people... they knew she was dead, the knew where she died, they knew who killed her, they probably knew why he killed her, they knew where she could be found...but in a carefully calculated manner, this message was their idea of communication about a missing daughter.

Held accountable should be the least of it, all things considered.

Communities can't really thrive if this level of 'spanners being jammed in the spokes' of the justice bicycle go on, unremarked and unheralded.

If I could like this a million times I would. So true.

 

[wnk]

Okay thanks.

I do think that the evidence shows BL killed himself of his own volition. If I'm missing some evidence to the contrary please let me know.

JMO.

The position of the entry wound was unusual enough to raise the question. (LINK)

What I'd like to know is what BL was doing between the time he killed GP and the time he frantically called his parents. The Ps think he killed GP on the 27th (I think it could have been the 28th), but he was still frantic one to two days later. I wonder how sure they are of events between those days and why it possibly took so long for him to call.

Personally, I think BL had long-standing mental health problems that his parents were likely familiar with, and didn't know how to deal. I'm not condoning their actions, at all, but I'm curious if maybe they did what they did as their way to try to prevent exactly what ended up happening. They might regret it now, yes, but didn't know what to do at the time.

GP was deemed the aggressor in UT (by LE), so maybe BL played on that theme with his parents. We really have no idea. They acted on self-preservation for themselves and their son, followed legal advice, and probably just tried to keep BL contained. Jmo. I have sympathy for them losing their son, but I also can completely understand how the Ps can look at the entire situation and find it repulsive toward them and their daughter.

The timeline I believe fits best (now even more so, after this new information):

- Aug 27 - After being seen together at Merry Piglets, they park the van at Spread Creek (where the YouTubers saw it at 6pm) and set up camp
- Aug 28 - They camp at Spread Creek
- Aug 29 - According to hunters, the van was still at Spread Creek. Gabby had wanted to see her friend Rose for Rose's birthday (on the 29th), and after the recent events in Moab and Jackson, I suspect Brian was not on board with that. Perhaps they were still arguing. Perhaps she had bruises he didn't want anyone else to see. Perhaps he just wanted to isolate Gabby as long as he could. So he did what he'd initially done in Moab and took off without her. I suspect that he left her the van (having learned that lesson from Moab) but took the keys with him so she was stuck there, alone, with no cell phone signal. He spent the day hiking and eventually hitchhiked his way back toward the campground -BUT- knowing that Gabby was likely to be upset and not wanting any strangers to ask questions about why, he didn't let the woman who gave him a ride take him all the way to Spread Creek. When he got back, Gabby would have been (justifiably) upset about his desertion and about missing Rose's birthday, and THAT's when a fight ensued. It would line up perfectly with a frantic call back home and if Brian left the Tetons that evening, it'd place him getting back to Florida on the morning of the 1st, which aligns with the traffic cams there.

I do not believe BL would have stuck around Tetons for days after GP died, especially at the same campsite, with her body still lying right there, exposed to the elements. I believe he immediately went into "flight" mode and would want to get as far away as possible, which would place her TOD on the 29th.

 

[wnk]

Accurately put and unarguable as a position. ... . It is also my belief that not only was the 'withholding information, crucial to the life and death of Gabby Petito a facet of this suit, but the actual DISinformation, along with the misinformation and withholding of information.

The lawyer, Bertolinno, on the Laundrie's instructions, one must suppose, also sent that outrageous message to Gabby's family....''''Three days after she was reported missing, Bertolino issued a statement on behalf of the Laundries reading: “It is our hope that the search for Miss Petito is successful and that Miss Petito is reunited with her family.”

This is psycopathic levels of disinformation, designed to pervert the course of justice, to interfere with the search for Gabby, to defer and deflect all connections to Brian in her dreadful and lonely death. ... I mean, people... they knew she was dead, the knew where she died, they knew who killed her, they probably knew why he killed her, they knew where she could be found...but in a carefully calculated manner, this message was their idea of communication about a missing daughter.

Held accountable should be the least of it, all things considered.

Communities can't really thrive if this level of 'spanners being jammed in the spokes' of the justice bicycle go on, unremarked and unheralded.

