NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Authorities in Wyoming will conduct an autopsy on a body discovered Sunday that is believed to be Long Island native Gabby Petito, who was reported missing earlier this month while on a cross-country van trip with her fiancé, Brian Laundrie.
Law enforcement agencies have spent several days searching for Laundrie—who is a "person of interest" in the case—at a vast nature reserve near his family’s home in Florida after his parents reported him missing Friday. However, police said Monday that they didn't plan to continue a "major search" there.
Here's the latest:
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8:30 a.m., Sept. 20: POLICE SAY NO PLANS FOR 'MAJOR SEARCH' IN FLORIDA RESERVE ON MONDAY
North Port Police in Florida told multiple news outlets Monday morning that they don't plan to conduct a major search of the swampy Florida reserve where they'd been looking for Petito's boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, after he disappeared last week.
"The North Port Police Department currently has no plans to conduct a major search of the Carlton Reserve today," the department said. "All media interviews from our Department are on hold until further notice."
North Port Police public information officer Josh Taylor clarified: "At this time, we currently believe we have exhausted all avenues in searching of the grounds there. Law enforcement agencies continue to search for Brian Laundrie."
The search in Florida has involved multiple law enforcement agencies. Laundrie's parents had told police that they believed their son traveled to the reserve last Tuesday before they reported him missing days later on Friday. Laundrie is a person of interest in the case but has not been accused of a crime.
7:15 a.m., Sept. 20: PETITO’S BROTHER CALLS FOR JUSTICE
Petito’s brother, TJ Schmidt, posted a photo of his sister to Instagram overnight, writing, “I don’t even know what to say. I’m at a total loss. My heart is shattered #justiceforgabby.”
Her uncle, Mike Schmidt, also said in a Facebook post overnight that he has "no words right now as I am numb." He wrote, "Our Gabby was a beautiful, kind, caring young woman with so much ahead of her. We are heartbroken."
7:00 a.m., Sept. 20: AUTOPSY SCHEDULED IN WYOMING
A body believed to be that of Gabby Petito will undergo an autopsy on Tuesday, the Teton County Coroner's Office told Fox News on Monday.
The body was discovered Sunday at the Spread Creek dispersed campsite in Bridger-Teton National Forest, near Grand Teton National Park.
At a press conference Sunday, FBI agent Charles Jones said, “human remains were discovered consistent with the description of Gabrielle ‘Gabby’ Petito.”
The body was found not far from where travel bloggers recorded what they believe to be Petito’s Ford Transit van at the Spread Creek camp area around Aug. 27. Petito’s family said on Facebook that the FBI is aware of the video.
6:00 p.m., Sept. 19: PETITO/SCHMIDT AND LAUNDRIE FAMILIES RELEASE SEPARATE STATEMENTS AFTER BODY FOUND
Richard Stafford, a lawyer for the Schmidt and Petito family, released a statement late Sunday, after a body believed to be Petito’s was found in Wyoming.
“Due to today's developments, we are asking the press and news media to have some decorum and sensitivity for Gabby's family and allow them to grieve. I will be in contact with you when Gabby's family is ready to make a public statement,” Stafford wrote in part.
Steven Bertolino, the lawyer for the Laundrie family, also released a statement. “The news about Gabby Petito is heartbreaking,” he said. “The Laundrie family prays for Gabby and her family.”
Petito’s father, Joe Petito, posted a message to Twitter about his daughter, which included a “heartbroken” emoji. “She touched the world,” he wrote along with a photo of her.
The North Port Police Department, which is leading the investigation, also released a statement. “Saddened and heartbroken to learn that Gabby has been found deceased. Our focus from the start, along with the FBI, and national partners, has been to bring her home. We will continue to work with the FBI in the search for more answers,” the department wrote.
5:40 p.m., Sept. 19: POLICE WRAP UP ANOTHER DAY OF SEARCHING FOR BRIAN LAUNDRIE IN FLORIDA RESERVE
Police concluded another day of searching the Carlton Reserve without finding Brian Laundrie on Sunday. His parents told authorities they believe he traveled to the 24,500-acre park on Tuesday before they reported him missing days later on Friday.
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