Found Deceased WY - Gabrielle ‘Gabby’ Petito, 22, Grand Teton National Park, 25 Aug 2021 #62

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  • #601
I think we may safely deduce that she died between Aug 27-30. Probably closer to Aug 27.

Brian was on the road and using her bank card on Aug 30. Also Gabby's mom thought her Aug 27 text message was "odd" (as well as another text on Aug 30). So the restaruant sighting around midday Aug 27 was the last known live sighting. Then Aug 28 -29 witnesses confirm Brian hitchhiking.

Add in information that only the coroner and LE are privy to (autopsy details/investigation/entomology, phone data, bank card data, etc) and I would think they can further narrow down the time of death to a small range of hours.

I personally believe he killed her Aug 27, sometime after the midday restaurant fight, and prior to the Bethune dashcam video on Aug 27 just before sunset.
I saw this posted the other day that someone mentioned Gabby's mom last spoke to her daughter the morning of August 30th. Do we know if this is true?
 
  • #602
And since we see that it is widely published that BL was an over weight socially isolated middle schooler. I bring the subject of what potentially could lead to his state of being on his trip. When I see him approach the police officer in his long white shirt, I see person that is able to shut off emotion. Middle school experience can lead to deficiency in social behavior and cause a withdrawal that enables them to endure. Perhaps something about Gabby behavior was setting off old triggers that under travel conditions away from home could not be moderated. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...4QFnoECAMQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0qpT_EB2UkU7H_7YDuWb26

I don't think we need to analyze what may have gone wrong in BL's past or middle school days and whether he was traumatized by it. Plenty of people had terrible middle school years or have sleep deprivation and they don't kill their loved ones. He has/had something else very wrong with his thinking. Entitlement and privilege and the need to control his girlfriend, for starters. IMO

Speaking of control... In their SM posts and vids, I noticed that Gabby was always reading books by HIS favorite author. Anyone else catch that? I never saw Gabby reading something that was not on-brand for him and his "edgy" artwork aesthetic. She read his books. He didn't read her books. I wonder if he forced her to do that.
 
  • #603
I saw this posted the other day that someone mentioned Gabby's mom last spoke to her daughter the morning of August 30th. Do we know if this is true?
that was a text that her MOM DID not believe that Gabby sent her. The last phone conversation that her mom had with her ( Gabby) was Aug 25th from what we have heard. MOO
 
  • #604
The Sun headline is overstated. Read the article. Nowhere does Dog say Brian killed Gabby while calming her down. This is a sensationalized interpretation of what Dog said about the Moab DV incident:

I know that she was very verbal because as they were arguing one time, the vacationers around them heard her yelling,” Dog said. “I know that he calmed her down usually by grabbing her mouth like that.”
The Sun took this statement and twisted it to make it appear Dog was speaking about Gabby's murder when he was actually speaking about the Moab incident. I am a little hesitant to defend Dog (I've never heard of him before this case) because he does seem to be a rather outlandish character, but I get disgusted at the news media and their tricks to create controversy and sell more papers.

In light of this info, the Twitter account does appear to be BL's. Similar things were tweeted.
 
  • #605
I agree, I don't think convicting BL in Gabby's death is a slam dunk as some might think.

Strangulation does indicate premeditated as it does take more than a moment to kill someone in that manner. That typically indicates the victim knew their killer.

However, the lack of a weapon (other than hands) hinders tying BL with Gabby at her death.

If there were an eyewitness, we likely would have heard that by now.

What he has said or will say might prove vital in a conviction. It could just be a slip during interrogation.

My opinion

As I posted a few times, I don't and never expected them to go for Murder 1. I believed and still do that there will be proof problems. This is why it was dumb of him to run. Because he keeps adding counts to any eventual indictment. Bad advice, if that advice was given. MOO
 
  • #606
I don't think it will matter. Murder convictions can be done with only circumstantial evidence and have been. Here is an explanation of how that can work.

Circumstantial Evidence was Sufficient to Uphold First-Degree Murder Conviction of Florida Man

"Circumstantial evidence, by contrast, consists of a fact or set of facts that, if proven, will support the creation of an inference that the matter asserted is true. Florida homicide cases can be proven by using direct or circumstantial evidence."

