Brian Laundrie’s notebook reveals he took responsibility for Gabby Petito’s death

Brian Laundrie’s notebook has revealed he took responsibility for fiance Gabby Petito’s death, according to the FBI.

Brian Laundrie’s notebook has revealed he took responsibility for Gabby Petito’s death before taking his own life, according to the FBI.

In a statement released on Friday, the agency said no one else was involved other than her fiance Laundrie, 23.

“All logical investigative steps have been concluded in this case,” Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider from FBI Denver said in the statement shared to Twitter.

“The investigation did not identify any other individuals, other than Brian Laundrie, (to be) directly involved in the tragic death of Gabby Petito.”

Stream more than 20 global & local news sources with Flash, Australia’s biggest news streaming service. New to Flash? Try 14 days free >

Gabby Petito’s fiance Brian Laundrie took responsibility for her death, according to the FBI.

According to the FBI, written statements were found in Laundrie’s notebook – one of the items found near his remains – that revealed he claimed responsibility for Petito’s death, WFLA reports.

“Upon further search of the area, investigators found human remains later confirmed to be Mr Laundrie, along with a backpack, notebook, and a revolver. A review of the notebook revealed written statements by Mr Laundrie claiming responsibility for Ms Petito’s death,” the statement read.

Laundrie had sent text messages between his and Ms Petito’s mobile phone in the days after she was strangled last summer in an attempt “to deceive law enforcement by giving the impression Ms. Petito was still alive”.

The 22-year-old went missing late last year during a cross-country trip with Laundrie. Her body was found on September 19 at a Wyoming campground, with an autopsy determining she’d been strangled.

The FBI stated its primary focus throughout the investigation was to bring justice for Ms Petito and her family. 

Police say Laundrie’s notebook revealed he took responsibility for Gabby’s death.

“The public’s role in helping us in this endeavour was invaluable, as the investigation was covered in the media around the world,” it read.

“On behalf of the FBI, I want to express my deepest appreciation to the public for the thousands of tips that were provided during the investigation, and to our local, state and federal law enforcement partners for their work throughout the investigation.”

Ms Petito’s family, who met with the FBI in Tampa on Thursday, also released a statement through their lawyer shortly before the police announced its findings.

It revealed that they had “no doubt” that Laundrie murdered her.

“We truly appreciate the FBI’s diligent and painstaking efforts in this extremely complicated case. The quality and quantity of the facts and information collected by the FBI leave no doubt (that) Brian Laundrie murdered Gabby,” the statement said.

The FBI will now work on closing the investigation.

Gabby’s family released a statement saying they had ‘no doubt’ she was murdered by Laundrie.

Ms Petito was reported missing by her parents on September 11 after her fiance, Brian Laundrie, returned from their cross-country road-trip to his home in North Port without her.

A search was organised of a remote area within the Grand Teton National Park and the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

Laundrie, 23, had returned to his parents’ Flordia home alone where he refused to address the last time he saw her.

He quickly became the sole person of interest in the case before he disappeared, too.

The body of 22-year-old Gabby Petito was found near a campground in Wyoming.

Instead, on September 14, Mr Laundrie released a statement through a lawyer saying that while the search for Ms Petito was under way in Wyoming, he and his parents would be “remaining in the background” of the investigation.

A backpack belonging to Brian Laundrie was discovered near the area where the remains were found. Picture: Fox News

In response, Ms Petito’s parents – Nichole Schmidt and Joe Petito – also issue a statement accusing Laundrie of refusing to tell them when and where he last saw their daughter.

On September 17, Mr Laundrie’s parents informed police their son had been missing for three days after saying he was going for a hike in Carlton Reserve, north of their home in North Port.

On September 19, 2021 - two days into a manhunt for Laundrie, a search team located the remains of Ms Petito at the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area, near where she and Laundrie had been seen together.

Ms Petito, 22, was found approximately three weeks after her last known communication, the FBI said in a statement.

Laundrie’s remains were then found at a nearby nature preserve on October 20. A medical examiner later determined he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.