HOGP
FILE - This Aug. 12, 2021 file photo from video provided by the Moab, Utah, Police Department shows Brian Laundrie talking to a police officer after police pulled over the van he was traveling in with his girlfriend, Gabrielle "Gabby" Petito, near the entrance to Arches National Park in Utah. The FBI on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021, identified human remains found in a Florida nature preserve as those of Laundrie, a person of interest in the death of girlfriend Gabby Petito while the couple was on a cross-country road trip. (The Moab Police Department via AP, File)
MIAMI (AP) — An attorney for the family of Brian Laundrie said Tuesday that he fatally shot himself in the head.
Laundrie had been the subject of a manhunt for more than a month as investigators searched for clues in the slaying of his girlfriend, Gabby Petito, during their cross-country van trip together.
Attorney Steve Bertolino said in a statement that Laundrie’s parents have been informed that the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head, and the manner of death was suicide.
“Chris and Roberta are still mourning the loss of their son and are hopeful that these findings bring closure to both families,” Bertolino said.
HOGP
FILE - This police camera video provided by The Moab Police Department shows Gabrielle "Gabby" Petito talking to a police officer after police pulled over the van she was traveling in with her boyfriend, The FBI on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021 identified human remains found in a Florida nature preserve as those of Brian Laundrie, a person of interest in the death of girlfriend Gabby Petito while the couple was on a cross-country road trip. (The Moab Police Department via AP)
Found in a Florida nature preserve, Laundrie’s skeletal remains were positively identified last month using dental records.
The discovery of the remains concluded a massive search involving federal, state and local law enforcement that began shortly after Laundrie disappeared Sept. 14, two weeks after the 23-year-old returned alone to his parents’ home in North Port, Florida.
The investigation into Petito’s slaying, however, has not yet concluded. But only Laundrie was ever identified by law enforcement officials as a person of interest in the case.
Petito’s family reported her missing Sept. 11, launching a search that garnered worldwide media attention and, in Laundrie’s case, focused largely on the Carlton Reserve wilderness park near the Laundrie home. It is a densely wooded, swampy area that’s home to alligators, coyotes, bobcats, snakes and numerous other creatures.
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Where does Gabby Petito slaying probe go next?
John Minchillo
Jim Schmidt, stepfather of Gabby Petito, whose death on a cross-country trip has sparked a manhunt for her boyfriend Brian Laundrie, speaks alongside Joseph Petito, father, immediate left, Tara Petito, stepmother, second from right, and Nichole Schmidt, mother, right, during a news conference, Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, in Bohemia, N.Y. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
John Minchillo
Jim Schmidt, stepfather of Gabby Petito, whose death on a cross-country trip has sparked a manhunt for her boyfriend Brian Laundrie, speaks alongside Joseph Petito, father, immediate left, Tara Petito, stepmother, second from right, and Nichole Schmidt, mother, right, during a news conference, Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, in Bohemia, N.Y. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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Where does Gabby Petito slaying probe go next?
Ted Shaffrey
A tearful Nichole Schmidt, the mother of Gabrielle "Gabby" Petito, is comforted by her husband Jim Schmidt during a news conference on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, in Bohemia, New York. Petito, 22, was slain while on a cross-country trip with her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)
Ted Shaffrey
A tearful Nichole Schmidt, the mother of Gabrielle "Gabby" Petito, is comforted by her husband Jim Schmidt during a news conference on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, in Bohemia, New York. Petito, 22, was slain while on a cross-country trip with her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)
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Where does Gabby Petito slaying probe go next?
Ted Shaffrey
Nichole Schmidt, mother of Gabrielle "Gabby" Petito, speaks during a news conference on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, in Bohemia, New York. Petito, 22, was slain while on a cross country trip with her boyfriend Brian Laundrie. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)
Ted Shaffrey
Nichole Schmidt, mother of Gabrielle "Gabby" Petito, speaks during a news conference on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, in Bohemia, New York. Petito, 22, was slain while on a cross country trip with her boyfriend Brian Laundrie. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)
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Where does Gabby Petito slaying probe go next?
