.png)
The heartbroken father of 22-year-old Gabby Petito - who was murdered by her fiance while on holiday in 2021 - has issued a plea to those who have followed the case.
Taking to Instagram today, which marks the three-year anniversary of his daughter's passing, Joseph Petito lifted the lid on the gaping hole that Gabby had left in her family's lives.
Who was Gabby Petito?
Prior to her murder, New York-born Gabby had been a high school graduate, a restaurant hostess and a pharmacy technician, who'd also fallen in love with her former classmate, Brian Laundrie.
In the years that followed, the couple got engaged, and frequently spent their free time travelling around the US, often camping out from the comfort of their vehicle.
Advert
In 2020, Gabby purchased a Ford Transit Connect van, which she and Brian eventually converted into a camper in the hope of visiting further terrain.
And the following August, the couple set off on a four-month-long RV trip across America's midwest, stopping at famous landmarks and national parks in Kansas and Utah.
What happened to Gabby Petito?
Gabby's family reported her missing on 11 September - almost three weeks after she and Brian had begun their trip - after not having heard from her for several days.
Advert
Her mother then began to receive texts sent from Gabby's phone, which did not match her usual style of communication.
Brian was immediately noted as a person of interest, having returned home to Florida on his own in late August in Gabby's Ford Transit, simply telling his family that his girlfriend was 'gone'.
It was soon discovered that, earlier in the trip, the couple had been pulled over by police after several witnesses observed a physical altercation unfolding between Gabby and Brian at a rest-stop, though neither had pressed charges.
Advert
On 13 September, however, after an arrest warrant for Brian was issued, he fled his family home and was reported missing.
Gabby's body was subsequently discovered in Wyoming's Bridger-Teton National Forest six days later, with an autopsy revealing that she'd died of blunt-force injuries to her head and neck, as well as manual strangulation.
On 20 October, the remains of Brian were discovered in Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park. He died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
Advert
A notebook belonging to the killer was also discovered nearby his body, in which he admitted to having murdered Gabby.
What has Gabby's father now said?
This week, on the three-year anniversary of her murder, Joseph Petito has issued a heartbreaking statement to followers of the case.
Sharing a snap of Gabby on her personal Instagram account, he wrote in the caption: "Three years ago this evening you were taken from us."
Advert
He went on to admit: "We can’t stop crying when we think of you. There is no waking up from this nightmare."
Adding an extremely poignant plea, Joseph continued: "We push forward for you and all those you have inspired and nothing can make us stop.
"I ask anyone who reads this, please share a missing person flyer today."
Topics: Crime, True Crime, Parenting, US News
Rhianna Benson