Brian Laundrie’s Notebook Reveals Confession That He Murdered Gabby Petito To Take ‘Away Her Pain’
We finally have answers.
Twitter / YouTube A portion of Brian Laundrie's notebook has been revealed as attorneys for Gabby Petito's family and the Laundrie family met with the FBI in Tampa to take possession of belongings found near his remains last October.
The FBI previously confirmed that Laundrie took responsibility for Petito's murder in the notebook but, for the first time, his exact words have been revealed.
What is in Brian Laundrie’s notebook?
The notebook includes a full confession from Laundrie, taking responsibility for Petito's murder.
“I ended her life,” a line from the notebook reads. “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.”
In the notebook, Laundrie claims Petito’s death “occurred as an unexpected tragedy.”
He alleges that, while hiking back to their van, Petito fell and sustained an injury.
“I hear a splash and a scream, I could barely see,” Laundrie wrote. “I couldn’t find her for a moment, shouted her name. I found her breathing heavily, gasping and [unclear] was freezing cold.”
He claims that an injured Petito was “begging” for an end to her pain.
“I thought it was merciful, that it is what she wanted, but I see now all the mistakes I made,” he writes.
Read the full text of Brian Laundrie’s confession here.
“I am ending my life not because of a fear of punishment but rather because I can’t stand to live another day without her,” Laundrie wrote. “I’ve lost our whole future together, every moment we could have shared.”
The notebook has been a source of much speculation for those who followed the high-profile case and the excerpts offer insight into many of aspects of the case that have bewildered investigators.
Other theories have circulated about what may be in the remainder of the notebook.
There appear to be drawings on Brian Laundrie’s notebook.
In images showing evidence being taken out of the Carlton Reserve, a close look at what seems to be the notebook in a bag shows an obscure shape on the cover.
This may be a drawing, sticker or it could be any other mark from the item being in the wilderness.
The shape resembles a side profile though it is unclear what exactly the image could be.
Brian Laundrie was known to have a notebook of drawings.
Many of Laundrie’s Instagram posts show elaborate drawings of demonic-looking figures or a grim reaper.
Petito’s family recalled seeing him make drawings for their younger children.
It’s possible that the notebook found is where Laundrie stored some of these artworks and may be considered evidence in the case.
Laundrie’s notebook may have been stored in a dry bag.
We know that the recently discovered items were discovered in an area that was previously underwater which has led some to question how the notebook has not disintegrated.
However, images of Chris Laundrie retrieving evidence show what appears to be the notebook stored in a bag that may be waterproof.
Dry bags are specifically designed to be sealed and can float in water. This implies that Laundrie may have been using the bag to protect his items or intended them to be found.
Alice Kelly is YourTango's Deputy News and Entertainment Editor. Based out of Brooklyn, New York, her work covers all things social justice, pop culture, and human interest. Keep up with her Twitter for more.