Petito was reported missing on September 11.
The FBI have said they have found “human remains consistent with the description” of missing woman Gabrielle Petito.
The 22-year-old went missing during a trip with her fiance Brian Laundrie, who has since gone missing after being named as a person of interest in the case of her disappearance.
A huge search has been underway for Petito, who had gathered a huge following on Instagram posting about her “van life” travels on Instagram.
Speaking about the development in the investigation, FBI agent Charles Jones told media: “I would like to extend sincere sincere and heartfelt condolences to Gabby’s family.
“As every parent can imagine, this is an incredibly difficult time for her family.
“The cause of death has not been determined.”
Petito and Laundrie had set off on a cross-country trek in a converted van in July. However, Laundrie returned to his home in Florida alone on September 1.
It was on September 11 that Petito’s family filed a missing persons report.
In a tweet, Petito’s dad paid tribute to her, saying that she “touched the world.”
💔#GABBYPETITO she touched the world. pic.twitter.com/DukH7UCTPo
— joseph petito (@josephpetito) September 19, 2021
Jones said: “FBI personnel in coordination with our partners at the National Park Service, the Forest Service, the Teton county sheriff’s office and Jackson police department conducted investigative activity in the vicinity of the Spread Creek dispersed camping area.
“Earlier today, human remains were discovered, consistent with the description of Gabrielle ‘Gabby’ Petito. Forensic identification has not been completed to confirm 100 per cent that we found Gabby, but her family has been notified of this discovery.
“The cause of death has not been determined at this time.”
BREAKING: Officials say human remains were found earlier today consistent with the description of missing 22-year-old Gabby Petito. pic.twitter.com/FcOD93Sbi6
— CBS News (@CBSNews) September 19, 2021
The Guardian reports that on Saturday more than 50 officers, FBI agents and other agency members searched a 24,000-acre reserve for Laundrie, who went missing on Friday.
Last week, local police named him as a person of interest in the investigation.
Before his disappearance he had not spoken to law enforcement.
A spokesman for North Port police said that Laundrie could survive in the reserve for some time.
Bodycam footage released by police in Utah on Friday showed that an officer pulled the couple’s van over on 12 August after it was seen speeding. The footage showed Petito speaking about her mental health to the officer and detailing a recent fight with her boyfriend.
The investigation is ongoing.
Related links:
TikToker ‘picked up Gabby Petito’s fiance alone’ days after she went missing
Police release unsettling video footage of Gabby Petito before disappearance
