JACKSON, Wyo. — In a 12:30 p.m. press conference, Teton County Coroner Brent Blue announced the autopsy results of Gabby Petito.
“We find the cause of death to be strangulation and the manner of death to be a homicide,” Blue said.
The body of Petito, 22, was found on Sept. 19 in Bridger- Teton National Forest along the border of Grand Teton National Park. Blue previously classified Petito’s death as a homicide-meaning her death was caused by another person.
Blue took questions from members of the media from across the country, mostly from New York and Florida. He was unable to share any other details about the autopsy outside of the manner of death verdict. Wyoming state statute 7-4-105 prohibits Dr. Blue from sharing details of the autopsy.
Blue shared that Petito’s date of death is estimated at 3-4 weeks prior to her body being found by investigators on Sept. 19. “Her body was outside in the wilderness for three to four weeks,” Blue said.
According to Blue, forensic pathologists, anthropologists, local law enforcement, and the FBI were involved.
When asked by Will Walkey from 89.1/KHOL, about how he managed to work on such a high-profile case, Blue said, “It was quite the media circus and it continues to be. This is only one of many deaths from around the country of people who are involved in domestic violence, it is unfortunate that these other deaths do not get as much coverage.” Blue went on to say, “A lot of both men and women have lost their lives.”
To read Buckrail’s previous coverage of this case click here.
