60 | Media Circus: Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie
60| MEDIA CIRCUS: GABBY PETITO AND BRIAN LAUNDRIE
In the heart of America's wild landscapes, a young couple set out on a dream adventure, capturing their journey through breathtaking vistas and intimate moments. But as their picturesque road trip unfolded, it transformed into a haunting tale of love, deception, and disappearance that captivated the nation. What hidden truths lurked beneath their sun-kissed smiles? Join us as we delve into a saga of unanswered questions and unravel the chilling mysteries that turned a dream into a nightmare.
Welcome back to tragedy with a view
I am your host kayla and welcome to another free solo episode - again thank you for sticking around - I will probably have some more solo episodes coming up just due to schedule conflicts and rolling off the holidays and just trying to get something back on track.
Again, coming in February is the Girl gone running series. Tell all your friends.
And now, to the story, which is one you are likely familiar with and I can guarantee you have heard the names Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie.
Before we really get into this episode i do want to mention that we talk about suicide in this episode. Please, if you are struggling, know that you life is worth while, even though what you are going through feels insurmountable - please before making any decisions contact the national suicide prevention hotline by calling or texting the number 988.
Gabby Petito was born on March 19, 1999, in Blue Point, New York. She was a free-spirited young woman who loved travel, art, and nature. Gabby was the oldest of six siblings and step siblings and was known for her vibrant personality and infectious smile. I mean, just look at any photo of her and you will be able to understand what drew people to her.
Gabby was easy to like from her free-spirited personality, to her determination to accomplish any goal she set for herself.
She graduated from Bayport-Blue Point High School in 2017 and later moved to Carolina Beach, North Carolina, where she worked as a hostess and in the kitchen of a restaurant.
It was here, In 2019, Gabby re-met Brian Laundrie, and the two quickly became inseparable. They had known each other in high school, but after graduating Brian and his parents moved to Florida. The pair shared a passion for adventure and their conversations pretty quickly took a focus of setting out on a cross-country road trip, where Gabby would document their journey on social media. Gabby created a YouTube channel called "Nomadic Statik" where she posted videos about their travels.
Brian Laundrie was born on June 22, 1998, in North Port, Florida. He grew up in a close-knit family and was known to be an outdoors enthusiast who enjoyed hiking and camping.
Brian was a student at North Port High School and later attended the University of South Florida, where he studied criminology. He was also an aspiring writer and artist, often creating dark and violent-themed artwork.
Some of his drawings included images of the Grim Reaper leading sheep to slaughter, and other disturbing imagery with phrases like "trust no one" and "kill". These pieces of art, along with his writings, provided a glimpse into his troubled state of mind.
It's unsettling to think about, but it does shed light on the complexities of his character and the tragic events that unfolded.
Brian asked Gabby to marry him on July 2, 2020 and then a year later the couple set out on their cross-country road trip on July 2, 2021, with the plan of exploring some of the most beautiful national parks in the western United States. Their journey was meant to be a grand adventure, capturing the essence of "van life" as they traveled in a converted camper van.
Their plan was originally to be gone for 4 months and each of their parents were excited for them and to see their relationship grow and there was no animosity or tension between the families at all. In fact, brians parents had welcomed her into their home after gabby moved from north carolina to florida, and then before setting out, Gabby and Brian stayed with her parents in new york.
Neither of the families saw anything that indicated there was a troubled relationship simmering beneath the happy exterior.
Their itinerary included stops at national parks in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. They wanted to immerse themselves in nature, hike through scenic trails, and create lasting memories together.
The van they used for their trip was purchased by Gabby in December 2020 and she and Brian set out to convert the white 2012 Ford Transit Connect van for their journey, outfitting it with a minimalist design to make the most of the limited space.
They shared this process on their social media pages and really began to grow a following.
Gabby and Brian’s first national park visit was Monument Rocks in Kansas. Monument Rocks, also known as the Chalk Pyramids, are a stunning natural landmark located in Gove County, Kansas. These towering chalk formations, which date back to the Cretaceous Period, rise up to 70 feet tall and are rich in fossils. The formations were created by the erosion of ancient sea beds that once covered the region during the Western Interior Seaway.
Designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1968, Monument Rocks are considered one of the Eight Wonders of Kansas. The unique geological features and breathtaking views make it a popular destination for visitors who want to experience the beauty of the American Midwest
They captured some beautiful moments there before continuing their journey to other stunning locations. And while they were gone, Gabby, who was very close to her family, made sure to call at least one of her siblings or one of her parents each day.
After visiting Monument Rocks in Kansas, Gabby and Brian continued their journey to Colorado Springs, Colorado. From there, they visited several breathtaking locations, including the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, located in southern Colorado, is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, some of which rise up to 750 feet high. The park covers more than 149,000 acres and includes a diverse range of landscapes, from vast sand dunes to lush grasslands, wetlands, alpine forests, and even snow-capped mountains.
and then they traveled into Utah’s most stunning and diverse landscapes.
The state's unique geology and dramatic scenery make it a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Zion National Park, and Bryce Canyon National Park were two of their first stops, but it was at Arches National Park that problems began to arise.
The police were called on Gabby and Brian on August 12, while they were in Moab. A passerby reported seeing Brian hitting Gabby near Main Street and called 911 to report a domestic disturbance. The police pulled over their van near the entrance to Arches National Park and conducted an investigation.
The police had received a statement from the caller saying that they saw a man slap a girl, they then ran up and down the sidewalk before the man again hit the girl, after which they both got into the van and drove away.
Once officers arrived they caught Gabby on camera crying while saying that she had been cleaning up the back of the van and sometimes, due to her OCD, she gets hyperfocused on things and can get mean because she is frustrated. This came to head when Gabby was feeling stressed over the pressure to succeed in her blog and videos on youtube and building a website and quitting her job and taking off across the country and this stress caused them to get in a fight that morning. That fight never let up and it got to the point where Brian was trying to take Gabby’s phone, wouldn’t let her in the van, and was trying to drive off without her.
Gabby and Brian were separated for the night, and the police determined that Gabby was the aggressor in the incident. However, an independent review later found that the police made several mistakes, including misclassifying the incident and failing to properly document injuries.
The officers ultimately allowed the couple to continue their trip the next day, but the encounter raised questions about how the situation was handled.
And this is because an independent investigation found that the Moab police made several mistakes during their encounter with Gabby and Brian. The investigation revealed that the police misclassified the incident as disorderly conduct instead of domestic violence, which would have required them to make an arrest or issue a citation. This was potentially in part due to both Brian and Gabby not wanting to press charges against the other, but there was clearly a problem. Additionally, the officers failed to properly document injuries and did not obtain a statement from the initial 911 caller who reported seeing Brian hitting Gabby.
These mistakes raised concerns about whether a different police response could have potentially prevented Gabby's tragic death. The report suggested improvements in the department's policies and training, especially regarding domestic violence investigations.
But as many of us know, Domestic Violence is very complicated and rarely one sided.
Domestic violence is a deeply complex issue because it involves a mix of emotional, psychological, and physical factors. It often occurs within intimate relationships, where trust and love are supposed to be foundational. A few reasons why it's so complicated include:
Emotional Bonds where victims often have strong emotional ties to their abusers, making it difficult to leave the relationship. They may still love their partner and hope for change.
There is Fear and Control where abusers often use thesel tactics to keep their victims from leaving. This can include threats of harm, isolation from friends and family, and financial control.
Domestic violence often follows a cyclical pattern, with periods of calm and affection followed by episodes of abuse. This cycle can create confusion and hope for the victim that things will improve.
Victims may feel ashamed or embarrassed about their situation, fearing judgment from others. This can prevent them from seeking help.
Many victims lack access to resources such as safe housing, financial support, and legal assistance, making it difficult to escape the abusive situation.
And then there are Cultural norms and societal attitudes that can play a role in perpetuating domestic violence. In some cultures, there may be a stigma against leaving a marriage or relationship, even if it's abusive.
These factors, among others, contribute to the complexity of domestic violence and make it challenging to address and resolve. It's important to approach the issue with empathy, understanding, and a commitment to supporting victims and holding abusers accountable.
And as someone who has come out of an abusive situation myself, i can sympathize with how had it can be to recognize the patterns of abuse and how much our love and the desire for things to get better can cloud over and hide the truth of the matter.
