Found Deceased WY - Gabrielle ‘Gabby’ Petito, 22, Grand Teton National Park, 25 Aug 2021 #32

[customCF]

When there's no obvious cause of death, a toxicology test is needed. They test mainly for opiates, amphetamines, marijuana, alcohol and barbiturates but rarely include poisons. If a drug is detected in the first test, scientists confirm the results by running more tests, which can take several more days and might have to be repeated to ensure accuracy. The tests are very complex and can take weeks.

Makes sense. I was also thinking about evidence and if they found enough or any even to implicate BL or anyone for that matter

 

[Sassafrass]

Wow, I did not realize he was well..... short. The US is like the UK in regards to height. Young to upper middle aged men who are 5ft 8 inches stand out as being short. Not dramatically so, but they do stand out.

Not really. Estimated average height for men in the US is ~ 5'9". Similar for UK, though I have also seen slightly higher estimates for the UK.
Average human height by country - Wikipedia

 

[blueberryjam]

It's entirely possible the FBI/local LE have dozens of other reports from people who haven't made their story visible on social media. We wouldn't know.

I think this. The defence is going to rip anyone who went public to pieces, or try to, saying they just wanted attention. I imagine anyone coming forward, LE are imploring them to not say anything publicly

 

[oviedo]

2020
MAR 17: IG Post- 1 yr anniversary
JUL 2: GP announced her engagement to BL

2021
JUL 2: Van Life Road Trip Began for Gabby Petito and BL - GP is the owner of the van
JUL 5: The couple stopped at Kansas' Monument Rocks
JUL 8: Their next stop was Colorado Springs
JUL 10: Petito updated her Instagram with photos of her walking at Grand Sand Dunes National Park
JUL 16: Petito’s smiling in a photo from the couple’s next stop at Zion National Park
JUL 20: Petito informed her Instagram followers that they were at Cedar Breaks
JUL 21: The next stop was Bryce Canyon National Park
JUL 26: Petito posted a photo relaxing in hot tub at Mystic Hot Springs
JUL 30: The couple stopped at Canyonlands National Park Mesa Arch

==================================
AUG 10: JF met Gabby and BL near Moab, Utah where they chatted about 40 min. JF and his girlfriend then set off on a hike to the Delicate Arch. When they got back to the parking lot, Gabby and Laundrie were gone.

AUG 12: The couple was at the organic store (Moonflower) from 9am to 3pm according to the police video - they were going to get water and showers - police report incident is at 4pm and the video is over an hour long of this incident. BL is taken to a hotel -
?Where does Gabby go for the night?

AUG 12: The couple took a hike at Arches National Park -
?Believe the hike was august 9 and posted on aug 12?

AUG 12 Moab, UT PD police incident report - no criminal charges,respond to an incident involving BL and Gabrielle Petito

AUG 12 Arches National Park - reservation only campsite (per PE) -
?Is this where Gabby stayed in her van/tent?

AUG 13 - BL posts to Instagram
=============================

AUG 17: BL returns to Florida via airplane to move their things out of storage returns Aug 23 -Some reports say he moved stuff into storage and some say out of storage (source - handwritten note by Gabbys uncle and interview with Mom dailymail)

AUG 19: YouTube travel video posted by Gabby

AUG 21: Gabbys dad orders Uber eats delivered to hotel

AUG 21: Gabby told her Dad on FaceTime that they had lost power during a stop in Salt Lake City.

AUG 23: BL returns from Florida trip via airplane (dailymail interview with Mom)
(?Where was the van parked?)

AUG 24: The couple were seen checking out of a hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah

AUG 25: Petito’s family spoke to her for the last time over the phone and she said she was in Grand Teton National Park

Last phone call between Gabby & her mom, Nicole Schmidt. Last Instagram post from Monarch Wall in Ogden, Utah.

AUG 25 - Couple spots van at 5pm at Jenny Lake - alerts LE 9/17 they saw it

Aug 26 -

Jessica Schultz told the San Francisco Chronicle that she saw BL in the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area near the park on August 26. She said she was driving behind BL while he was in the couple's white van alone, before he parked it on the side of the road.

Aug 27-Gabby and BL at Merry Piglets, a Tex-Mex restaurant, between 1 and 2 p.m. on Aug. 27, when they said an agitated BL began arguing with a waitress.

