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Missing North Port woman Gabby Petito's vehicle recovered, woman still not found

Patricia McKnight
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
  • Gabrielle Petito, 22, was reported missing to the Suffolk County Police Department by her family in New York just before 7 p.m. on Sept. 11.
  • Authorities describe Petito as a white woman, about 5 feet, 5 inches tall, and weighing 110 pounds. She has blonde hair, blue eyes, and several tattoos, including one on her finger and another on her forearm that reads “Let it be.”
  • According to Petito's family, they were last in contact with her during the final week of August. Prior to that, authorities believe she was in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.

Multiple law enforcement agencies are searching for a missing North Port woman and YouTuber who set out on a cross-country trip with her boyfriend, who refuses to cooperate with authorities. 

Gabrielle Petito, 22, was reported missing to the Suffolk County Police Department by her family in New York just before 7 p.m. Saturday.

Petito and her boyfriend were traveling in a white 2012 Ford Transit van with Florida license plate QFTG03. The van has since been recovered at Petito's residence in North Port. Her boyfriend was at the home, but he refused to speak with authorities. 

More:What we know about missing Florida woman Gabby Petito

More:Gabby Petito's fiancé now a person of interest in her disappearance, Florida officials say

“The fact that her vehicle is back here in North Port with potentially the last person who may have been with her and isn't speaking with us is concerning,” said Josh Taylor, Noth Port Police communications manager. 

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Authorities describe Petito as a white woman, about 5 feet, 5 inches tall, and weighing 110 pounds. She has blonde hair, blue eyes, and several tattoos, including one on her finger and another on her forearm that reads “Let it be.”

According to Petito's family, they were last in contact with her during the final week of August. Prior to that, authorities believe she was in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.

Gabrielle Petito, 22, missing North Port woman who set out on a cross-country trip with her boyfriend.

Petito would document her cross-country travels on her YouTube account called ‘Nomadic Statik.’ The last video was posted three weeks ago and includes clips of Petito and her boyfriend seemingly enjoying their trips. 

The last video, 'Van Life,' now has more than 300,000 views, with thousands of comments speculating about her boyfriend and his potential involvement in her disappearance. 

The Suffolk County Police Department and North Port Police Department are working with the FBI to try and locate Petito. They are tracing bank statements, travel itineraries, and other leads, hoping for answers. 

“There's a lot of things that aren't adding up,” Taylor said. “The fact that you have someone who was in constant communication with their family and then just doesn't for weeks, that's concerning.”

Detectives are asking anyone with information on Petito’s disappearance to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls can remain anonymous.