VERY good point, and yes, I do think that statement is where they may have a leg to stand on legally, rather than just moral grounds (because knowing what they presumably knew, that statement is reprehensible.)

 

[GRT]

No not really, but I don't believe he made the decision all on his own. Jmo.

I've wondered about that, too.

His parents were pretty certain of where his body would be found.

 

[TL4S]

The position of the entry wound was unusual enough to raise the question. (LINK)


The timeline I believe fits best (now even more so, after this new information):

- Aug 27 - After being seen together at Merry Piglets, they park the van at Spread Creek (where the YouTubers saw it at 6pm) and set up camp
- Aug 28 - They camp at Spread Creek
- Aug 29 - According to hunters, the van was still at Spread Creek. Gabby had wanted to see her friend Rose for Rose's birthday (on the 29th), and after the recent events in Moab and Jackson, I suspect Brian was not on board with that. Perhaps they were still arguing. Perhaps she had bruises he didn't want anyone else to see. Perhaps he just wanted to isolate Gabby as long as he could. So he did what he'd initially done in Moab and took off without her. I suspect that he left her the van (having learned that lesson from Moab) but took the keys with him so she was stuck there, alone, with no cell phone signal. He spent the day hiking and eventually hitchhiked his way back toward the campground -BUT- knowing that Gabby was likely to be upset and not wanting any strangers to ask questions about why, he didn't let the woman who gave him a ride take him all the way to Spread Creek. When he got back, Gabby would have been (justifiably) upset about his desertion and about missing Rose's birthday, and THAT's when a fight ensued. It would line up perfectly with a frantic call back home and if Brian left the Tetons that evening, it'd place him getting back to Florida on the morning of the 1st, which aligns with the traffic cams there.

I do not believe BL would have stuck around Tetons for days after GP died, especially at the same campsite, with her body still lying right there, exposed to the elements. I believe he immediately went into "flight" mode and would want to get as far away as possible, which would place her TOD on the 29th.

Yes, I agree. I had forgotten over time the dates, but I think that's what I had concluded, too. Late on the 28th or early 29th, then take off, call home, etc. I wonder if the Ps have other evidence to show she died the 27th?

 

[Dhighsmith]

What I'd like to know is what BL was doing between the time he killed GP and the time he frantically called his parents. The Ps think he killed GP on the 27th (I think it could have been the 28th), but he was still frantic one to two days later. I wonder how sure they are of events between those days and why it possibly took so long for him to call.

Personally, I think BL had long-standing mental health problems that his parents were likely familiar with, and didn't know how to deal. I'm not condoning their actions, at all, but I'm curious if maybe they did what they did as their way to try to prevent exactly what ended up happening. They might regret it now, yes, but didn't know what to do at the time.

GP was deemed the aggressor in UT (by LE), so maybe BL played on that theme with his parents. We really have no idea. They acted on self-preservation for themselves and their son, followed legal advice, and probably just tried to keep BL contained. Jmo. I have sympathy for them losing their son, but I also can completely understand how the Ps can look at the entire situation and find it repulsive toward them and their daughter.

The challenge with this case is like so many others, we lack critical details needed for clarity in questionable behavior and actions.

 

[Cedars]

The challenge with this case is like so many others, we lack critical details needed for clarity in questionable behavior and actions.

Perhaps it is more that there are multiple sides to every story, and that humans are not god-like beings, capable of making unfailingly correct judgements about who are the angels and who are the demons among us?

 

[Skigirl]

I disagree. I don't think most people would be hiring a lawyer simply for using her credit cards or vehicle. The charges aren't as severe as murder. And "gone" implies permanency, not disappeared temporarily.

I agree with you. It simply is not plausible IMO that he said, "she's gone" and they thought she had merely walked away. Imagine telling your parents that your partner was "gone" and that you need a lawyer. What would come after that would not be a simple "OK," it would be 'GONE AND YOU NEED A LAWYER? IS SHE DEAD? WHAT HAPPENED? OMG!"

I can't suspend belief enough to even contemplate a reality in which they did not know that "she's gone, I need a lawyer" means "I murdered her". JMO.

