An autopsy report on Brian Laundrie found he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, a lawyer for his family told media outlets Tuesday.
His parents, 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,” the family’s lawyer, Steven Bertolino, said. “Chris and Roberta are still mourning the loss of their son and are hopeful that these findings bring closure to both families.”
Laundrie’s body was found in a Florida nature preserve near his North Port, Florida, home over a month ago after a massive search. He was the person of interest in the death of his fiancée, Gabby Petito, who was found strangled to death in Wyoming in September.
Bertolino revealed last month that Laundrie’s skeletal remains were sent to a forensic anthropologist after medical examiners could not determine his manner of death. Officials have not yet released the official autopsy report.
Laundrie, 23, was reported missing by his parents on Sept. 17, just over two weeks after he returned home to Florida without Petito, 22, whom he’d been on an extended, multistate road trip with since June.
In the days leading up to Laundrie’s disappearance, the search for Petito had begun dominating headlines nationwide, and public outrage at Laundrie and his family was escalating as they refused to cooperate with investigators.
Petito’s body was found near Grand Teton National Park, one of the stops on their road trip, days after Laundrie disappeared. An autopsy report later found she’d been strangled to death.
While the two were on their trip, police stopped them in Moab, Utah, after receiving reports of a domestic dispute between the couple in their camper van. Footage of the stop was captured on body cameras.
If you or someone you know needs help, call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You can also text HOME to 741-741 for free, 24-hour support from the Crisis Text Line. Outside of the U.S., please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention for a database of resources.