Brian Laundrie’s notebook reveals confession for Gabby Petito’s death: ‘I ended her life’

A recently published notebook by Brian Laundrie reveals his admission and the events leading up to her demise.

The attorney for the Laundrie family, Lawyer Steven Bertolino, gave WINK News a copy of the notebook.

Without her, I couldn’t have known the pain I caused when I decided to take her away, but from that moment on, I was in shock. I panicked and now I can see all the mistakes I made. I wanted to know what she desired, and I thought it was merciful. In the end, I ended her life, as confessed in the notebook I read.

DOCUMENT: Please peruse the notebook.

On September 12, 2021, the family of Gabby reported that Ms. Petito was nowhere to be found, prompting the opening of an investigation by the FBI into Gabby’s disappearance. The FBI initiated the investigation.

The FBI collaborated with federal, state, and local authorities to coordinate a search in a secluded region encompassing the Grand Teton National Park and the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

On September 19, 2021, the search team located the remains of Gabby near Dispersed Creek Spread, where Brian Laundrie and she had been seen together at the Area Camping.

As per the FBI, Gabby was discovered around three weeks following her most recent known communication.

ADDITIONAL: Extensive coverage of Gabby Petito.

The Teton County Coroner’s Office concluded that her death was a result of “physical force to the head and neck, as well as manual choking.”

While law enforcement followed up on leads, the investigation quickly focused on Brian Laundrie, who was believed to be the final individual to have encountered her before she disappeared.

In a statement on Friday, Bertolino stated:

These are Brian’s words. I have chosen to release this letter as a matter of transparency, although I will not further comment as there are still pending court proceedings. In January 2022, when the FBI alluded to the note that claimed Brian’s responsibility for Gabby Petito’s death, I mentioned that I would like to share the contents of Brian’s notebook. As part of the FBI’s custody property return, I was given this notebook. Previously, both the Laundries and the Petitos had agreed to exchange items that belonged to their respective children. Today, I met with the Petito family’s attorney, Patrick Reilly, in Tampa to sort through and take possession of Gabby’s personal items along with the FBI.

DOCUMENT: Please peruse the notebook.

Here is a chronological sequence of the investigation:

During his return drive from Wyoming to Florida, Mr. Laundrie unlawfully utilized Ms. Petito’s debit card without permission from August 30 to September 1, 2021, as disclosed by the FBI probe.

After the death of Ms. Petito, several text messages were identified between Ms. Petito and Mr. Laundrie, which indicate that these messages’ content and timing are attempting to deceive law enforcement and give the impression that Mr. Laundrie is still alive.

On September 15, 2021, Mr. Laundrie’s Ford Mustang was found in Myakkahatchee Creek Park North Reserve and Memorial Jr. Carlton Mabry T. In Port Creek, Florida.

On September 17, 2021, Mr. Laundrie’s parents notified authorities about his vanishing soon after law enforcement carried out a wellness inspection at their residence.

Officials began enforcing the law on September 18, 2021. An extensive search was conducted in the park where Mr. Laundrie’s vehicle was parked. However, law enforcement officials were unable to locate Mr. Laundrie. The search of this area was hindered by recent flooding, which caused the area to be submerged. Despite this, remains belonging to Mr. Laundrie were discovered as part of this search.

After Ms. Petito’s demise, the warrant was released in accordance with a Federal Grand Jury indictment for breaching federal statute 18 U.S.C. § 1029(a)(1): “Utilization of Unauthorized Access Devices” concerning Mr. Laundrie’s actions. On September 22, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming authorized a federal apprehension warrant for Mr. Laundrie.

The Laundries furnished personal belongings to the authorities, following a request made by law enforcement through the Laundrie family lawyer, Steven Bertolino, on October 7, 2021. These personal belongings were intended to aid in the exploration of the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park.

When law enforcement officers were present, Mr. Laundrie’s parents discovered an object in the park which was later identified as belonging to Mr. Laundrie. On October 20, 2021, after the water had subsided and the park was reopened, Mr. Bertolino informed law enforcement that Mr. Laundrie’s parents planned to revisit the park to look for Mr. Laundrie.

Upon further investigation, human remains were found in the area searched by investigators, confirming that Mr. Laundrie was responsible for Ms. Petito’s death, as stated in the written statements and revealed through the review of a notebook, a revolver, and a backpack.

Mr. Laundrie succumbed to a self-inflicted gunshot injury. The District 12 Medical Examiner’s Office in Sarasota, Florida disclosed the manner and cause of Mr. Laundrie’s demise on November 23, 2021.