Judge Van Rooyen just ruled there is enough circumstantial evidence to proceed with the trials of Paul and Rueben Flores for the murder of Kristin Smart. This ruling came 25 years after her disappearance. They've never found her body.

Trials based on circumstantial evidence are obviously hard, but they're not impossible.
 
  • #607
Dr. Kobolinksy on Anderson Cooper was explaining that after three days post-mortem, a time of death is very difficult to determine. He said a forensic entomologist would be needed. He also mentioned that an anthropologist has already been at the death site.

Andrew McCabe, former FBI, said there’s an international warrant out for Brian, Interpol etc, so hopefully if he is found in another country, that warrant will be honored.
 
  • #608
Great question but I don't have a clue!

I would imagine DNA would remain under the nails and that the FBI indeed has it IF it exists. That said and i'm trying to locate untouched pictures first shared with him back in FL but i'd imagine she struggled and he lost some skin in that process, enough that it's not relatable to them being a couple but pure murder.

Looks like in the pics i last saw he hand a zig zag pattern of marks on his right arm. Plus if you see his muscle outlines, he's not a weakling, no mention of any blunt force traumas so cant imagine that going down without a fight/struggle. I hope GP got DNA and something else maybe tore off or clutched that 100% connects him in multiple ways.
 
  • #609
It doesn't matter. The statute clearly says the state retains civil and criminal jurisdiction in national forests established in their state, except when the offense is against the United States.

The statute doesn't say what you think it says. There are a lot of areas of law where there is concurrent state and federal jurisdiction. The District of Wyoming website says very clearly that they are the prosecuting office for even misdemeanor and violation level crimes - which are state law crimes. Jurisdictions are allowed to divide up enforcement and prosecution based on resources. The District of Wyoming opened a Yellowstone office specifically to deal with crimes in these popular National Parks and Forests.

For example, you can get into federal court on state issues under diversity jurisdiction when the parties are from different states and the amount in controversy is over $75,000. So if I bring a big breach of contract case in SDNY under diversity jurisdiction, that doesn't mean - and no one would argue - that New York state no longer has jurisdiction over New York state contract law. It just means that invoking 28 USC § 1332 gets you into SDNY for your particular case. On the criminal side, there are competing state and federal cases all the time with drug possession and weapons possession. Sometimes the state starts and it is kicked over to the feds. In some cases the feds take it from the time of the arrest. It can also depend on the relationship between the local attorneys and the AUSA responsible.

We can read the District of Wyoming website that instructs us on who we need to call if we are arrested in Bridger-Teton. Violations In Yellowstone And Grand Teton National Parks And In Other Federal Enclaves

If the District of Wyoming did not have jurisdiction here, the local county attorney could have charged Brian with state-law theft claims. Or Florida could have charged him with theft. Or the Middle District of Florida could have charged him under 1029 which would have been closer to the key witnesses in the case. I think they went with 1029 out of D. Wyoming so all of the prosecutions would be based out of the same office. Otherwise it does not really make sense why they would get involved at all.
 
  • #610
Can I take a moment to address the involvement of John Walsh and Dog the Bounty Hunter. I know a lot of user think they are "trash" or "garbage" or even just seeking attention or eyeballs. I can understand this point of view, but I am thankful for their involvement. They are bringing attention to other audiences, eyes that are perhaps not here on WS or a part of this community.

I generally believe they are trying to advance the case. The more places this monsters face is published, the smaller the area he can hide. If you are advancing this search and bringing the case even an inch closer to being solve I am happy to have to see it! Bring all the attention and Eyeballs we can get!

IMO
Agreed. When Gabby's family were asked about them specifically, they said help is welcomed from anyone.

Walsh and his programs have always had support and respect from LE. I think he can help in Gabby's case. As for his recent interviews that might seem abrasive, for decades he has witnessed the devastating effects of violent crime. He's heard the stories and looked victims in the eye. I think he's been shaped by this decades-long public service. He's no longer stifled as when he was doing his original TV show.