AUG 27 - Gabby's uncle posts there was a snapchat Gabby sent a friend -heading to Yellowstone (in Dailymail article)

AUG 27-a Van is seen in the side of the road and youtubers post it - MSM picks up the story - could be Gabbys
In the video the lady says it was recorded Aug 27, 2021 at between 6:00 to 6:30 PM

AUG 27 & 30: text messages from Gabby’s phone sent to mom

After August 30th, Gabby’s parents weren’t able to get in contact with Gabby or her fiance. Her fiance’s mother also was not responding to any phone calls.

AUG 29- BL is picked up at 5:30pm while hiking alone in Grand Teton (tiktok reported in MSM) offers to pay for a ride

B alleged that Laundrie had confessed to camping at an unregulated site in the National Park "in the middle of nowhere along Snake River."
(Note - this is not confirmed by LE)
AUG 29- Second person claims to have picked up BL hitchhiking and dropped him at 6:30pm
AUG 29 Elk hunters spot van
AUG 30- BL accused of unauthorized use - Warrant:The warrant alleges that BL committed debit card fraud between Aug. 30, 2021, and Sept. 1, 2021.
AUG 30: Text from Gabby to Mom - “No service in Yosemite”
AUG 31- BL accused of unauthorized use of capital one card-warrant
August 31: A new list titled “Self-Consumption” appeared on the couple’s Spotify
AUG 31- BL may have purchased gas in Benton
SEP 1 - BL accused of unauthorized use of capital one card - warrant
SEP 1: BL returns home to FL alone according to his parents, (retains an attorney we don’t know when) & is uncooperative with the investigation
Gabbys Van enters at 10:26am Sept 1

Sept 2 -9: ?

Sept 2/3 or 9/10 - Neighbor spots BL outside mowing and bike ride with his Mom

Sept 2?-4?- neighbor says family went camping with the truck and camper for 3 days

SEP 10:: Gabby’s mother texted BL and his mother, RL, trying to get in touch with Gabby, but neither replied. The family alerted the National Park Service.

Sept 10- Incident with Gabbys Dad -redacted police report Links her Dad to a police response at the home where his daughter lived with BL and his parents at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 10.

SEP 11: Gabby’s family report her missing 7 PM

Sep 11: Van seized at the home of BL parents in NorthPort FL - FBI

Sept12-15- working on which cars were in the driveway-
Camper, Truck, Mustang

Sept 14 - Reporter Brian Entin reports there is no mustang in the driveway
(Tuesday)

Note placed on Mustang at the preserve: The note had requested the car be removed, but the family left the vehicle there until Thursday, hoping he’d return to it, Bertolino told the New York Post.

However, video appears to show the car parked on the Laundrie’s driveway Wednesday, according to a Crimeonline report.

Footage from NewsNationNow reporter Brian Entin appeared to show the Mustang convertible back in the driveway on Wednesday night.

Sep 14: BL family lawyer issues statement

Note: a vehicle left driveway at 6:04pm

Sept 15: NorthPort police names BL as Person of Interest

Sept 15: Gabby's family issues another statement

Sep 15- Northport police chief asks BL lawyer to assist in finding Gabby

Sep 17 - FBI takes over search in WY (GTNP =Grand Teton National Park)

Sept 17- BL family asks police to come to their home

Sept 17- LE at BL home - he is declared missing by his parents as of Tuesday

Parents admit driving the mustang back home after finding it at the preserve

Sept18- searches for Gabby and BL

Sept 19- searches for Gabby and BL planned

Sept 19 - FBI press conference - offers condolences to Gabby's family - body found believed to be Gabby

Found near where the van bloggers video showed the van parked on August 27 (6-6:3opm)

Investigators left a cross made from rocks at the site where Gabby's body was found

Sept 20- Search Warrant Served at home of BL parents by FBI - Mustang registered to CL towed away

Sept 21 - autopsy of Gabby at 1pm
Sept 21 - confirmed remains are Gabby
sept 21- search resumes for BL
Sept 22- search for BL in preserve
Sept 23- search for BL in preserve
Sept 23 - BL parents leave in the truck this morning and return with the Mustang and then leave again followed by LE
Sept 23 - BL parents drive to Orlando and return (LE is said to have followed them)
Sept 23 - Federal Warrant Issued for the arrest of BL
Sept 24 - Search continues in preserve

