Wyoming coroner updates how Gabby Petito's was killed. Here's what he said happened.
Gabby Petito died from strangulation, a coroner in Wyoming announced. The detail sheds more light on how the 22-year-old influence died but not who killed her.
Teton County Coroner Brent Blue made the announcement during an Oct. 12 press conference.
Blue said they estimate that Petito was killed three to four weeks before her remains were found on Sept. 19. That puts her death around late August.
While the announcement sheds light on how Petito died, the suspect’s identity remains unknown. Police have called her boyfriend Brian Laundrie a person of interest in the killing. But they have not been able to speak to him as he went missing during the investigation.
Petito and Laundrie went on a cross-country trip from their Florida home. Together they posted videos and photos on social media about their experience. But, in early September, Laundrie returned home without Petito.
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More than a week later, her family reported the 22-year-old missing and a massive manhunt unfolded. The case has captivated the country.
Many viewed Laundrie as a suspect in the case, and Petito’s remains were found in Wyoming. Her death was ruled a homicide. But Laundrie left his family home before police could speak to him. He was then classified as a missing person.
Police have spent weeks searching for Laundrie as internet sleuths try to help in the investigation.
Laundrie hasn’t been charged in connection to Petito’s death. There is an active federal warrant for his arrest for allegedly using her debit card after her death.
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