Brian Laundrie Bio - What We Know About Brian Laundrie, the Fiancé of Gabby Petito.
Netflix viewers have shared their overwhelming emotional reactions to the new true crime docuseries, American Murder: Gabby Petito, describing a "constant sinking feeling" as they watched the tragic details unfold.
Released on Monday (February 17), the documentary delves into the heartbreaking case of 22-year-old Gabby Petito, who was murdered by her fiancé, Brian Christopher Laundrie, in August 2021 while the couple was on a cross-country van life journey. Fans have flocked to social media to express the intense emotional impact the series has had on them as it brings Gabby's story to light.
Here's what we know about Brian Laundrie.
Brian Laundrie, born on November 18, 1997, in North Port, Florida, was 23 years old at the time of his death in September 2021. He is known for being the fiancé of Gabrielle "Gabby" Petito, a 22-year-old woman whose death was later ruled a homicide. Laundrie was the last person to be with Ms. Petito before her disappearance, and his actions have remained the center of a nationwide investigation.
Early Life and Education
Brian Laundrie grew up in North Port, Florida, and attended Bayport-Blue Point High School on Long Island, New York, where he met Gabby Petito. After graduating high school, Laundrie attended the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. However, he did not complete his degree, and there are no public records showing any further formal education after that.
Related: Gabby Petito’s Ex-Boyfriend Reveals He Missed Her Final Call Before Her Murder
Laundrie’s family, including his father Chris Laundrie and mother Roberta Laundrie, continued to live in North Port, where they maintained close ties to Petito, who had lived with the Laundrie family for over a year before her death. Petito’s mother, Nicole Schmidt, even expressed her heartbreak over the disappearance of her daughter in an open letter to the Laundries.
Relationship with Gabby Petito
Laundrie and Petito began dating in March 2019, and the couple got engaged in July 2020, as shared on their respective Instagram accounts. They began a cross-country road trip together in July 2021, documenting their journey through social media. However, the trip took a tragic turn when Petito was reported missing in September 2021, and Laundrie became a person of interest in her disappearance.
Witnesses reported disturbing behavior during the couple's travels. On August 12, 2021, in Moab, Utah, a 911 caller reported seeing Laundrie allegedly slapping and hitting Petito, leading to a police stop. Body-camera footage showed Petito visibly distressed, and although police considered Laundrie the “victim” in the situation, no charges were pressed at the time.
Disappearance and Death
Laundrie returned to his family’s home in North Port, Florida, on September 1, 2021, driving the white Ford van that he and Petito had been traveling in. On September 14, after refusing to speak with investigators, Laundrie’s family reported him missing, claiming he had gone hiking in the nearby Carlton Reserve.
On October 20, 2021, partial human remains and Laundrie's belongings, including a notebook and backpack, were found at the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park. The remains were later confirmed to be those of Laundrie. On November 23, 2021, his family’s attorney, Steven Bertolino, revealed that the cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
Criminal Indictment
Although Laundrie was never formally charged with the death of Gabby Petito, federal authorities indicted him for the fraudulent use of someone else's debit card between August 30 and September 1, 2021, totaling more than $1,000 in unauthorized transactions.
Social Media Presence and Interests
Brian Laundrie maintained an active social media presence where he presented himself as a devoted boyfriend, an artist, and an outdoors enthusiast. He was known for selling handmade bookmarks, print stamps, and T-shirts on his Depop account, "Bizarre Design." His social media activity also included posts railing against media influence, expressing admiration for pop culture figures like Chuck Palahniuk (author of Fight Club) and Mike Mignola (creator of Hellboy). His online persona suggested an interest in nature and survival, which became especially relevant when he disappeared into the wilderness.
Laundrie also claimed to be a survivalist. He reportedly told a colleague that he had lived in the forest for weeks on snacks, and to a friend of Petito’s, that he had hiked alone in the Appalachian Mountains for three months. However, his sister, Cassie Laundrie, described him as only a "mediocre" survivalist. Despite this, authorities focused their search on the swampy and unforgiving terrain of the Carlton Reserve.
Family and Personal Life
Brian Laundrie’s parents, Chris and Roberta Laundrie, along with his sister Cassie, lived in North Port, Florida. Laundrie had a close relationship with Gabby Petito, who had lived with the Laundrie family for over a year. Petito’s mother, Nicole Schmidt, wrote an open letter to the Laundries expressing her heartbreak over her daughter’s disappearance. Chris Laundrie later assisted the FBI in the search for his son, even helping to locate his son’s belongings after they were found at the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park.
The Search for Laundrie
The search for Brian Laundrie intensified after he went missing on September 14, 2021. Authorities initially searched the Carlton Reserve and the surrounding areas. Despite false sightings and tips placing him in various locations across the country, the search eventually led them back to the park where Laundrie’s remains were found.
Interesting Facts and Final Thoughts
Brian Laundrie: Key Facts
- Birthday: November 18, 1997
- Age at Time of Death: 23
- Place of Birth: North Port, Florida
- High School: Bayport-Blue Point High School, Long Island, New York
- College: University of North Florida (Did not complete degree)
- Social Media:
- Active on Instagram
- Sold art on Depop under the account "Bizarre Design"
- Posts about nature and survival
- Claims of Survival Skills:
- Alleged to have survived in the wild for weeks
- Reported to have hiked solo in the Appalachian Mountains
- Known for Artistic Work:
- Designed and sold bookmarks, print stamps, and T-shirts online
- No Previous Convictions:
- No records of prior criminal convictions or medical issues
The case of Brian Laundrie and Gabrielle Petito’s tragic end continues to resonate with people around the world. While Laundrie’s mysterious disappearance and subsequent death left many questions unanswered, the events surrounding the case continue to unfold in public interest.