And the truth is that it does not get better without professional help. Even then, a person has to know they are making mistakes and actively work to change them. It is a long and hard process and not one that many relationships overcome.
After their visit to Arches National Park, Gabby and Brian traveled to Canyonlands National Park, also in Utah. They continued to explore the stunning landscapes and shared their experiences on social media.
Then they visited Mystic Hot Springs in Utah, where they enjoyed soaking in the natural hot springs and exploring the surrounding area before continuing their journey.
But then, Brian returned to Florida without Gabby on August 17. He flew from Salt Lake City to Tampa, to visit his parents' home and stayed there for about six days before flying back to Utah on August 23. This was confirmed by Brian’s sister Cassie who also mentioned that Brian didn’t say anything to them about the fight and law enforcement separating him and Gabby that was just days prior. In fact, he wasn’t acting like anything was amiss at all.
After leaving Utah, Gabby and Brian traveled to Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. This was one of their last stops before Gabby's tragic disappearance. They were seen at the park on August 25, and this was the last location where Gabby posted on social media.
But, on August 27, Brian and Gabby were again seen arguing while they were eating at The Merry Piglets Mexican Grille in Jackson Wyoming. Brian was clearly angry and Gabby was audibly crying. And not only were they behaving this way with each other, but Brian continually got up and left the building before storming back in and behaving rudely toward Gabby, the hostess, and the other staff.
Unfortunately, though, this location does not have video surveillance.
Even though Gabby called one of her family members every day, and she was close with her family, it seems she did not tell her family about these problems. Gabby did not call her parents on a daily basis, so the last time that Gabby called her father was August 21, which was a couple of days before Brian returned from his visit to Florida. So it took some time before anyone noticed when Gabby stopped calling to check in.
It was on August 30 that Brian allegedly used Gabby’s phone to text Gabby’s parents that they were entering Yosemite and they didn’t have cell phone reception.
But, the truth was that Brian drove Gabby’s van back to Florida on September 1. He returned to his parents' home in North Port, Florida, without Gabby, which raised immediate concerns among her family and friends.
Gabby’s family realized she was missing on September 11. This was clear when a text from Gabby’s phone went to her mother saying that she had received her grandfather’s voicemails and calls and asked for someone to check on him.
This on its own is not alarming. What was though, was that instead of calling him grandpa or grandfather, she called him by his name, Stan. Which is something she never did before. But you know who did call him Stan? Brian.
Police went to Brian’s home that same night where they asked to speak with Brian and the family to try to get some ideas where Gabby might be - and they were quote “essentially handed the information for their attorney.”
It was within hours that the police came back to Gabby’s parents and let them know that Brian was in Florida, Gabby was not with them, and they were insisting any questions go through their attorney. Which raises red flags everywhere.
It has been alleged that Brian Laundrie sent text messages to Gabby Petito's family from her phone after her death. According to court documents, he sent texts pretending to be Gabby to make it appear as though she was still alive. For example, the message that was sent referring to Gabby's grandfather by name. There were also messages claiming there was no service in Yosemite National Park to deceive her family into thinking she was still alive and in California - INSTEAD of in Florida where her van and fiance were.
This behavior was part of an effort to hide the fact that Gabby had passed away on August 27, the last day that anyone had seen her alive. But, brian was seen after this and he was behaving oddly.
One of those things was that Brian called his parents on this day and spoke to them at length - probably trying to get advice on what to do. This was a Friday - which I believe is important. Because on Sunday, August 29, Brian’s parents called their attorney and then sent him a retainer on Thursday September 2.
Given my background in law offices, I can tell you that that week lines up for how long it would take to draft a letter to the client containing an agreement and an understanding of the services being provided. The client, Brian’s parents in this case, would then sign and return this agreement with the retainer. So this is very clear evidence that the retainer and the conversations would be related to why Brian returned to Florida, alone, in Gabby’s van, on September 1.
Their attorney also… which I believe gives away that they knew where Gabby’s body was despite their absolute silence when Gabby’s family begged them for information. And this was that their attorney, Steven Bertolino, contacted the public defender’s office in the county in Wyoming where Gabby’s body would later be found. He did this the same day he received their retainer September 2.
