Body found in Wyoming believed to be Gabrielle Petito

MOOSE (Wyoming): Authorities say a body discovered in Wyoming is believed to be Gabrielle “Gabby” Petito (pic), who disappeared while on a cross-country trek with a boyfriend who has been identified by the authorities as a person of interest and is now being sought within a Florida nature preserve.

The FBI said the body was found by law enforcement agents who had spent the past two days searching campgrounds.

The cause of death has not yet been determined, said FBI Supervisory Special Agent Charles Jones.

“Full forensic identification has not been completed to confirm 100% that we found Gabby, but her family has been notified,” Jones said.

“This is an incredibly difficult time for (Petito’s) family and friends.”

An attorney who has been acting as a spokesman for Petito’s family asked in a statement that the family be given room to grieve.

Attorney Richard Benson Stafford indicated that the family would make a public statement at a later date, and he thanked officials with the FBI, Grand Teton Search and Rescue and other agencies that participated in the search for Petito.

An undeveloped camping area on the east side of Grand Teton bordering national forest land will remain closed until further notice while the investigation continues, Jones said.

Jones said investigators are still seeking information from anyone who may have seen Petito or Brian Laundrie around the camp sites, the same area that was the subject of law enforcement search efforts over the weekend.

Petito and her boyfriend, Laundrie, left in July on a cross-country trek in a converted van to visit national parks in the US West. Police said Laundrie was alone when he drove the van back to his parents’ home in North Port, Florida, on Sept 1.

Laundrie has been identified as a person of interest in the case. He was last seen Tuesday by family members in Florida.