New Delhi: YouTuber Gabby Petito in Florida, who went missing since she left on a road trip with her fiancé, has forced the local and federal authorities to intensify their search by announcing Petito’s fiancé as a person of interest in their investigation.
Protesters also gathered outside the Florida home of Petito‘s fiance Brian Laundrie after he declined to cooperate with the police after her disappearance.
Who’s Gabby Petito?
The 22-year-old is an adventure Youtuber along with her fiancé planned to travel in her white Ford van to the West Coast. She had intended to visit state national parks across the Western United States, according to North Port Police Chief Todd Garrison.
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Both ventured on a road trip in June, and Petito was excited to chronicle her journey with family and others on social media.
How Did She Disappear?
Petito mysteriously disappeared on a road trip over the weekend, but the return of her boyfriend Brian Laundrie triggered a frantic search for the 22-year-old Youtuber.
Petito’s fiancé has refused to cooperate with law enforcement, as per the report in the Independent. On the other hand, Petito’s family released a statement urging Laundrie to assist police in their search for their missing daughter.
While Moab, Utah, police also met the couple on August 12 and found them "engaged in some sort of altercation."
Even as they got into a physical fight following an argument, "both the male and female reported they are in love and engaged to be married and desperately didn't wish to see anyone charged with a crime," a report from officer Eric Pratt was quoted in the Independent report.
After this, the couple separated for the night, according to the report which described Petito as "confused and emotional."
The girl's family pleaded to say, “as parents, how can you put us through this pain” and begged them to at least tell about her whereabouts, or if they are even looking in the right area.
The family also revealed that they don’t believe Petito’s final text message on 30 August actually came from her.