The FBI in Denver said Sunday that officials found human remains in Wyoming that is consistent with the description of Gabby Petito, a 22-year-old missing woman.
The cause of death has not been determined as of Sunday, the FBI said. A full forensic analysis has not been done yet but will be done soon. The FBI has asked for privacy for her family at this time.
“As every parent can imagine, this is an incredibly difficult time for the family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with them,” Jones said, also asking that everyone respect the family’s privacy as “they mourn the loss of their daughter.”
Petito, 22, was reported missing on Sept. 11 after she had set out on a cross-country road trip with Laundrie. Her family said they were last in contact with her during the final week of August. Before that, they believe she was in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.
Laundrie, 23, returned home to North Port without Petito in early September.
His family notified the police Friday that they had not seen him since Tuesday. He had left the house that day in his vehicle, believed by police to be a Ford Mustang. He also had his hiking backpack and was headed for the Carlton Reserve, according to Taylor.
At some point, Laundrie’s family found his car at an entrance of the nature preserve and then drove it back to their North Port property.
Authorities continued to search the Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County for Laundrie, but the North Port Police Department said in a tweet Sunday evening that the search has concluded for the day and that there is “nothing to report.”