Inside why Gabby Petito murder case wasn’t closed as expert says battle over laptops and new evidence could open investigation

The GABBY Petito murder case will remain open while the FBI records every investment step, every interview, and every piece of evidence in case future findings contradict the FBI’s findings.

In mid-January, the FBI concluded that Gabbyboyfriend of Brian Laundrie take responsibility for her death in his notebook was found next to his body after he shot himself.

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It seems at the time the case was closed, but the FBI told The Sun in an email this week that “the case remains open pending administrative action before closing.”

The Bureau declined to comment further.

But David Shapiro – a retired FBI agent and distinguished lecturer at John Jay College of Criminal Justice – peel back the tail and explain what happens before a case is officially closed.

“After this young woman went missing, they conducted an investigation and talked to people and whatever else was done. All that was recorded and became the regulatory record. investigation,” Shapiro told The Sun in an exclusive interview this week.

“The investigative record is then stored electronically and in a paper file… Basically, it scores an i and a slash, but it’s an essential process to preserve integrity. integrity of the investigation.

“Just because the case is closed, the matter isn’t dead yet. New evidence discovered in the future could change everything.”

The process takes at least three months — and many times over — depending on the complexity of the case, Shapiro said.

Gabby Petito’s Timeline

Gabby Petito, 22, was last seen on August 24, leaving a hotel in Utah. Here’s a timeline of Gabby Petito’s disappearance:

• June 2021 – Gabby Petito and fiance Brian Laundrie embark on a cross-country trip across the United States.
• 4th of july – Gabby posted a picture of her barefoot in Gove County, Kansas.
• July 8 – Gabby posted a photo of herself at Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado.
• July 18 – Gabby and Brian posted photos of themselves in Utah’s Zion National Park.
• August 12 – Full body camera footage has been released in September showing Brian and Gabby’s encounters with police in Utah. Police confirmed that no significant injuries were reported.
• August 19 – Gabby and Brian posted a video on their YouTube channel documenting their trip.
• August 24 – Gabby was spotted leaving a hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah.
• August 25th Gabby Facetimes for her mother, Nichole Schmidt, one last time. In a later police report, Schmidt said her conversations with her daughter revealed “more and more stressful“between her and Brian.
• August 25 – Gabby also posted her last Instagram. No position has been given.
• August 27, year Gabby is be seen for what is supposed to be the last time. Witnesses said they saw Brian during an explosive argument with staff at a Jackson Hole restaurant, which brought Gabby to tears.
• August 27 – Four hours later, travel bloggers driving through Grand Teton National Park drove past the couple’s van that was “abandoned” on a dirt road.
• September 1 – Brian returned home Florida without Gabby.
• September 11 – Gabby’s Parents reported her missing to the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office.
• September 14, year Brian’s family released a statement saying he had kept an attorney and would not cooperate with investigators.
• September 14 – Brian is was supposed to be last seen by his family. He told them he was going to go hiking in the Cartlon Reserve but didn’t come back.
• September 15 – Florida North Port Police Announcement Brian is a caring person in case. He was not charged with anything.
• September 16 – Utah police released body camera footage about the police encounter with Brian and Gabby.
• September 17 – Brian’s Parents said they had not seen their son for a few days and reported that he was missing.
• September 18 – Police announcemente they are looking for Brian Carlton Reserve in Florida. Police said they did not find anything.
• September 19 – Authorities in Wyoming said they found a body in Grand Teton National Park. The FBI reports that the body is believed to be Gabby’s but must first complete a full forensic examination for confirmation.
• September 20 – Police execute warrant to search Laundrie’s house, seize His silver mustang and a hard drive may contain “evidence concerning the demonstration that a felony was committed.”
• September 21, year Officials announced they would conduct an autopsy on remains found in Wyoming to confirm whether they belonged to Gabby. Police also continued to search for Laundrie, this time on the Venetian side of the Carlton Reserve.
• September 21 – The FBI reports that the body found in Wyoming has been identified as that of Gabby. The cause of death has not yet been revealed.
• September 21 – The Teton County Coroner’s Office said The official cause of Gabby’s death Still pending but the original mode of death was murder.
• September 22, year Police continue to search Carlton Reserve for a trace of Laundrie but no leads. A professional diving team was called in to assist with the hunt.
• September 23 – Officials have announced a federal arrest warrant for Brian has been released.
• September 26 – by Gabby funeral held on Long Island, New York.
• October 12: Gabby’s autopsy results has been made public. Dr. Brent Blue of Teton County Coroner confirmed Gabby died of strangulation.
• October 20: Laundrie’s personal belongings found at Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park. A medical examiner was called to the scene.
• October 21: FBI confirms found remains have been identified as Laundrie’s.
• November 23: Laundrie’s autopsy revealed he died of a head wound

WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE NOTE?

Proof – especially something as important as Laundrie’s Notebook – may never be released, not even with his family, Shapiro said.

FBI saidliberation report, released in mid-January, Laundrie admitted to killing Gabby in a suicide letter in his notebook before shooting himself.

The Sun filed a Freedom of Information request for this notebook, but was denied by the FBI.

“The records that meet your request are law enforcement records,” the FBI said in response to The Sun’s request for public records.

“There is a pending or future law enforcement action related to these response records, and the release of information could be expected to interfere with enforcement.”

In an interview with Shapiro, days before the FBI responded, Shapiro said that the notebook “will probably be locked and keyed because it’s such an important part of the case.

“His parents can try to get it, but giving them back may be too important, unless the court decides otherwise,” he said.

CAN THIS PROCESS DETERMINATE THE NATURE OF THE BABY’S DEATH?

The cause of death was revealed about a month later Gabby’s body has been found in a forest in Wyoming on September 19, 2021.

Her autopsy revealed that she was strangled for up to 4 weeks before her body was found, but law enforcement has never said whether her murder was premeditated, sudden passion, or spontaneous. guard.

That will likely never be known, Shaprio said.

“You need people with evidence to back it up, and to be honest, some issues can’t be solved,” he said.

“If there’s surveillance, you can probably do it, but there’s only so much law enforcement can do.

“You can try to create a link. You call someone who knows this and has this piece of evidence. Without that, sometimes we don’t know.”

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