The Most Disturbing Document Details Released About Brian Laundrie

On August 12, 2021, police officers in Moab, Utah responded to what they later described as a “domestic disturbance” between two youths, who were later identified as Gabby Petitio and Brian Laundrie. The incident later made headlines, with the police report that was filed at the time, along with video footage of the couple’s interactions with officers, providing a chilling glimpse into their relationship leading up to the deadly events that would follow.

As the police report made clear, they intervened that day in what had been a physical confrontation between Petito and Laundrie after a member of the public saw the latter punch the former as they stood on the sidewalk before driving away. Police caught up to the vehicle — the bystander had taken down the Florida license plate — and found Petito in tears.

She told the officer who interviewed her, who later reported that Petito was confused and emotional, that she was struggling with her obsessive-compulsive disorder, and that she had panicked when Laundrie wouldn’t let her back on the bus. “He told me to calm down, but I’m completely calm,” she said. The officer convinced the couple, who said they didn’t want to press charges, to spend the night apart to cool off. Although the couple’s social media accounts would later paint a picture of an ideal vacation, they continued to feud violently, with a “commotion” at a Wyoming restaurant on Aug. 27 also drawing public attention.