Over the past few months, the case of Gabby Petito has made national headlines daily. Gabby Petito, a 22 year-old woman from Blue Point, New York and her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, a 23 year-old man from North Port, Florida were on a cross-country road trip this past summer.  

After leaving Petito’s hometown of Blue Point in June, the two traveled in their white, make-shift van to places like Mystic Hot Springs and the Canyonlands National Park in Utah.  Petito and her fiancé frequently posted happy photos, videos, and more on Instagram and other social media sites, highlighting beautiful views and wilderness. However, things took a turn for the worse seemingly quickly.  On Aug. 12, the couple was pulled over after a witness reported a domestic violence incident.  Petito and Laundrie were separately questioned, before they were split up for the night without any repercussions.  

Days later, beginning on Aug. 26, Petito’s family stopped receiving texts from her. On Aug. 27, witnesses at a Jackson Hole restaurant saw the two of them, where it was reported that Laundrie was having an explosive argument with the staff.  The restaurant workers reported that he was aggressive, and that he left and returned about four times. Petito even came inside and apologized for Laundrie’s behavior. 

 On Aug. 29, a woman claimed that she and her boyfriend gave Laundrie a ride, and said they picked up Laundrie that evening while he was hitchhiking in Colter Bay, Wyoming.  Laundrie told them he had been camping at a site outside the Grand Teton National Park, near the Snake River.  Once Laundrie found out they were going to Jackson Hole instead, he got agitated, asked that the vehicle stop, and got out near the Jackson Dam.  

The next day, when Petito’s parents received a suspicious text message, they began to get worried.  The odd message read, “Can you help Stan, I just keep getting his voicemails and missed calls.” “Stan” is the name of her grandfather, but the mother said she never called him Stan.

Laundrie then returned home without Petito on Sept. 1.  It wasn’t until Sept. 11 that Petito’s family reported her missing.  When Laundrie’s parents were met by police at their door on Sept. 17, they said their own son was missing.  On Sept. 19, authorities found remains of a body in the Grand Teton National Park after receiving video assistance from a vlogger.  Days later, an autopsy confirmed it was Petito’s body.  For weeks, authorities have been searching for Laundrie through the 25,000 acre Carlton Reserve in Florida.  

“Why are they spending all these resources (dogs, helicopters, drones, buggies, boats, etc.) if he may not be there?  How could he be in this gator and bug infested forest for so long?” said senior Jasper Abrahams.  

Laundrie’s brought up many questions. Why weren’t Laundrie’s parents questioning him about their soon-to-be daughter-in-law?  Why were they, along with their son, refusing to speak to anyone about the situation?  Why did Laundrie’s parents wait days to tell police about their missing son?  Why did Laundrie already have an attorney ready to go once Petito was reported missing?  Why did neighbors see the Laundrie family packing their truck to go somewhere after he returned?  Laundrie’s parents said he left with no phone or wallet… how could he still be surviving?  

“All of the small details and circumstances of this story seem too suspicious.  It doesn’t seem possible that the parents are not assisting the escape,” said senior Nick Sonneneklar.

These speculations came to an end when, on Wednesday, Oct. 20, Laundrie’s skeletal remains were found in the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in North Port, Florida.  Officials from the North Port Police Dedisappearance partment confirmed the remains were Laundrie’s on Oct. 21 following a comparative analysis of dental records.  A recent autopsy of the remains came back inconclusive, meaning no cause of death could be found.  Laundrie’s family does not have plans for an immediate funeral, although they have said they will eventually creamate his body.

Recently, Petito’s family and friends, including many other Blue Point residents, have been mourning back on Long Island.  Driveway vigils and street poles are covered with teal ribbons, and thousands gathered at a candle ceremony where photos and treasures of Petito were seen. 

“In life, Gabby was a bright shining star, and now in her death she is the brightest star. Of course the thing that will haunt me forever was that I never had a suspicion about Brian, not a clue. She seemed so happy,” said Petito family friend Noreen Gibbons to NBC News.

The concluded search for Laundrie, the deep mourning for Petito, and the ensuing tension has continued as a result of how this story unraveled.  Petito’s father and many other individuals involved have expressed how important it is that others learn from her story.