Shocking Witness Account: Brian Laundrie's Erratic Behavior Before Gabby Petito's Death!

Details continue to emerge about Gabby Petito’s final days.

A witness asserts that they spotted Gabby and Brian Laundrie, who later became her murderer, during their trip to Moab, Utah on August 12, 2021 – only a few days prior to Gabby’s death, according to the latest FBI document.

According to a report dated September 2021 (the month when Gabby’s body was discovered), an unnamed witness claimed, as seen in documents viewed by TopMob News, that they and their family drove past Gabby and Brian who were parked on the roadside. After observing Brian strike Gabby, the family reversed course to park opposite the couple, aiming to check on Gabby’s wellbeing.

According to the text, during the period when [redacted] and his relatives were watching the couple, it stated that the man exhibited erratic behavior. He would intermittently open and slam doors, and frequently moved about inside the vehicle.

According to the witness, it seemed as if Brian was trying to convince or implore Gabby, and at a certain moment, he attempted to embrace her; however, she rejected his advance by pushing him off.

In the end, he forced the women’s legs into the passenger compartment of the van, shut her door, and moved to the driver’s seat himself,” the text went on. “Later, the man placed his face in his hands, and it seemed that both passengers were weeping.

The document indicated that the witness and his relatives decided against involving law enforcement in the incident. However, based on records related to the case (including Netflix’s recent docuseries titled “American Murder: Gabby Petito”) it has been established that police were contacted on the same day following a report by a witness who saw Brian striking Gabby while they were parked on the side of the road. Footage from the officers’ body cameras later revealed Gabby admitting responsibility for the altercation.

Eventually, at the tail end of August, it was Gabby who went missing, while Brian made his way back home to Florida without her. Following the discovery of her body, investigators concluded that Gabby had been murdered by Brian. The autopsy report indicated that her death was ruled a homicide due to manual strangulation and blunt-force injuries sustained on her head and neck.

After several weeks back in Florida on his own, it was Brian who ultimately vanished. In October, his skeletal remains were discovered, and his death was determined to be a suicide.

Right beside me lay a waterproof sack housing a journal that chronicled the heart-wrenching last moments of Gabby, a 23-year-old who, as I understand it, sustained injuries during a hike. In her final plea, she expressed a desperate wish to alleviate her suffering. It was at this point, in my journal, I recorded, “I took action to relieve her from her agony.

In contrast to what Brian claims, his account of the events seems to be considered untruthful, as outlined in Netflix’s documentary titled “American Murder: Gabby Petito.

In the series, Jim Schmidt, Gabby’s stepfather, pointed out that none of Brian’s accounts were accurate according to the findings from Gabby’s autopsy. The primary cause of her death was strangulation, and there was nothing at all similar to what he had claimed.

For more bombshells from the series, keep reading.

According to Nichole Schmidt, Gabby Petito’s mother, Brian Laundrie appeared a bit socially awkward yet extremely courteous, as depicted in Netflix’s ‘American Murder: Gabby Petito’.

Jim Schmidt remarked that it was rather silent. However, Joe Petito countered by saying that Brian had shaken hands with him and made eye contact.

Jim Schmidt observed the silence, but Joe Petito pointed out that Brian had shaken his hand and met his gaze.

Gabby and Brian began their relationship post-high school, it was love at first sight as he’d often recount to friends about the instant he spotted her outside a deli and abruptly stopped to chat with her. Within just under nine months of dating, she relocated to Florida with him to be near his family in December 2019.

In Florida, Gabby’s friend Rose Davis expressed that it seemed as if a parent was monitoring them during their first encounter with both Rose and Brian. She found the situation rather strange. Brian was described as being quite pleasant, but Rose recalled discussing with her mother later on that there was something unusual about him.

As our friendship grew, it became increasingly apparent what Rose said, that Brian had a very mysterious, shadowy aspect to his personality.

In July 2020, Brian suggested something. Nicole learned that Gabby was engaged as a result of Roberta Laundrie, Brian’s mother, posting about it on Facebook.

“She didn’t want to tell anybody,” Nichole said. “I thought that was really strange.”

Gabby’s stepmother, Tara Petito, expressed a bit of surprise that Brian hadn’t sought Joe’s permission before proposing to their daughter.

Initially, Gabby was brimming with joy and enthusiasm. However, over time, her initial excitement seemed to dwindle a bit, according to Nichole.

