Brian Laundrie confessed to killing Gabby Petitio in a notebook before taking his own life, the FBI has revealed.
The notebook was found close to Laundrie's body back in October, around the time that authorities discovered the wanted man's remains, CNN reports.
"A review of the notebook revealed written statements by Mr. Laundrie claiming responsibility for Ms. Petito's death," the FBI's Denver Field Office said in a statement released on Friday, January 21.
The statement went on to detail how the notebook was found in the same area of Florida's Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park as Laundries body. A revolver was also discovered nearby.
Laundrie, 23, had been the subject of a nationwide manhunt after the remains of his fiance, 22-year-old blogger Gabby Petito, were found in Grand Teton National Park on September 19, 2021. Coroners ruled that she had died by strangulation.
The pair had been on a road trip when they first went missing. After several weeks of searching for the suspected killer, authorities discovered Laundrie's remains on October 21 2021. His death was ruled by suicide in November 2021.
Following the FBI's announcement, Petito's family thanked the agency for their hard work.
"We truly appreciate the FBI's diligent and painstaking efforts in this extremely complicated case. The quality and quantity of the facts and information collected by the FBI leave no doubt (that) Brian Laundrie murdered Gabby," read a statement from the family's lawyer.
After disclosing the existence of the notebook, the FBI went on to say that their investigation into Petito's death "will be closed in the near future."
"All logical investigative steps have been concluded in this case," said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider.
"The investigation did not identify any other individuals other than Brian Laundrie directly involved in the tragic death of Gabby Petito," he added.
Laundrie family attorney Steve Bertolini also made an announcement on Friday, saying that an agreement has been reached between the two families on how they will distribute the couple's belongings.
He did not clarify which family would receive the notebook.
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