In the police cam video posted by Law & Crime, you get the sense of a stressed-out couple; they seem forthcoming and apologetic. Moab police decided that it was a domestic squabble due to mounting tensions. An officer told Gabrielle Petito the couple needed to separate for the night, and he was not going to cite Petito for domestic violence, although she was deemed the one who physically attacked Brian Laundrie. Police put Laundrie in a hotel room and told Petito to get with him in the morning. He also said she should go somewhere else in the camper van. That was August 12.
On August 13, Laundrie posted twice on Instagram for the last time. He said he was at Arches National Park and talked about a lack of biodegradable packaging. He also posted a second pro-environment post. Petito's last post was on August 25 — she is smiling and holding what looks like a knitted pumpkin with the caption, "Happy Halloween." The pair also chronicled their journey via YouTube, and it's all healthy eating, yoga, nature, hammocks, and smiles — until it wasn't.
The question remains: What happened to Gabby? With her story coming to a tragic end, there are only a few possibilities: murder, suicide, an accident, or a random health issue, which is unlikely in the case of a healthy 22-year-old. In addition, on August 12 — the same day as the police intervention — Petito posted on Instagram that she and Laundrie were "athletic and very experienced hikers."
If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
