Authorities recovered decomposing partial re*mains in the Carlton Reserve on October 20, 2021. Those re*mains were confirmed to be those of 23-year-old Brian Laundrie. On February 14, 2022, Sarasota Medical Examiner Dr. Wilson Broussard released the full autopsy report detailing the cause of de*ath and the exact conditions of Laundrie’s body.
Laundrie Died From Gunshot Wound to the Head
Laundrie shot himself in the head, which caused his d*eath.
According to toxicology findings, he had no illegal narcotics in his system.
After the water sank, authorities discovered Laundrie’s body in clear sight. The crime scene did not smell of decay and there was no soft tissue left.
Body Submerged in Water
Laundrie was submerged in “up to three foot of water” for a considerable amount of time following the self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the postmortem reports. Laundrie was buried under water, making it impossible for investigators to locate. His body was half consumed by raccoons, coyotes, rodents, and feral dogs once the water receded.
The report stated Laundrie’s body suffered “extensive carnivore damage.”
Personal Effects Recovered; Laundrie Confessed to Murd*ering Gabby
Additional personal belongings were found by the police around 250 feet from Laundrie’s re*mains. These included a cap bearing the “MOAB Coffee Roasters” brand, two shoes, a white metal ring, a handwritten note, and a pair of green shorts.
A.357 magnum snub nose revolver with two live and one expended round in the chamber was found by the police. One bullet, hidden beneath the earth.
There was also a dry backpack with a notebook in it. In the notebook, Laundrie admitted to k*illing Gabby Petitio.
At the second murder site, the skeleton rem*ains of a cow, two boars, and other animals were also found.
Police also discovered many photos on the ground.
Laundrie’s Skull & Bones
Additional personal belongings were found by the police around 250 feet from Laundrie’s re*mains. These included a cap bearing the “MOAB Coffee Roasters” brand, two shoes, a white metal ring, a handwritten note, and a pair of green shorts.
A.357 magnum snub nose revolver with two live and one expended round in the chamber was found by the police. One bullet, hidden beneath the earth.
There was also a dry backpack with a notebook in it. In the notebook, Laundrie admitted to kil*ling Gabby Petitio.
At the second murder site, the skeleton rem*ains of a cow, two boars, and other animals were also found.
Police also discovered many photos on the ground.
The Disappearance and Murder of Gabby Petitio
In June 2021, Gabby and Laundrie took a road trip across the country. In July, there was a domestic violence incident in Utah that the police responded to, and in September, Laundrie went back to Florida without Gabby. On September 11, 2021, Gabby’s family said she was missing.
For information on where Gabby was, police asked Laundrie. He refused to help with the investigation and instead used his rights under the Fifth Amendment. Soon after, he was not seen or heard from.
In late September, her body was found in Wyoming.
Laundrie was then charged with her de*ath by the police. In Utah, Laundrie was charged, but the charges were dropped in January 2021.
Laundrie’s body was found after a manhunt that lasted for weeks.
Domestic Violence Resources
Domestic violence takes on many forms. It is not always physical but often resorts to violence. If you are in an abusive relationship or know someone who is, help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799.7233 inside the United States.
