Her case caused a sensation in the USA and worldwide, now the forensic scientist Brent Blue in Wyoming, where the body of Gabby Petito was found, has confirmed that the 22-year-old blogger was the victim of a homicide. The cause of death: strangulation. The forensics staff also said that Petito's body had probably been lying in the Bridger-Teton National Forest near Jackson for three to four weeks before it was discovered on September 19. An exact time of death is open. After a first quick autopsy, the investigators assumed a crime, but wanted to wait for the final autopsy reports.
The investigating FBI now mainly suspects Petito's fiance and travel companion, the 23-year-old Brian Laundrie.
He has been missing for several weeks and is wanted across the country.
Blue didn't want to give any further details about the investigation status.
“We are only entrusted with determining the cause of death (...).
Who committed the homicide is a matter for the law enforcement authorities, ”he said.
Laundrie had returned to his parents' house in North Port, Florida on September 1 without Petito, driving the van that they both used on vacation - a tour of the USA.
Laundrie's parents told police they last saw their son on September 13, two days after Petito's parents, who live in Long Island, New York, reported her missing.
Laundrie's parents also told investigators that their son may be on his way to the Carlton Reservation, a 25,000-acre game reserve near their home.
The case is also making waves nationally and internationally because the couple documented the trip with numerous pictures and videos on social networks.
The two usually seem happy.
Later, footage from a police officer's body camera showed that the relationship was also in dire straits.
Petito said to the officer that she had an obsessive-compulsive disorder and that there was an argument with Laundrie.