Ted Shaffrey
A memorial for Gabrielle "Gabby" Petito is seen in her hometown of Blue Point, New York, on Tuesday, September 28, 202. Petito, 22, was slain while on a cross-country trip with her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)
Ted Shaffrey
A memorial for Gabrielle "Gabby" Petito is seen in her hometown of Blue Point, New York, on Tuesday, September 28, 202. Petito, 22, was slain while on a cross-country trip with her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)
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Where does Gabby Petito slaying probe go next?
Chris O'Meara
FILE - In this Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021 file photo, Michael McPherson, chief of the Tampa FBI office, makes a statement to the media during a briefing in North Port, Fla. The FBI on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021 identified human remains found in a Florida nature preserve as those of Brian Laundrie, a person of interest in the death of girlfriend Gabby Petito while the couple was on a cross-country road trip. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
Chris O'Meara
FILE - In this Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021 file photo, Michael McPherson, chief of the Tampa FBI office, makes a statement to the media during a briefing in North Port, Fla. The FBI on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021 identified human remains found in a Florida nature preserve as those of Brian Laundrie, a person of interest in the death of girlfriend Gabby Petito while the couple was on a cross-country road trip. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
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Where does Gabby Petito slaying probe go next?
Chris O'Meara
Michael McPherson, chief of the Tampa FBI office, makes a statement to the media during a news conference Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, in North Port, Fla. Items believed to belong to Brian Laundrie and potential human remains were found in a Florida wilderness park during a search for clues in the slaying of Gabby Petito . (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Chris O'Meara
Michael McPherson, chief of the Tampa FBI office, makes a statement to the media during a news conference Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, in North Port, Fla. Items believed to belong to Brian Laundrie and potential human remains were found in a Florida wilderness park during a search for clues in the slaying of Gabby Petito . (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
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Where does Gabby Petito slaying probe go next?
Chris O'Meara
FILE - In this Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, file photo, Supporters of Gabby Petito hold up photos of Gabby after a news conference Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, in North Port, Fla. The FBI on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021 identified human remains found in a Florida nature preserve as those of Brian Laundrie, a person of interest in the death of girlfriend Gabby Petito while the couple was on a cross-country road trip. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
Chris O'Meara
FILE - In this Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, file photo, Supporters of Gabby Petito hold up photos of Gabby after a news conference Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, in North Port, Fla. The FBI on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021 identified human remains found in a Florida nature preserve as those of Brian Laundrie, a person of interest in the death of girlfriend Gabby Petito while the couple was on a cross-country road trip. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
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Where does Gabby Petito slaying probe go next?
Chris O'Meara
Supporters of Gabby Petito gather outside the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, in North Port, Fla. Items believed to belong to Brian Laundrie and potential human remains were found in a Florida wilderness park during a search for clues in the slaying of Gabby Petito . (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Chris O'Meara
Supporters of Gabby Petito gather outside the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, in North Port, Fla. Items believed to belong to Brian Laundrie and potential human remains were found in a Florida wilderness park during a search for clues in the slaying of Gabby Petito . (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
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Where does Gabby Petito slaying probe go next?
Chris O'Meara
North Port police officers block the entrance to the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, in North Port, Fla. Items believed to belong to Brian Laundrie and potential human remains were found in a Florida wilderness park during a search for clues in the slaying of Gabby Petito . (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Chris O'Meara
North Port police officers block the entrance to the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, in North Port, Fla. Items believed to belong to Brian Laundrie and potential human remains were found in a Florida wilderness park during a search for clues in the slaying of Gabby Petito . (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
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Where does Gabby Petito slaying probe go next?
Chris O'Meara
North Port, Fla., police officer block the entrance to the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, in North Port, Fla. Items believed to belong to Brian Laundrie and potential human remains were found in a Florida wilderness park during a search for clues in the slaying of Gabby Petito . (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Chris O'Meara
North Port, Fla., police officer block the entrance to the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, in North Port, Fla. Items believed to belong to Brian Laundrie and potential human remains were found in a Florida wilderness park during a search for clues in the slaying of Gabby Petito . (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
