Brian Laundrie's autopsy results are shedding some light on the many questions that lingered after his remains were discovered in fall 2021.
The 47-page autopsy results take an in-depth look at the condition of Laundrie's remains, how they were discovered, and how authorities believe Laundrie ended his life. The details are shocking, even for those who closely followed the twists and turns that began with Gabby Petito going missing.
The autopsy results also give some clarity as to what was found with Laundrie's remains, including the notebook where he took responsibility for Petito's death.
Laundrie's remains were found on October 20, 2021, after a month-long search for him. He was wanted by investigators in relation to girlfriend Gabby Petito's disappearance and death. His remains were discovered in an area north of the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park that had been under about 3 feet of water during the search of the Carlton Reserve.
"The 'main' scene contained human remains that included a right and left scapula, a right humerus, a left and right femur, two tibias, two fibulas, two clavicles, two pelvis, one right ulna, one right radius, a sacrum, multiple ribs, multiple skull fragments along with the maxilla and mandible, and approximately twenty-five vertebrae (cervical, thoracic, and lumbar)," the report reads.
The description lays out that his remains were scattered, in part because he shot himself and in part because of animals scavenging on the remains in the time before they were discovered.
The medical examiner ruled Laundrie's death a suicide. The cause of death was a gunshot wound to his head. Laundrie shot himself in the left temple with a European American Arms revolver, which was marked as a .38 special on one side of the barrel and as a .357 magnum on the other.
"The cylinder contained two live rounds and one spent round of ammunition," the report said.
Laundrie's remains had suffered from "moderately extensive carnivore activity evidenced by multiple gouging and gnawing marks," the medical examiner stated.
"These areas are consistent with carnivores and/or omnivores including canines such as feral dogs and coyotes along with rodents and raccoons."
Personal items were also discovered with Laundrie's remains. Those items included "a pair of green shorts with a green belt, two slip-on shoes, a backpack with unknown contents, a white metal ring, and an unknown type of handgun."
The secondary scene, which included animal remains, also had Laundrie's drybag. The drybag contained "a journal, along with a wooden box that contained a small notebook and a photographic picture of Brian Laundrie." There was also a partially completed handwritten note recovered that was not inside the bag. The small notebook is where it's believed that Laundrie wrote his statement taking responsibility for Gabby Petito's death.
With this investigation closing, a lot of people who have followed along feel they have more questions than answers. Sadly, those answers don't change the facts of this case and the devastating conclusion that has changed two families forever.
