Sarah Al-Arshani
Authorities believe a body found near Grand Teton National Park could be the remains of Gabby Petito.
During a press conference on Sunday night, FBI agent Charles Jones said “human remains were discovered consistent with the description” of Petito near the Spread Creek Dispersed camping area but that they are waiting on forensic confirmation.
The cause of death has yet to be determined, he added.
“Full forensic identification has not been completed to confirm 100% that we found Gabby, but her family has been notified of this discovery,” Jones said.
The FBI, alongside local law enforcement, has been searching for the 22-year-old woman, who was reported missing on September 11. Her mother, Nichole Schmidt, said she last saw Petito via Facetime on August 24.
Schmidt said on August 30 she got a text that said Petito lost service in Yosemite, but she does not believe it was her daughter who sent it. The family said they haven’t heard from her since.
Petito was on a cross-country road trip with her boyfriend Brian Laundrie when she disappeared. Laundrie returned to his family home in North Port, Florida on September 1 and police said he refused to speak with investigators. Authorities named him a “person of interest” in Petito’s disappearance.
Police on Friday said his family reported that he’s been missing since Tuesday. As of Sunday, authorities in Florida are searching for him in the Carlton Reserve.
Brian Laundries lawyer, Steven Bertolino told Insider:” The news about Gabby Petito is heartbreaking. The Laundrie family prays for Gabby and her family.”
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.
Read the original article on Insider