He and Chapman are able to receive tips that LE might not. They're trusted by people who might not want to contact LE. They're skilled and experienced.
MOO
 
  • #611
Judge Van Rooyen just ruled there is enough circumstantial evidence to proceed with the trials of Paul and Rueben Flores for the murder of Kristin Smart. This ruling came 25 years after her disappearance. They've never found her body.

Trials based on circumstantial evidence are obviously hard, but they're not impossible.
Can I like this a million times! Yes, I can! :)
 
  • #612
@Jurisprudence ..Regarding our earlier exchanges, we're dealing with state law regardless of where the act occurred @CharlestonGal found a statute leaving crimes on these federal lands to the states unless they are crimes against the United States. See post below. MOO

Found Deceased - WY - Gabrielle ‘Gabby’ Petito, 22, Grand Teton National Park, 25 Aug 2021 #62
Thank you!!

If murder is committed within the borders of a state, that state has jurisdiction. If the victim is a federal or foreign official, or if the crime took place on federal property or involved crossing state lines, or in a manner that substantially affects interstate commerce or national security, the federal government also has jurisdiction.

Is it Double Jeopardy to Charge a Crime at State and Federal Level?
 
  • #613
Who thinks Gabby fought her killer like a wildcat, scratched the s*** out of his chest and the side of face, gouged a little chunk or two out of that vine tattoo on his finger - to the extent that his handlers sent him off to hide and heal.
Look Ma! No offensive injuries!
I'm ready for my reemergence, Mr. DeMille! All healed up and still only a POI! :rolleyes:

YES! That's a huge reason they didn't want the LE talking to Brian, they hired an attorney and helped hide him. I still think the attorney knows exactly where he is and possibly set him up in a cabin in upstate NY. MOO.
Sadly enough I envisioned strangulation to be the cause, probably fought and pushed, shoved then he killed her.
 
  • #614
I still wonder if Brian's parents were ever asked to take a lie detector test... and declined.
If they did, I'd count that as the only example of good judgement we've seen from them. Polygraphs are garbage and shouldn't be in use.
 
  • #615
@Jurisprudence ..Regarding our earlier exchanges, we're dealing with state law regardless of where the act occurred @CharlestonGal found a statute leaving crimes on these federal lands to the states unless they are crimes against the United States. See post below. MOO

Found Deceased - WY - Gabrielle ‘Gabby’ Petito, 22, Grand Teton National Park, 25 Aug 2021 #62
Thank you!!
Np! Hint: If you hit the reply button, not quote button, it will copy the quote you are responding to.
 
  • #616
She read his books. He didn't read her books. I wonder if he forced her to do that.

Sometimes that is called mirroring.
It is often done consciously or unconsciously (and willingly) to be on the same page as someone else. Because you are attracted to them or interested in them.

imo

I personally think that Gabby was very good at having her say, doing what she (mostly) wanted to do, and was a strong young woman.
If she was limp and docile and compliant, there probably would have been very little reason/impetus to murder her.
.
 
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  • #617
So without pulling this up separately, it seems pretty clear we are dealing with WYOMING state law here.

A Wyoming (possible) murder charge no more federal law talk unless something changes. MOO
What about the federal crimes of using her debit card across state lines? Does the murder charge get tried on the state level and federal charges for bank fraud?
 
  • #618
The Dr. Phil episode had a picture of the exact location she was found in. Same area that her step father made the small rock cross and left flowers. I can’t remember if it was part 1 or 2.

I had to run out earlier. Part 2 of Dr. Phil.

The picture of where Gabby was found and the small cross is at the 35:44 mark in this video:

 
  • #619
The statute grants concurrent jurisdiction with the U.S. federal government. Not one or the other, but both have jurisdiction. See: Criminal Jurisdiction in the National Parks - A Clarification (uwyo.edu)

IMO.
But this isn't a crime against the US. I think they're gonna kick this to the state. Could be wrong. Would not be the first time! Lol

Edit: I forgot about the fact that they already have fed charges pending. @dacjess just pointed that out. If they tried this piecemeal I'd be surprised. MOO
 
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  • #620
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