Further, there is allegedly a letter in Roberta’s handwriting to Brain stating that Roberta was going to “bring a shovel to help bury the body”. This letter was put inside an envelope that had “Burn after reading” on the outside. Roberta, though, insists that his letter is not related to Gabby.
Gabby is believed to have died in late August 2021, approximately three to four weeks before her remains were discovered on September 19, in Bridger–Teton National Forest in Wyoming. The exact date of her death is not known, but the autopsy revealed that she died from blunt-force injuries to her head and neck, as well as manual strangulation.
The state law prevents anything else being released by the medical examiners office due to the cause and the manner of death. DNA samples were taken by law enforcement, and there is no information related to the condition or specifics of how Gabby’s body was found other than she had been in the wilderness for 3-4 weeks.
It is speculated that Gabby was likely murdered on or around the 27th of August.Of course we can not know for sure but this is the date that is being given. Partially because she was seen prior to this date but also because it was this date where Brian was seen behaving oddly.
Two days after Gabby and Brian were seen fighting in the mexican grill, on August 29, two people picked up Brian as he was hitchhiking near the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area.
The first report came from Miranda Baker who shared her story in a series of Tik Tok videos explaining that she and her boyfriend had picked up Brian on the evening of the 29th while he was walking near Colter Bay, Wyoming. He was clearly looking to hitchhike, and so they picked him up.
He had told them that he had been camping near the Snake River outside of Grand Teton National Park but then the conversation grew angry when he learned that Miranda and her boyfriend were heading toward Jackson Hole, instead of Jackson. It was near Jackson Dam that he demanded they stop and let him out - which they gladly did.
In a really odd event - Brian offered to pay them $200 for the ride.
Then, Norma Jean Jalovec picked up Brian not far from here and what could only be determined as minutes later- and gave him a ride to the Spread Creek Dispersed camping area. He insisted that she drop him off at the gate to the area, despite her knowing that his camp site was still over a mile away. Norma Jean offered to take him father twice before he offered to pay her for the ride and got out of her vehicle to walk the rest of the way.
Gabby’s remains were finally located in the same area that these two people witnessed Brian behaving oddly, which was near the spread creek dispersed camping area near the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
On September 1, Brain returned to his parent’s home in Florida and he was pretty quickly identified as a person of interest, especially after it became apparent that he had used Gabby’s bank accounts and paid more than $1,000 from them.
The FBI was tasked with keeping an eye on Brian, but that seemed to be a bit of a questionable job. According to a public affairs email that was sent to Judge Hunter, Brian’s father had a clear connection with the FBI which insinuates that these next events might have had a connection.
The FBI, which was watching Brian, saw him leave and then come home on September 15. But it was after Brian had been reported missing that they realized that the person they had actually seen was not Brian, but instead his mother, Roberta.
Brian was 5 foot 8 inches tall and while it is hard to tell exactly what caused the FBI to become confused,
Some of the confusion surrounding Roberta and the FBI mainly stemmed from miscommunication and assumptions. Initially, law enforcement was under the impression that Brian Laundrie was at home when he was reported missing. This misunderstanding was partly due to a lack of clear communication between the Laundrie family's attorney and the authorities.
Additionally, there were some discrepancies in the reported timeline of events, which added to the confusion. For example, the Laundrie family initially reported in their September 17th missing persons report that Brian left home on September 14, but later stated he actually left on September 13. These inconsistencies contributed to the overall confusion during the investigation
And apparently Brian was posting on instagram that he was alive and in Switzerland and Russia during the time that he was missing - and ultimately found dead.
In another confusing twist, Brian’s grave memorial was created prior to him being found on October 20, 2021.
And this is where his father’s FBI connection comes into play: Christopher Laundrie was a retired FBI agent and some believe that Brian was entered into the witness protection program to protect him from being sued.
It was also the FBI that announced their investigation into the remains found in Myakkahatchee creek environmental park , more specifically, on a trail he frequented in Myakkahatchee creek environmental park which butts up were those of Brain’s and that he in fact passed due to a self inflicted gunshot wound.
With his personal items in the ares he was found included a notebook which contained the statement that:
“I heard a splash and scream, i could barely see. I couldn’t find her for a moment, shouted her name. I found her breathing heavily gasping and —- was freezing cold.”
