Gabby Petito's death is still a mystery. As investigators focus on finding her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, a new eyewitness steps in. If her testimony is true, she would be the last witness to see Gabby Petito alive.
Witness: Gabby Petito seemed desperate
Nina Angelo claims to have observed the couple on August 27 at the Merry Piglets restaurant in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. According to investigators, Gabby was officially last seen three days before.
Angelo said in an interview with "ABC News" that the two had a heated argument. "It looked like they were almost going to get kicked out." While Laundrie screamed, Petito burst into tears, apologized and left the restaurant. Laundrie also accosted the waitress, who was in tears. "He left the restaurant and entered it four times in five minutes," she said. "He went out, came back, went out, went back in." Laundrie was "visibly angry" while Petito seemed desperate.
Restaurant "Merry Piglets" confirms attendance
"She seemed really upset. She was emotional," Angelo said. "She was crying. She seemed kind of embarrassed." At some point, Gabby Petito followed him back to the restaurant. "I think she tried to de-escalate the situation. The 22-year-old apologized to the staff for his behavior. "She just wanted to defuse the situation somehow. She said I'm sorry, come on, let's just go. But she was visibly upset," said Angelo. She felt sorry for Petito, while Laundrie's behavior upset her.
The restaurant, meanwhile, confirmed on Instagram that the couple had been there. "We have notified the FBI and they know it," the operators write.
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To sue:Arrest warrant for Brian Laundrie for bank fraud
Meanwhile, authorities have obtained an arrest warrant for Brian Laundrie. However, they do not justify this with Petito's death, but with the unauthorized use of a bank card. Laundrie allegedly used them without authorization between August 30 and September 1. This emerges from a document from the district court in the US state of Wyoming on Wednesday. Accordingly, the 23-year-old has withdrawn about 1,000 US dollars (about 850 euros). According to US media reports, the bank card should have belonged to Gabby Petito.
Anyone who knows anything about Brian Laundrie or his whereabouts should contact the FBI, investigators said. The police have been looking for the 23-year-old in the Carlton Reservation, a huge nature reserve in Florida, for a good week. There Laundrie is said to have been photographed by a wildlife camera.
Only Brian Laundrie returned from a trip together
Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie set out on a road trip across the United States in a converted van in July. They were happy on social networks, sharing photos of beautiful places. But only he returned from the trip on September 1st, Gabby Petito's parents reported their daughter missing ten days later.
RTL reporter in Wyoming: Was Gabby Petito's body here?
The search for the 22-year-old made waves in the United States. Her body was found in Wyoming on Sunday. The FBI said the cause of death has not yet been clarified. One assumes a homicide. RTL reporter Daniela Hoffmann went in search of clues in Wyoming – and found the place where the body could have been discovered.
Brian Laundrie remained silent on his girlfriend's disappearance
While Brian Laundrie is considered a "person of interest" in the case, he is not wanted for a felony. He had remained silent about Gabby Petito's disappearance, communicating only through his attorney. On September 17, his parents reported him missing. Investigators then comb the Carlton Reservation. The 23-year-old's parents told authorities he had left home with a backpack to go hiking in the area - and then never returned.
Investigators also searched the home of Brian Laundrie's parents. He had lived there with Gabby Petito before traveling through the United States together. (mst)