—-

WY - Gabrielle ‘Gabby’ Petito, 22, Grand Teton National Park, 8/25/21 *MEDIA MAPS TIMELINE No discussion*
Neighbors claim to have seen BL after Sept 1 at the parents' house VIDEO: Brian Laundrie's Neighbor Says She Saw Him After He Returned Home | 96-1 SRS | Trending on the Web
Arrest warrant:
Federal arrest warrant issued for Brian Laundrie on bank fraud charges
Parents meet in Orlando with attorney -
Jossie Carbonare (WPBF reporter) @JossieCarbonare — 5:05PM 9/23
This morning #BrainLaundrie’s family could be seen leaving their North Port home. I asked their attorney where they went since people were wondering if they possibly were with police and he replied with:
Second person claims to pick up BL 8/29 - Brian Laundrie manhunt: Woman in Wyoming says she picked him up hitchhiking | Fox News

Gas purchase? Not confirmed https://www.wfcnnews.com/Reports_La...rchases_linked_to_Benton,_IL_gas_station.html

Mustang ownership and tow: Gabby Petito case: FBI agents swarm Brian Laundrie's home in Florida

9/23/21 - Parents leave: Brian Laundrie’s parents seen leaving home, followed by caravan of police

Gabbys dad Sept 10-Gabby Petito's dad linked to incident at Laundrie home evening before she was reported missing

Elk hunters sighting

Search intensifies for Gabby Petito; police respond to Laundrie home in Florida

Reporter Brian Entin video he posted on Tuesday 9/14 at 6:04 pm and he said the parents had left an hour previously.
https://twitter.com/brianentin/status/1437930287170822152?s=21

Then video of them returning in a red truck.
https://twitter.com/brianentin/status/1437932624534769668?s=21

cross left by Investigators - Makeshift cross found in area where crews searched for Gabby Petito

neighbor interview - https://twitter.com/kristinthorne/status/1440724906690236417?s=21

it’s Gabby FBI confirms Gabby Petito's remains found in Wyoming; manner of death 'homicide'

Brian Entin
@BrianEntin
·
Sep 23
The Laundries did leave this morning in the red truck. They returned home with the Mustang. And then left again in the truck
=====
@Tiff23fr @JerseyGirl
For page 1 -

 

[Mike in WNY]

showed as a small plane yesterday and then i think later on it showed as a helicopter

maybe its just the website, i saw once an Orion as a small ultralight lol

Yeah. that gyro has been in and out of there a few times. Assuming is rented by some photojournalist. Also, the Florida Highway patrol was up yesterday in some high wing Cessna (IIRC) running a pattern over that road to the south of the search area (I75, maybe???).

 

[Kapua]

there’s a lot of images like this being posted on Twitter. Some are hilarious.

jmo

I found a lot of pics of him with various lengths of hair and beard and decided against wasting my time. Two things he cannot disguise are that big nose and those odd-shaped ears. MOO

 

[Katerz]

Florida Fish & Wildlife (N118FW) looks like it's incoming. Was there a coupla days ago, IIRC.

I don’t see that plane live?

 

[customCF]

It could be bore holes/swabs on logs and rocks as a comparison to a potential murder weapon. It sadly, and I hate to say it, be because animals spread things around

as far as i know Gabby wasn't interfered with much where she was found

 

[borndem]

I was thinking about doing that, although I'm not great at it, either. If he were clean-shaven with a hat, he'd be less recognizable. MOO

True. Did the think, in his panic to run, to bring any razors -- so that he could do a clean shave or change the appearance of a full beard? Surely he wouldn't venture to stop somewhere to buy one.

 

[carbuff]

Or to confirm and further substantiate their preliminary findings

Yes, exactly.

The additional information can also add nuance. For example--and this is made up for an example, not saying anything like this happened--if toxicology shows a victim was drugged to unconsciousness before a fatal wound was inflicted, that might point to premeditation. Again, that's just a made-up example.

 

[Katerz]

Yeah. that gyro has been in and out of there a few times. Assuming is rented by some photojournalist. Also, the Florida Highway patrol was up yesterday in some high wing Cessna (IIRC) running a pattern over that road to the south of the search area (I75, maybe???).

Ohhh you mean DELMAR area????

 

[unmused]

What I don't understand is why people are only just coming forward NOW about it.