He then explains how he pulled her from the water. Gabby had a welt on her head that was growing and she was expressing pain but was confused and couldn’t explain where she was hurt other than there was pain in her feet and wrists. She was also freezing and shaking violently and for a time while Brian carried her, she moaned with pain.
This, though, is consistent with hypothermia - though we know that people come back from mild hypothermia pretty easily.
Brian continues on to say quote “I ended her life, i thought that it was merciful and that it was what she wanted, but i see now all the mistakes i made and panicked. I was in shock. But from the moment I decided, took away her pain, I knew I couldn't go on without her.”
Brain begins to wrap up his statement by saying that he knew he could not live long without gabby and that he just wanted to spend the days he had left with his family.
He concludes this letter with “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, every moment we could have shared. I am sorry for everyone’s loss”.
Local authorities as well as federal agents had been searching the 25,000 acre nature reserve since he was reported missing on September 17. And this was in part due to the charges against him for using not one, but two of gabby’s financial accounts in the days that followed her disappearance and what we came to learn was actually her death.
Now, ignoring the fact that Brian’s body had not been discovered sooner because the area he was found in was in fact underwater in the weeks prior to the discovery. But if we don’t ignore that, I have questions about how they found the notebook was still legible.
To me, and this is purely my opinion, but it was after Brian went missing that his family finally broke their silence and issued a statement that they could now understand what Gabby’s family was going through. And quite honestly - that is an insult. There are two kinds of people in this world - one who experiences something terrible and actively tries to prevent it from happening to others because they hold compassion in their hearts and don’t want others to experience the pain and trauma which they felt. And then there are the others who believe that because they went through something horrendous, others should too.
And Brian’s family definitely feels like the later mindset.
Not to mention, the entire situation very much feels like Roberta was calling the shots and was the ringleader in gaslighting Gabby’s family into believing that they don’t know anything and the fact that Gabby, their soon to be daughter in law, someone who they previously, at least pretended, to love and care for, was missing was portrayed as nothing of concern to them.
This search for Gabby, though, did not end only with Gabby. While it is clear that the media absolutely favors young, attractive women who go missing, Gabby’s case still got national attention and the urgency seen in the information being provided was unlike any other missing person’s case.
According to the National Crime Information Center, and as of December 2023, there are 96,955 active missing person cases in the united states. Many of these cases never get their time on the news or in front of people in any way. Most of which are people who do not meet the young - attractive - upper-middle class stance.
For example, from the time span between 2011 and 2020 710 indigenous people went missing from the same area and the media attention for them is nearly non-existent.
But, because of the sheer amount of interest in this case, and the volume of those searching for Gabby - 5 other bodies were found of missing persons.
Of course, in situations like this there are so many more questions than answers and we will never have those answers. Could Brian and his family cooperate and provide some clarity and answers that we otherwise will never have? Yes, but they instead chose to do the same as many people, and that is to protect themselves and those they love.
Gabby was 22 years old when she was killed, and Brian was 23 when he took his own life. And with their loss we're left with a profound sense of sorrow and reflection. The tragic deaths of Brian and Gabby have touched many lives, revealing a story that is both heart-wrenching and complex. While we've sought answers, the reality is that some questions may never be fully answered. This situation reminds us of the deep and often painful uncertainties in life.
My thoughts are with the families and friends affected by these events. It is my hope that, in time, they can find some semblance of peace amidst the heartbreak. And of course for every person who is loving a person who is missing- while the search for them can often feel overwhelming and impossible, I hope you get the answers you seek.
As always, thank you for listening. Please take a moment to rate or review my podcast wherever you listen. I really appreciate it.
Until next week,
Bye!
Sources:
court documents filed in Sarasota County, Florida. Case no. 2022 CA 1128 SC
https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/coroner-reveals-precisely-how-gabby-petito-was-killed/
https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/gabby-petito-autopsy-results-10-12-21/index.html
https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/16/us/gabby-petito-timeline-missing-case/index.html
https://www.npr.org/2022/01/22/1075058668/fbi-gabby-petito-brian-laundrie
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Gabby_Petito
https://www.the-sun.com/news/3767269/brian-laundrie-sinister-artwork-grim-reaper-gabby-petito/
http://www.kansastravel.org/monumentrocks.htm
https://www.visitoakleyks.com/monument-rocks
