Brian Laundrie died of gunshot wound to head, postmortem exam reveals

Forensic anthropologist determines sole person of interest in murder of Gabby Petito died by suicide

Law enforcement officials last month concluded that remains found in a Florida wilderness park were Brian Laundrie's. Reuters

Brian Laundrie, the sole person of interest in the murder of Gabby Petito, died from a gunshot wound to the head, a family lawyer told news organisations on Monday.

A forensic anthropologist declared the cause of death to be suicide, lawyer Steve Bertolino said.

“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,” Mr Bertolino told The New York Post.

“Chris and Roberta are still mourning the loss of their son and are hopeful that these findings bring closure to both families.”

Law enforcement officials last month concluded that remains found in a Florida wilderness park were Laundrie's after analysing the dental records.

A search that enlisted the help of US federal, state and local authorities took place in September, two weeks after Laundrie disappeared from his parents' home in North Port, Florida.

Suspicion arose when he returned home alone after a trip he took with Petito, his fiancée, and after police body cam footage surfaced implying the couple had a domestic dispute while on the road.

The couple had embarked on a cross-country adventure in July. Petito had quit her job and decided to document their journey on social media.

Brian Laundrie speaking to officers responding to an altercation between himself and his girlfriend Gabrielle 'Gabby' Petito. AFP

Gabby Petito speaking on the same day. She was reported missing soon after. AFP

FBI agents take items from the family home of Brian Laundrie in North Port, Florida. AFP

Human remains were discovered in a remote area of Bridger-Teton National Forest, Wyoming. AFP

Doreen Folk, of New York, lays a teddy bear and flowers at a makeshift memorial dedicated to Gabby Petito. AFP

The couple had left her home state of New York last summer, but Mr Laundrie returned alone in the van on September 1. AFP

A Teton County coroner's vehicle transports a body believed to be Gabby Petito from the Spread Creek camping area, Wyoming. AP

The 22 year old was last seen alive on August 24, 2021, leaving a hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah. She posted her last photo of the trip on social media the next day. AP

Her parents Tara and Joe Petito listen as police chief Todd Garrison leads a press conference. AFP

She posted her final photo to Instagram on August 25, the same day she last spoke to her mother by phone.

A coroner last month determined Petito had been killed by strangulation and ruled her death a homicide.

Laundrie was declared a “person of interest” in the case but was never charged in her death. The investigation continues.

Petito was last seen alive on August 26. Her body was discovered in September near a remote campground in western Wyoming.

The traveller's disappearance became an internet sensation that grew more enigmatic by the day.

It also renewed the debate over the disproportionate attention afforded to missing white women versus women of colour in the US.