Does that not seem suspicious to you!? This case has been making the news worldwide for 2 weeks now.

It just seems slightly odd to me that someone would only just recall that they picked up BL at the time this all happened..

JMO

It's not odd at all. Number of times I've watched the news in the last 6 months: ZERO. I knew Gabby disappeared because I'm a member of many hiking/camping groups, but I never bothered reading the details until a few days ago. If I had not been in those groups I would be clueless about the details of her case still.

This from a person who's been a member of this site for many, many years. There are still a lot of people in this world who don't pay attention to the news, don't delve into sensational stories, don't frequent social media, and they're probably the better for it because they didn't just spend the last four days glued to a laptop, ignoring their real life like I just did.

 

[samanthadaniels1995]

Yes and so this article reviews those possibilities from an investigator's perspective. Gabby Petito case: Where could Brian Laundrie be 10 days after slipping away?

 

[TKG]

Did Gabby Petito's missing fiance escape to Toronto? | Toronto Sun
This flight attendant that thinks she spotted BL in Toronto, told the hotel staff about him and posted online about him. Does anyone know if she actually alerted any LE agency?

In her interview she does indicate that she reported it all to LE.

 

[blueberryjam]

as far as i know Gabby wasn't interfered with much where she was found

Thats surprising considering weeks of exposure. I wonder what that says about time of death. Do you have any links with this info, not cause I do not believe just interested. cheers

 

[Mike in WNY]

showed as a small plane yesterday and then i think later on it showed as a helicopter

maybe its just the website, i saw once an Orion as a small ultralight lol

Yeah. that gyro has been in and out of there a few times. Assuming is rented by some photojournalist. Also, the Florida Highway patrol was up yesterday in some high wing Cessna (IIRC) running a pattern of that road to the south of the search area (I&%

N129TV? Seems like a bigger plane. No info that I can see.

N129TV is a EUROCOPTER AS 350 - WGN - Chicago... which someone on here later stated has been rebranded as "New Nation" or some such thing.

 

[Barbie619]

There will be a show tomorrow (saturday) night on Fox with Jeanine Perriro on Justice with Jeanine at 9:00 pm est where this case will be discussed.. just a FYI for those who are interested.

 

[Tiff23fr]

2020
MAR 17: IG Post- 1 yr anniversary
JUL 2: GP announced her engagement to BL

2021
JUL 2: Van Life Road Trip Began for Gabby Petito and BL - GP is the owner of the van
JUL 5: The couple stopped at Kansas' Monument Rocks
JUL 8: Their next stop was Colorado Springs
JUL 10: Petito updated her Instagram with photos of her walking at Grand Sand Dunes National Park
JUL 16: Petito’s smiling in a photo from the couple’s next stop at Zion National Park
JUL 20: Petito informed her Instagram followers that they were at Cedar Breaks
JUL 21: The next stop was Bryce Canyon National Park
JUL 26: Petito posted a photo relaxing in hot tub at Mystic Hot Springs
JUL 30: The couple stopped at Canyonlands National Park Mesa Arch

==================================
AUG 10: JF met Gabby and BL near Moab, Utah where they chatted about 40 min. JF and his girlfriend then set off on a hike to the Delicate Arch. When they got back to the parking lot, Gabby and Laundrie were gone.

AUG 12: The couple was at the organic store (Moonflower) from 9am to 3pm according to the police video - they were going to get water and showers - police report incident is at 4pm and the video is over an hour long of this incident. BL is taken to a hotel -
?Where does Gabby go for the night?

AUG 12: The couple took a hike at Arches National Park -
?Believe the hike was august 9 and posted on aug 12?

AUG 12 Moab, UT PD police incident report - no criminal charges,respond to an incident involving BL and Gabrielle Petito

AUG 12 Arches National Park - reservation only campsite (per PE) -
?Is this where Gabby stayed in her van/tent?

AUG 13 - BL posts to Instagram
=============================

AUG 17: BL returns to Florida via airplane to move their things out of storage returns Aug 23 -Some reports say he moved stuff into storage and some say out of storage (source - handwritten note by Gabbys uncle and interview with Mom dailymail)

AUG 19: YouTube travel video posted by Gabby

AUG 21: Gabbys dad orders Uber eats delivered to hotel

AUG 21: Gabby told her Dad on FaceTime that they had lost power during a stop in Salt Lake City.

