A handwritten letter from Gabby Petito to killer boyfriend Brian Laundrie has been released by the FBI.
The undated letter - released as part of a 366-page record of the tragic case - hints at potential tensions between the young couple, as she pleads with Laundrie to "stop calling me names" and "come home".
Gabby Petito was killed at the age of 22. Credit: FBI
Petito was just 22 years old when she was reported missing by her family in August 2021.
She had been on a road trip with her 23-year-old boyfriend, with the pair traveling in their van from New York to Oregon.
However, after her family suddenly lost contact with Gabby, their concerns grew deeper when Laundrie returned to his family's Florida home without her.
Gabby's body was eventually found on September 19, 2021 in Bridger-Teton National Forest, Wyoming. Teton County Coroner Dr. Brent Blue ruled her death a homicide, stating that she had been strangled to death around four weeks prior to being discovered.
However, by the time her body was found, Laundrie had gone missing - sparking a nationwide manhunt. His body was eventually discovered in a Florida nature reserve.
Credit: Instagram / Gabspetito
Laundrie's death was ruled a suicide. A note found in a notebook alongside his body read: "I ended her life.
"I thought it was merciful, that it is what she wanted, but I see now all the mistakes I made. I panicked. I was in shock. But from the moment I decided, took away her pain, I knew I couldn’t go on without her."
Now, a letter written by Petito has been released by the FBI, which not only offers a glimpse into their relationship, but also refers to the van they would go on to use for their ill-fated trip.
A transcript of the full letter can be read below:
"Brian,
"You know how much I love you. So (and I'm writing this with love). Just please stop crying and stop calling me names because we're a team and I'm here with you. I'm always going to have your back.
"Sorry I got upset over a dumb piece of paper, but I just wanted to do that with you, you know really this is not your fault 'cause you're into all this cool stuff I was sheltered from. So just try to understand.
"Yes I can be a child sometimes I know but it's 'cause you give me this energy and I just love you too much. Like so much it hurts. So you in pain is killing me. I'm not trying to be negative but I'm frustrated there's not more I can do.
"You know as soon as we're unpacked 100% and I come back from N.Y quarantine myself, I'm going to come work with you cause there's not much else here. We can work on the van together and they are OUR dreams now. So I hope you understand when I'm upset it's 'cause I love you too much.
"Now... Stop Crying!!! And come home and say you love me with a big hug. I love you."