As an ardent admirer, I can’t help but reminisce about the time when Gabby found joy in her role at Taco Bell – a job that was more than just a paycheck for her; it was a stepping stone towards her cherished white 2012 Ford Transit Connect van. However, as the days went by, I couldn’t help but notice Brian expressing feelings of neglect and an overbearing sense of possession towards Gabby, according to her own words.

In their text conversations depicted in the show, Brian expressed disdain for Gabby’s occupation by referring to her coworkers as “undesirable individuals,” and he found it distasteful that she had joined such a group, using explicit language.

She skillfully made him feel guilty for making her feel this way, leading her to believe she didn’t deserve Brian’s affection. Rose explained, “That was exactly what he intended.

In Rose’s words, “She seemed to awaken before embarking on her van life, and as things progressed, Gabby grew increasingly agitated – it felt like everything was starting to make sense for her.

Nevertheless, Brian appeared friendly in the video that Gabby captured when they started their VanLife journey in July 2021.

However, as per Rose’s account, he wasn’t particularly supportive of his fiancée’s aspirations and primarily accompanied her more for personal gain rather than genuine interest in her dreams.

Rose mentioned that if he could remove her from her job, he’d be the only one in her life. Soon after, they both vanished from the scene.

In my expert opinion, Rose shared with me that Brian had expressed doubts about her vlog concept, suggesting it might be foolish. However, she clarified that his concern seemed to stem from the fact that raw truth could be captured on camera. There’s a chance he might slip up or react inappropriately while filming is ongoing.

On August 12, 2021, someone who saw the incident phoned 911 to report a man striking a woman by the roadside in Moab, Utah. After the altercation, they got into a vehicle and drove away, eventually hitting a curb with the van.

Footage captured by police body cameras during their interaction with Brian and Gabby on that particular day was shown several weeks afterwards as part of the inquiry into Gabby’s outcome.

However, it’s surprising that Gabby appeared to accept blame for the physical altercation, explaining to the police that she was suffering from high anxiety and severe OCD, stating that Brian was particularly stressful for her, yet she had been attempting to keep him composed.

According to the body camera footage, Brian stated that he had scrapes on his face because he was attempting to keep Gabby at bay while she tried to grab the car keys from him.

In the recording, when the officer questioned Gabby about the bruises on her face and arm, she repeatedly responded, “I don’t know.” However, she asserted that she had been arguing with him, and later informed the authorities, “It seems like I may have struck him first.

According to the video evidence, one officer said to the other that “it seems like she is the clear instigator in this situation.

As a dedicated follower, I was guided by a police officer to a local hotel, renowned for providing sanctuary to those affected by domestic violence, while Gabby was handed the van keys and informed about a location where she could access an affordable shower, supposedly to help her relax and alleviate some stress.

The pair were instructed not to communicate or text each other until the following day, but they ended up meeting again that very evening and quickly set off for Salt Lake City.

In the show, Rose mentioned, “I didn’t learn about their argument in Moab from her directly, but I’ve noticed her that distressed before, and it’s usually due to him.

Reflecting on the moment she learned about the 911 call and saw the police footage for the first time in September, Gabby’s mother Nichole stated in the series, “I saw my daughter looking terrified beyond words. It was at that point that I understood the situation was far more dire than I had ever imagined.

Seeing my daughter in distress while the officers were jesting with Brian, I found it hard to comprehend why she was being regarded as the instigator instead,” Nichole explained further.

Gabby’s former partner, Jackson (no surname mentioned), shared in the series that she contacted him unexpectedly on August 22, 2021. They had been together for approximately a year before she began dating Brian, he pointed out. They had even discussed embarking on the #VanLife journey together. As a result, upon learning about her trip with Brian, he felt a tinge of nostalgia, but also joy for her.

She wrote in the series, “I suspect you wouldn’t want to hear from me, of all people.” She also mentioned that she would be alone until tomorrow and requested a conversation before then if it was possible.

He later considered her reaching out “a cry for help.”

In conversation with Jackson, Gabby suggested they had a disagreement, as he remembered, and mentioned her intention to depart from Brian. However, she needed to decide on the timing, which she shared with him.

According to Jackson, she seemed uncertain about his actions or capabilities. It appeared as if she wanted to escape, but was unsure of the best way to do so.