AUG 23: BL returns from Florida trip via airplane (dailymail interview with Mom)
(?Where was the van parked?)

AUG 24: The couple were seen checking out of a hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah

AUG 25: Petito’s family spoke to her for the last time over the phone and she said she was in Grand Teton National Park

Last phone call between Gabby & her mom, Nicole Schmidt. Last Instagram post from Monarch Wall in Ogden, Utah.

AUG 25 - Couple spots van at 5pm at Jenny Lake - alerts LE 9/17 they saw it

Aug 26 -

Jessica Schultz told the San Francisco Chronicle that she saw BL in the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area near the park on August 26. She said she was driving behind BL while he was in the couple's white van alone, before he parked it on the side of the road.

Aug 27-Gabby and BL at Merry Piglets, a Tex-Mex restaurant, between 1 and 2 p.m. on Aug. 27, when they said an agitated BL began arguing with a waitress.

AUG 27 - Gabby's uncle posts there was a snapchat Gabby sent a friend -heading to Yellowstone (in Dailymail article)

AUG 27-a Van is seen in the side of the road and youtubers post it - MSM picks up the story - could be Gabbys
In the video the lady says it was recorded Aug 27, 2021 at between 6:00 to 6:30 PM

AUG 27 & 30: text messages from Gabby’s phone sent to mom

After August 30th, Gabby’s parents weren’t able to get in contact with Gabby or her fiance. Her fiance’s mother also was not responding to any phone calls.

AUG 29- BL is picked up at 5:30pm while hiking alone in Grand Teton (tiktok reported in MSM) offers to pay for a ride

B alleged that Laundrie had confessed to camping at an unregulated site in the National Park "in the middle of nowhere along Snake River."
(Note - this is not confirmed by LE)
AUG 29- Second person claims to have picked up BL hitchhiking and dropped him at 6:30pm
AUG 29 Elk hunters spot van

AUG 30: Text from Gabby to Mom - “No service in Yosemite”

August 31: A new list titled “Self-Consumption” appeared on the couple’s Spotify
AUG 31- BL may have purchased gas in Benton

SEP 1: BL returns home to FL alone according to his parents, (retains an attorney we don’t know when) & is uncooperative with the investigation
Gabbys Van enters at 10:26am Sept 1

Sept 2 -9: ?

Sept 2/3 or 9/10 - Neighbor spots BL outside mowing and bike ride with his Mom

Sept 2?-4?- neighbor says family went camping with the truck and camper for 3 days

SEP 10:: Gabby’s mother texted BL and his mother, RL, trying to get in touch with Gabby, but neither replied. The family alerted the National Park Service.

Sept 10- Incident with Gabbys Dad -redacted police report Links her Dad to a police response at the home where his daughter lived with BL and his parents at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 10.

SEP 11: Gabby’s family report her missing 7 PM

Sep 11: Van seized at the home of BL parents in NorthPort FL - FBI

Sept12-15- working on which cars were in the driveway-
Camper, Truck, Mustang

Sept 14 - Reporter Brian Entin reports there is no mustang in the driveway
(Tuesday)

Note placed on Mustang at the preserve: The note had requested the car be removed, but the family left the vehicle there until Thursday, hoping he’d return to it, Bertolino told the New York Post.

However, video appears to show the car parked on the Laundrie’s driveway Wednesday, according to a Crimeonline report.

Footage from NewsNationNow reporter Brian Entin appeared to show the Mustang convertible back in the driveway on Wednesday night.

Sep 14: BL family lawyer issues statement

Note: a vehicle left driveway at 6:04pm

Sept 15: NorthPort police names BL as Person of Interest

Sept 15: Gabby's family issues another statement

Sep 15- Northport police chief asks BL lawyer to assist in finding Gabby

Sep 17 - FBI takes over search in WY (GTNP =Grand Teton National Park)

Sept 17- BL family asks police to come to their home

Sept 17- LE at BL home - he is declared missing by his parents as of Tuesday

Parents admit driving the mustang back home after finding it at the preserve

Sept18- searches for Gabby and BL

Sept 19- searches for Gabby and BL planned

Sept 19 - FBI press conference - offers condolences to Gabby's family - body found believed to be Gabby

Found near where the van bloggers video showed the van parked on August 27 (6-6:3opm)

