911 Caller Recalled Seeing Brian Laundrie Allegedly 'Slapping' Fiancé Gabby Petito Just Weeks Before Her Disappearance
A new development in the Gabby Petito case revealed that a bystander had reported to 911 that he saw what is believed to be Brian Laundrie allegedly “slapping” his fiancé just weeks before she went missing.
In the audio clip, released by Fox News, the caller described what seems to be Petito and Laundrie, who had been traveling in a white van for a cross-country trip together.
“I’d like to report a domestic dispute in Florida with a white van, Florida license plate, white van,” the caller said in the clip.
“We drove by and the gentleman was slapping the girl,” the caller told the operator. “Then we stopped, and they ran up and down the sidewalk, he proceeded to hit her, hopped in the car and they drove off.”
On August 12, someone called the police to report that the couple had seemed to be arguing while in Utah, so authorities separated the couple for the night.
Weeks later, Petito was reported missing on Saturday, September 11, after she never returned home from the couple’s road trip.
On Sunday, September 19, a body that is believed to belong to Petito was found near Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming.
- Gabby Petito's Body Found In Wyoming, Family Lawyer Confirms As Cause Of Death Ruled A Homicide
- Brian Laundrie's Mustang Towed From Family Home After Human Remains Believed To Be Gabby Petito Were Found In Wyoming
- Federal Officials Confirm Human Remains Discovered Near Florida Reserve Belong To Brian Laundrie
An officer from North Port Police announced during a press conference: “Human remains discovered have been consistent with Gabby’s description.”
FBI Supervisory Special Agent Charles Jones also said that “full forensic identification has not been completed to confirm 100% that we found Gabby, but her family has been notified.”
As for Laundrie, the 23-year-old who police say is a person of interest, has been MIA since last week.
His parents told law enforcement that he may have been hiding out in a Florida wildlife area, where searches were conducted all weekend. However, on Monday, Sepetember 19, authorities called off the search, saying that they had "exhausted all avenues."
That same day, the FBI stormed the Laundrie residence after being granted a court-authorized search warrant.
As OK! previously reported, five law enforcement vehicles showed up at the home,around 9:40 a.m., where the suspect's parents were taken from the house into a propel carrier.