On August 27th, Gabby messaged him via Snapchat, mentioning that being in Jackson Hole, Wyoming brought back memories of him. She also phoned him at 1:45 p.m. the same day, according to Jackson, but he was occupied at work and couldn’t take the call. This marked the last communication they had.

He mused, “Perhaps if I had taken that phone call, things might have turned out differently or I could have provided assistance.

On August 27th, Gabby messaged her mother: “I’m doing well. I managed to persuade Brian to go camping in the forest so I can have the vehicle to myself. It turns out he wanted to do that anyway. Frankly, I don’t mind. He offered me the car if I paid him for it.

In the text, Nicole questioned whether they were ending their relationship. To this, Gabby responded, “I’m not splitting up; instead, I mentioned that I might earn more as a single female van dweller. I’m currently on my way to a camping spot.

Subsequent messages to Gabby remained unanswered. On August 30th, Nichole received a text from her daughter’s phone that seemed odd to her because it used the name “Stan” instead of the usual term of endearment, “grandpa.

After not receiving a response from Gabby since our last conversation, I reached out to Brian’s mother, Roberta, on September 10th. However, I didn’t get any reply. When I tried again, I noticed that the chat bubble changed from blue to green. To me, this suggests either Roberta’s phone was turned off or perhaps I might have been blocked.

In the series, Gabby’s father, Joe, made attempts to reach out to Roberta and Brian’s father, Chris Laundrie, as well as his sister Cassie Laundrie. However, these efforts were unsuccessful, as Joe stated in the show. Additionally, he mentioned that he had also texted them about contacting the police.

Laundrie family attorney Steven Bertolino told The Sun in a statement after its Feb. 17 premiere that the docuseries “contained many inaccuracies, incorrect juxtapositions of timelines, and misstatements and omissions of fact—perhaps deliberate to capture their ‘truth’, perhaps due to simple error.”

From my professional viewpoint, I’ve observed a fascinating dynamic between Chris and Roberta Laundrie: they both hold steadfast to their unique perspectives, making it challenging for me, or perhaps anyone else, to fully comprehend each side without the distractions of noise and mistrust. Yet, it’s crucial to emphasize that there were no conflicting accounts provided by Chris and Roberta in our discussions.

Prior to the broadcast of TopMob News, their lawyers for the Laundrie family were contacted, but there was no response received. The series mentioned that, through legal representation, the couple chose not to offer any comments. (At that point in time, Cassie shared with journalists that she and her spouse were receiving information about the case from media sources and remained unaware of what was happening with her parents or brother. “We are just as distressed, frustrated, and heartbroken as everyone else,” she expressed.)

On September 11th, law enforcement officials visited the residence of Roberta and Chris in North Port, Florida, to gather any details they might have regarding Gabby’s location.

On that particular night, the officers’ body camera recordings depict Chris informing them that Brian was indoors. He remained silent and suggested they get in touch with the family’s legal representative.

From the available video and audio evidence, authorities in North Port and Suffolk County, where Gabby’s family resided, found themselves uncertain about their next steps, as they hadn’t uncovered any solid evidence of a criminal act at that point.

However, since the vehicle that Brian and Gabby were using was left parked in the Laundry’s driveway, and as Gabby was the sole name on the title, the authorities swiftly towed it away.

Upon discovering these facts, Nicole remembered from the series, “My body kept trembling uncontrollably…I sensed something terrible had occurred.

Added Gabby’s dad Joe, “We started screaming.” Stepmom Tara said, “I collapsed.”

friend Rose admitted, “Honestly, I completely lost my cool. I found myself shouting, ‘What on earth has he done? Hasn’t he done something, what exactly has he done?’

In the retelling of the events, it was mentioned that when authorities visited the Laundrie residence on September 17th, Brian’s parents stated he wasn’t present, they hadn’t laid eyes on him for three consecutive days, and they expressed their concern by reporting him missing. This account was given by FBI Special Agent, Tampa Division, Loretta Bush, in the series.

In the items found at the residence, the agent mentioned, there was a letter from his mom, with her instruction “(dispose of after reading).” or alternatively, “In the household possessions, the agent pointed out, was a letter from his mother that read, ‘(throw away after you’ve read me).’

You’re my guy, and nothing can make me stop loving you. No matter what happens, we’ll always be together. If you ever find yourself in trouble, like being in jail, I’d bake a cake with a hidden tool inside. And if there’s ever a need to get rid of something, let’s say a body, I’d show up with a shovel and some trash bags.

