North Port community gathers at vigil for Gabby Petito as search continues

NORTH PORT – Children placed down teddy bears and posters. Neighbors lit candles as they held out hope and fought back tears. Parents embraced strangers, looking for the comfort of another.

Nearly 100 area residents gathered Saturday night at North Port City Hall to show support for the family of the missing Gabby Petito.

Vigil attendees tied green ribbons symbolizing a missing person and placed memorabilia at the community tree that stands in front of North Port City Hall. The tree will remain open as an official gathering place for residents and visitors who wish to add candles, letters, or cards in support of finding answers.

The 22-year-old went missing during a cross-country road trip with her fiancé Brian Laundrie, who returned with her van but not her. He has refused to tell police what happened, and now authorities say he is missing as well, sparking a massive search across the vast woods around North Port.

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The “Light of Hope” vigil Saturday was organized by Lisa Correll, a North Port resident and concerned mother, who does not know Petito but has followed the story like many. She says the incident has shaken the community, and residents should do whatever they can to make sure Petito’s family feels their love and support.

“Everyone is thinking of her, her family, and what they’re going through,” Correll said. 

Vigil attendee Elena Carella said Petito’s disappearance hits close to home for her as a mother. Her sons joined Carella on Saturday, along with dozens of other children, all with mothers distraught over how a daughter could just vanish.

“I have four children; my daughter is 16,” Carella said. “How could we not be here to support this family.”

Volunteers provided candles and lights for those gathered, still hoping for answers from law enforcement. The group focused on Petito, calling for prayers. Petito’s parents were not present at the vigil.

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Kim Bostwick recognized Petito when photos began to surface online. Bostwick and her family live in the same neighborhood as Petito and Laundrie. She says the situation is unsettling.

“At first, all I felt was sadness, then I found out it was right down the street, it's just too close,” Bostwick said. “It's infuriating to me, and I'm sure to everyone ... I'm here to support her and her family. But I do hope that he is found and that he gives us all some answers.”

Samantha Gholar Weires covers social justice news for the Herald-Tribune and USA TODAY Network. Connect with her at sgholar@gannett.com or on Twitter: @samanthagweires