 

[housewife]

It is inherent to parenthood to support one's offspring: regardless of what has happened in their life...

...This is done with or without knowing why. With or without approving of what happened.

Respectfully snipped by me.

*****Firstly, Gabby's abuse and murder didn't just "happen" in Brian's life. Brian caused her abuse and death. Full stop.******

Secondly, a parent's job is to protect their children when they are young and teach them to be responsible for their actions. Parents use discipline to discourage destructive behavior. While love can be unconditional, consequences for bad behavior are not. I don't agree that unquestioning approval and protection is a good trait for a parent.

Brian was actually an adult (although he did not behave maturely). Brian should have turned himself in. His parents should have been encouraging this as well.

Brian's parents could have protected their adult child by calling the police or requested a Baker Act so Brian would at least be alive in custody.

 

[Cool Cats]

You know, if a loved-one called me in a panic, said they needed a lawyer and their partner was 'gone', I suppose it's possible that I wouldn't immediately comprehend what they were talking about. But the first words out of my mouth would be "What do you mean gone? Where did they go?" It might take me a few minutes to process, but the meaning would eventually sink in.

This may be another assumption on my part, but I think pretty much everyone would react the same. They wouldn't just assume 'gone' referred to leaving the home and not ask any followup questions.

I agree.

Don't get confused by the word gone. When someone is gone you call the police and file a missing person. When someone has passed away you call the attorney to protect the guilty party.

Actions show what the parents knew. Their actions were to call the attorney rather than to call for help to find a missing person.

 

[al66pine]

.... ultimately BL decided on his own to take his life instead of facing the consequences of his actions. JMO.

snipped for focus @RANCH
Some might say BL took his life instead of facing a CRIMINAL TRIAL as a consequence of his actions.

He may have faced consequences of a DIFFERENT type of judgment for his actions leading to GP's death. IDK.

 

[tlcya]

August 12 police stop the couple after a fight
August 24 couple seen in Salt Lake
August 25 Gabby's last post
August 29 BL called parents she's "gone"
September 2 retainer paid for atty
September 19 remains found

This won't be a popular opinion which is why I don't follow this civil suit. The Laundries could not have saved Gabby. They owed no legal duty to divulge that their son said she was "gone", no legal duty to tell the Petitos anything. I disagree with this civil suit. To me it is clear it is not about getting information. It is punitive. An attempt to punish those left behind because they can't punish the person responsible.

Had BL's parents shared with Gabby's that he said she's "gone" she would still, in fact, be gone. did the Laundrie parents break the law? Nope.

Was their failure to assist the Petitos in finding their daughter immoral? Maybe, probably. I do not agree with the civil courts being used to adjudicate someone's morality. I think that is a super slippery slope that I personally find scary.

I know most everyone still following this thread are of the opposite opinion and cheer the P's on as they pursue "justice" for Gabby. I don't consider this justice. It is a pound of flesh - JMO MOO

I will leave you all to it again, thanks for taking the time to read. Peace

 

[RANCH]

August 12 police stop the couple after a fight
August 24 couple seen in Salt Lake
August 25 Gabby's last post
August 29 BL called parents she's "gone"
September 2 retainer paid for atty
September 19 remains found

This won't be a popular opinion which is why I don't follow this civil suit. The Laundries could not have saved Gabby. They owed no legal duty to divulge that their son said she was "gone", no legal duty to tell the Petitos anything. I disagree with this civil suit. To me it is clear it is not about getting information. It is punitive. An attempt to punish those left behind because they can't punish the person responsible.

Had BL's parents shared with Gabby's that he said she's "gone" she would still, in fact, be gone. did the Laundrie parents break the law? Nope.

Was their failure to assist the Petitos in finding their daughter immoral? Maybe, probably. I do not agree with the civil courts being used to adjudicate someone's morality. I think that is a super slippery slope that I personally find scary.

I know most everyone still following this thread are of the opposite opinion and cheer the P's on as they pursue "justice" for Gabby. I don't consider this justice. It is a pound of flesh - JMO MOO

I will leave you all to it again, thanks for taking the time to read. Peace

I agree with you 100%.