NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Updated autopsy results for Brian Laundrie, the sole person of interest in the disappearance and death of Gabby Petito, revealed he died of a single gunshot wound in an apparent suicide, an attorney for the family announced Tuesday.
Meanwhile, when the Laundrie family turned over their guns to the FBI months ago, one was missing, according to a new report.
Here's the latest:
4 p.m., Nov. 23: GUN WAS MISSING FROM LAUNDRIE HOME: REPORT
The Laundrie family turned over their guns to the FBI back in September, but one was reportedly missing.
In a new Fox News report, the family turned all of their firearms over to federal officials back in September at the height of the Gabby Petito investigation, sans one missing gun.
But whether that single gun was the one that Brian Laundrie used to take his life isn't clear, according to the report.
The FBI didn't respond to the outlet's request for comment.
3:30 p.m., Nov. 23: PETITO LAWYER RESPONDS TO LAUNDRIE CAUSE OF DEATH
The lawyer for the Schmidt and Petito families offered a short response Tuesday after Brian Laundrie's cause of death came to light.
"The Schmidt and Petito family has been aware of the circumstances surrounding the suicide of the sole suspect in Gabby's murder. Gabby's family will not be making a statement at this time due to the request of the United States Attorney's Office and the Teton County Prosecutor's Office," said attorney Richard Stafford.
"The family was asked to not make any comments and let the FBI continue their investigation. The family was also asked to wait for the United States Attorney's Office to make a determination on whether any additional individuals will be charged. When that determination is made, we will have a statement," he continued.
3 p.m., Nov. 23: MEDICAL EXAMINER PROVIDES MORE DETAIL IN LAUNDRIE INVESTIGATION
The District Twelve Medical Examiner's Office in Sarasota, Florida released more information into ints completed investigation of Brian Laundrie's death.
Officials said their investigation included "scene response by medical examiner personnel, complete examination of the recovered skeletal remains, consultation with a forensic odontologist, including dental comparison for identification."
It also involved "consultation with a forensic anthropologist, including skeletal reconstruction" and "confirmation of the identity of the remains by both dental comparison and DNA analysis."
The examiner's office then confirmed the information provided by the Laundrie family's lawyer earlier in the day -- that the manner of death was suicide and the cause was gunshot wound to the head.
Laundrie's death was initially confirmed by officials via dental records, before his remains were examined over the course of multiple weeks.
1 p.m., Nov. 23: BRIAN LAUNDRIE'S CAUSE OF DEATH REVEALED
After weeks of waiting for further results in the cause and manner of Brian Laundrie's death, it is now known that he died of a single gunshot wound in an apparent suicide, an attorney for the family announced Tuesday.
“Chris and Roberta Laundrie have been informed that the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head and the manner of death was suicide,” attorney Steven Bertolino said in a statement.
“Chris and Roberta are still mourning the loss of their son and are hopeful that these findings bring closure to both families,” he added.
The autopsy results came weeks after Laundrie’s remains were sent to an anthropologist for evaluation.
FBI officials discovered the 23-year-old’s partial remains within a Florida park on Oct. 20, along with some of his personal items, including a notebook and backpack.
Officials described the remains as “skeletal” and used dental records to confirm the identity. No cause of death was immediately revealed.
Bertolino, at the time, told several media outlets that the remains would be sent for evaluation. He also said that the Laundrie family would forgo a traditional funeral and will cremate Laundrie when his remains are returned.
Laundrie’s death brought the nationwide search for the only person of interest the FBI had named in Petito’s disappearance and murder case to an end.
He had been missing since Sept. 13, when the Laundrie family told authorities that he had gone for a hike and never returned. He was not formally reported missing until Sept. 17.
Laundrie was previously engaged to 22-year-old Petito, who went missing in August while on a cross-country “van life” road trip with him.
Her remains were recovered on Sept. 19 in a remote area of a Wyoming national park that she and Laundrie had visited during their trip.
Autopsy results later ruled Petito’s death a homicide, with the medical examiner noting that she was strangled to death and likely died three to four weeks before she was found.
Petito’s family has said they believe the death was the result of domestic violence and have started a foundation in honor of their daughter, which now works to help victims of domestic abuse.
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