MOOSE, Wyoming: A 22-year-old woman who went missing while traveling and was believed to be in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park is being searched for.
Gabrielle Petito or “Gabby” of Blue Point, New York, was reported missing by her family on Sept. 11, according to a statement from the Suffolk County Police Department in New York. According to family members, they were last in contact with her during the last week of August.
A GoFundMe page reports that it was last known that Petito was in Grand Teton National Park on August 25 and was heading to Yellowstone National Park.
According to KSL.com, Nichole Schmidt said her daughter left Blue Point, New York, on a field trip with her two-year-old boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, on July 2nd.
“I wanted to cross the country with the camper van and live the life of the van and live free. That was his dream, “Schmidt said.
Petito’s parents said the couple documented every step of the way, spending time in Colorado and southern Utah.
“If you look at his Instagram page, you can find a lot of evidence about where these last few months have been,” Schmidt said.
But by the end of August, publications began to slow down.
Petito and her boyfriend were traveling in a white 2012 Ford Transit van that was found in Florida. EastIdahoNews.com spoke to the Suffolk County Police Department and investigators did not confirm Petito’s boyfriend’s name or his current whereabouts. A spokeswoman said the department does not comment on suspects or stakeholders. No one has been arrested in connection with the case.
Currently, the North Port Florida police department is also investigating the case. On Facebook, investigators posted, “We currently have no definitive information on whether a crime was committed here in North Port. That said, the circumstances are strange. The vehicle I was traveling in was here in North Port.”
The local FBI Tampa office is assisting in the investigation.
Gabby’s father, Joseph Petito, who lives in Florida, has posted on Facebook a help to find his daughter.
Currently, there is a Facebook group that was created called “Find Gabby”.
Petito is about 5 feet, 5 inches tall and 110 pounds. He has blond hair and blue eyes with several tattoos, including one on his finger and the other on his forearm that says “let it be.”
Detectives are asking anyone with information about Petito’s disappearance to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.