In the series, both Rose and Tara called the letter “disgusting.”

Nichole said, “It made me sick to my stomach.”

In 2023, when inquired about the letter, I, Roberta, shared a statement with NBC News stating that I had penned it months prior to Gabby’s passing. My intention was to reach out to Brian and mend our relationship since he was preparing to depart. I had wished this letter would serve as a reminder of the profound love I harbored for him.

On August 29th, it was stated by Bush that Brian made numerous phone calls to his parents. They spoke frequently. It emerged that he informed them that Gabby was deceased and required legal representation. At this juncture, his parents transferred funds to a lawyer.

In the show, Joe found himself reflecting, “Are you seriously planning to spend $25,000, money you’ve worked hard for, on a lawyer from Wyoming? And you never bothered to find out where she is? That’s just absurd.

Jim, Gabby’s stepfather, claimed that the sum involved wasn’t just for anything trivial; it was more likely intended as compensation for a role in representing someone for murder.

Investigators pointed out that even though Brian continued texting Gabby after she passed away, those messages weren’t read on her phone until he had returned to the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area within Bridger-Teton National Forest – the location where her phone remained.

Special Agent Bush clarified, “Communication between the two devices happened nearly instantly.” He was seen with both phones, engaged in a conversation seemingly directed at himself. It seemed evident that he was attempting to establish an alibi.

On August 30, Brian initiated his journey towards Florida. At various gas stations en route, he utilized Gabby’s debit card to cover fuel expenses, as reported by the FBI. He also sent a text regarding Gabby’s grandfather to her mother and transferred $700 from Gabby’s account to his own via Zelle, making it appear as if she was reimbursing him for the vehicle.

The transaction memo read, “Goodbye Brian, I’ll never ask you for anything again.”

On September 19, 2021, the search party discovered Gabby’s remains within the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area.

As I huddled up on my bed, curled into a ball, I was clad in a worn-out hoodie – a faithful companion through countless late nights of binge-watching. The findings of the medical examiner were chilling: She had met an untimely end, her life extinguished by a ruthless act of strangulation, and her head and neck bore the brutal imprint of blunt force trauma. I couldn’t help but feel the icy grip of despair clutching at my heart as I pondered the tragic fate that befell this beloved figure from afar.

In the show, they observed that her posture wasn’t normal, suggesting to them that she might have been murdered somewhere else, and the crime scene could have been manipulated to appear as it did.

In a different phrasing: During his visit, Gabby’s stepfather, Jim, participated in the search efforts. Upon seeing a photo of her lifeless body, he was overcome with grief, stating it looked as if she had been abandoned like discarded trash by someone who was supposed to cherish her. He then reached out to Nichole, Joe, and Tara.

Joe shared, “I received a call that I would never get to see my daughter anymore,” he said. That day was considered the most difficult one for them by Tara.

Joe went on to say he often reflects on the final moments. He believes Tara must have been terrified, and whenever she felt that way, she’d reach out to him, Jim, or either Nicki. Yet, he’s unsure if it was any of them she called out to in her distress.

On October 20, the skeletal remains of Brian were discovered within the Carlton Memorial Reserve. The medical examiner determined that his death was a result of suicide, caused by a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Nearby, a watertight sack contained photographs of Brian and Gabby, along with a water-resistant journal where he penned down notes about how she had been hurt, and how he ended her life as an act to alleviate her suffering.

But from that moment, he added, “I knew I couldn’t go on without her.”

Additionally, there were letters found inside the sack, among them one that said, “Kindly spare my family any further hardship; they have already lost a child, both a son and a daughter.

In the show, Nichole mused, “It’s been peculiar to me that he chose to exclude my parents from this matter, as they haven’t done anything amiss.

Jim stated that none of Brian’s accounts about the circumstances surrounding Gabby’s death were accurate, as per the results of her autopsy. The only cause of her demise was strangulation, which bore no resemblance to what he had claimed.

In 2022, the court granted Gabby’s family a $3 million compensation as a result of a wrongful death lawsuit they initiated against Brian’s estate. However, another suit they brought up against Brian’s parents, alleging intentional and negligent emotional harm, was resolved in February 2024 through a settlement.

2025-02-25 00:50

Shocking Witness Account: Brian Laundrie’s Erratic Behavior Before Gabby Petito’s Death!

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