Investigators left a cross made from rocks at the site where Gabby's body was found

Sept 20- Search Warrant Served at home of BL parents by FBI - Mustang registered to CL towed away

Sept 21 - autopsy of Gabby at 1pm
Sept 21 - confirmed remains are Gabby
sept 21- search resumes for BL
Sept 22- search for BL in preserve
Sept 23- search for BL in preserve
Sept 23 - BL parents leave in the truck this morning and return with the Mustang and then leave again followed by LE
Sept 23 - BL parents drive to Orlando and return (LE is said to have followed them)
Sept 23 - Federal Warrant Issued for the arrest of BL
Sept 24 - Search continues in preserve

—-

WY - Gabrielle ‘Gabby’ Petito, 22, Grand Teton National Park, 8/25/21 *MEDIA MAPS TIMELINE No discussion*
Neighbors claim to have seen BL after Sept 1 at the parents' house VIDEO: Brian Laundrie's Neighbor Says She Saw Him After He Returned Home | 96-1 SRS | Trending on the Web
Arrest warrant:
Federal arrest warrant issued for Brian Laundrie on bank fraud charges
Parents meet in Orlando with attorney -
Jossie Carbonare (WPBF reporter) @JossieCarbonare — 5:05PM 9/23
This morning #BrainLaundrie’s family could be seen leaving their North Port home. I asked their attorney where they went since people were wondering if they possibly were with police and he replied with:
Second person claims to pick up BL 8/29 - Brian Laundrie manhunt: Woman in Wyoming says she picked him up hitchhiking | Fox News

Gas purchase? Not confirmed https://www.wfcnnews.com/Reports_La...rchases_linked_to_Benton,_IL_gas_station.html

Mustang ownership and tow: Gabby Petito case: FBI agents swarm Brian Laundrie's home in Florida

9/23/21 - Parents leave: Brian Laundrie’s parents seen leaving home, followed by caravan of police

Gabbys dad Sept 10-Gabby Petito's dad linked to incident at Laundrie home evening before she was reported missing

Elk hunters sighting

Search intensifies for Gabby Petito; police respond to Laundrie home in Florida

Reporter Brian Entin video he posted on Tuesday 9/14 at 6:04 pm and he said the parents had left an hour previously.
https://twitter.com/brianentin/status/1437930287170822152?s=21

Then video of them returning in a red truck.
https://twitter.com/brianentin/status/1437932624534769668?s=21

cross left by Investigators - Makeshift cross found in area where crews searched for Gabby Petito

neighbor interview - https://twitter.com/kristinthorne/status/1440724906690236417?s=21

it’s Gabby FBI confirms Gabby Petito's remains found in Wyoming; manner of death 'homicide'

Brian Entin
@BrianEntin
·
Sep 23
The Laundries did leave this morning in the red truck. They returned home with the Mustang. And then left again in the truck
=====
@Tiff23fr @JerseyGirl
For page 1 -

Done - Thanks!

 

[saact]

Exactly. I would do things that are beyond my moral range, for my brother. There are few things he could do that I would not risk everything to help him. including keeping my mouth shut, or even risking prison.

I don't think that I would do any of these things, even for my own child, if they flat out admitted to me they'd committed a cold-blooded murder. However, I can't honestly say what I would do under the weight of the horrific moral dilemma I'd be presented with if one of my kids called me up and said, "Dad, [Name] is dead, I didn't do it / it was an accident and I'm scared, please help me." I'm a legally conscious person, and the first thing I would probably do is retain an attorney. I know that I'm not a callous person though and that I would absolutely want the decedent's family to have closure, but if I was advised by an attorney not to talk to anyone and was forced into a situation where I had to choose between that and jeopardizing my own child? I only know that I wouldn't wish that choice on any parent. And none of us in the general public knows what was said to prompt any of the actions of BL's parents yet.

MOO.

 

[PingTheRouter]

Yeah. that gyro has been in and out of there a few times. Assuming is rented by some photojournalist. Also, the Florida Highway patrol was up yesterday in some high wing Cessna (IIRC) running a pattern over that road to the south of the search area (I75, maybe???).

i don't know if they still do this but highway patrol used to send the plane up and what they would do is they would time people from A to B and charge them over a distance for speeding instead of a camera

could be part of the search as well, maybe they are trying to manage the massive amount of traffic and vehicles in the area