Moab Police Department video shows that an officer stopped the van after it was speeding near Arches National Park.
Inside were Brian Laundrie (23), and Gabrielle Petito (22), who were reported missing by their families a month later. The FBI is currently conducting a nationwide search.
According to police in North Port, Florida where the couple lived and died, Laundrie is considered a “person-of interest” in her case. Laundrie has not been charged but he is not cooperating.
North Port Police Chief Todd Garrison vented frustration at his inability to help Wednesday and pleaded for Laundrie’s lawyer to set up a meeting. The chief tweeted, “Two people went on a trip, and one returned!”
Petito was visibly upset by an officer’s approach on their body camera video.
“We have just been fighting this morning. She reveals some personal issues to him and adds that she has obsessive compulsive disorder, which affects her behavior.
She said, “Some days, OCD is really bad. I was cleaning up and straightening up, and I was apologizing to my husband saying that OCD sometimes frustrates me.”
Laundrie claims that the couple had a minor fight on video. He said that Petito was the aggressor and he didn’t want to pursue domestic violence charges against him.
“I won’t pursue anything because she is my fiancée and I love her. It was a small dispute. “Sorry it had to be so public,” Laundrie said.
Moab police ultimately decided not to file any charges against the couple and instead separated them for the night. Laundrie checked into a motel while Petito stayed with the converted sleeper van.
Petito and Laundrie began their journey across the U.S. from New York’s Long Island in July. Both were born on Long Island. According to their social media accounts they intended to reach Oregon by Halloween, but Petito disappeared in late August after she last contact with her family. She was reported missing from Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.
Police said that Laundrie drove the Ford Transit van from Florida to Florida on September 1 by herself. Petito’s family filed an absence report with the police in Suffolk County, New York last Saturday.
Petito’s parents sent a letter to Laundrie’s family through their attorney Thursday asking them to help locate Petito despite their instincts to protect their son.
The letter stated that “We believe that you know where Brian left Gabby.” We beg you to let us know. We beg you to tell us. How could you let Gabby’s younger siblings and brothers suffer this?
Steven Bertolino (Laundrie’s lawyer) said that the Laundrie family hopes Petito will return safely, but that he has asked them to refrain from speaking with investigators.
Garrison stated Thursday that he cannot speculate on why he isn’t talking but that he has all the pieces we need to find Gabby.
Cassie Laundrie, Laundrie’s sister, said to “Good Morning America” that she was worried in an excerpt from an interview published in advance of Friday’s broadcast. Laundrie stated, “Obviously me and our family want Gabby to find safety.” “She’s my sister, and my children love and cherish her. All I want is for Gabby to return home safe and sound and this to not be a big mistake.”
Garrison stated at a Thursday news conference that the investigation is still a missing persons case and not a murder probe. He also said that no intensive searches had been initiated because it’s unclear where authorities might be looking.
The chief stated that they are still trying to identify geographic areas. “We have a lot information. We are focusing on Gabby.
Joe Petito, the father of the missing woman, was also present at the news conference and urged anyone with information about his daughter to speak up.
“I want help from everyone here. Anything you can do to ensure my daughter’s return home is appreciated. Joe Petito stated, “Nothing else matters right now.”
Authorities are also investigating any connection between Petito’s disappearance, and the still unsolved murders of two women at a Moab campsite.
Six days after the incident between Petito and Laundrie, their bodies were discovered Aug. 18. Crystal Turner, 38, and Kylen Schulte (24), told their friends that they were afraid of a creepy man they saw nearby.
Joshua Taylor, North Port police’s public information officer, said that they are looking into the possibility of a connection. “I haven’t heard of any information linking these cases together. The timing seems suspicious to me. You will never know. It’s not something I will say.
Petito and Laundrie were long-time childhood friends on Long Island. They moved to North Port in 2019, approximately 34 miles (54 km) south of Sarasota, in order to be with their parents.
A YouTube video of eight minutes length titled “Van Life” shows happy scenes and romance from the couple’s trip.
Police said Petito is white and 5-foot-5 (1.6m) tall, weighing 110 pounds (50 kg), and has blonde hair and blue eyes. One of her tattoos reads “let it be” on her forearm.
