Authorities say a body found near Grand Teton National Park could be the remains of Gabby Petito.
During a news conference on Sunday night, the FBI agent Charles Jones said "human remains were discovered consistent with the description" of Petito near the Spread Creek Dispersed camping area but that they are waiting on forensic confirmation.
The cause of death has yet to be determined, he added.
"Full forensic identification has not been completed to confirm 100% that we found Gabby, but her family has been notified of this discovery," Jones said.
Jones extended his "heartfelt condolences" to the Petito family.
—FBI Denver (@FBIDenver) September 19, 2021
The FBI, alongside local law enforcement, has been searching for the 22-year-old woman, who was reported missing on September 11. Her mother, Nichole Schmidt, said she last saw Petito via FaceTime on August 24.
Schmidt said she got a text on August 30 that said Petito lost service in Yosemite, but she does not believe it was her daughter who sent it. The family said they haven't heard from her since.
Petito was on a cross-country road trip with her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, when she disappeared. Laundrie returned to his family home in North Port, Florida, on September 1, and police said he refused to speak with investigators. Authorities named him a person of interest in Petito's disappearance.
Police on Friday said Laundrie's family reported that he's been missing since Tuesday. As of Sunday, authorities in Florida had been searching for him in the Carlton Reserve, a nature reserve near North Port.
Brian Laundrie's lawyer, Steven Bertolino, told Insider: "The news about Gabby Petito is heartbreaking. The Laundrie family prays for Gabby and her family."
On Sunday night, Richard Stafford, the lawyer for Petito's family, asked reporters not to contact them at this time.
"Due to today's developments, we are asking the press and news media to have some decorum and sensitivity for Gabby's family and allow them to grieve," Stafford said in a statement to Insider. "I will be in contact with you when Gabby's family is ready to make a public statement."
Stafford thanked officials and investigators involved in the search to find Petito.
"Your tireless work and determination helped bring Gabby home to her parents," he said. "The family and I will be forever grateful."
