ASPIRING social media star Gabby Petito was found dead in September 2021, having been strangled during a road trip with her fiancé.

So what happened to Gabby, and how did she die?

Gabby Petito, 22, went missing in August 2021 during a road trip with her fiancé Brian Laundrie.

The pair were traveling from New York to Oregon as part of a "dream" trip.

However, the dream became a nightmare after Gabby was strangled to death, with her body later found in a national park in Wyoming on Sunday, September 19, 2021.

Her husband-to-be was named as a "person of interest" in the case.

Police also said he was "hindering" their investigation by not cooperating with them.

Brian Laundrie later took his own life, and his remains were found alongside a note claiming responsibility for killing Gabby.

Gabby's parents later filed a lawsuit against Laundrie's parents, alleging that they were aware their son had murdered her.

The Laundries have denied having any prior knowledge of Petito's death.

Here's what we know so far.

Gabby and Brian left Blue Point, New York, for a cross-country road trip and spent the next few days touring national parks in Colorado and Utah.

They had been documenting their "Van Life" travels on their social media and had set up a YouTube channel to chronicle their adventures.

Gabby was last seen leaving a hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah, with Laundrie.

The 22-year-old spoke to her mom Nicole Schmidt on the phone from Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, which is her last known location.

The pair had been planning a trip to Yellowstone.

It was also the day of her last Instagram post.

Gabby's mom received texts from her daughter, but she said she could not be certain it was sent by her.

She said: "I did receive a text from her on the 27th and the 30th, but I don't know if it was technically her or not because it was just a text. I didn't verbally speak to her."

Gabby's last text read: "No service in Yosemite."

Laundrie returned to his home in Florida, hired an attorney, and was reportedly not cooperating with the police, according to MailOnline.

Gabby's friends flooded his Instagram, begging him to help in the search.

The vlogger was reported missing by her mom after she had not received word from her in 13 days.

Meanwhile, cops found the couple's Ford Transit van in North Port, Florida, and began searching for clues and fingerprints.

Gabby's parents, Nicole and Joe Petito, held a press conference asking for help searching for their missing daughter.

On September 14, Laundrie issued a statement through his lawyer, saying: "This is an extremely difficult time for both the Petito family and the Laundrie family.

"I understand that a search has been organized for Miss Petito in or near Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.

"On behalf of the Laundrie family it is our hope that the search for Miss Petito is successful and that Miss Petito is reunited with her family.

"On the advice of counsel, the Laundrie family is remaining in the background at this juncture and will have no further comment."

Laundrie is named as a "person of interest" in the case of the missing vlogger.

Cops said he was "hindering this investigation" by not cooperating with them.

In a shocking twist, it is revealed that police in Utah had responded to an "incident" involving Gabby and Laundrie on August 12, 2021

Bodycam footage shows Gabby "crying uncontrollably" when stopped by the police after reports of a domestic violence incident outside of a grocery store.

The YouTuber is visibly emotional as she tries to explain to the officer why she slapped her boyfriend during an argument.

The couple was pulled over after driving off from an incident at the Moonflower Co-op in Moab, where a witness said he noticed Gabby hit Laundrie during a verbal fight.

Laundrie reportedly told the officer that he had been traveling with Gabby for about four to five months and their arguments escalated.

In the police report of the incident, Laundrie is listed as the victim and Gabby as the suspect.

The officer wrote that at "no point" in his investigation did Gabby "stop crying, breathing heavily, or compose a sentence without needing to wipe away tears, wipe her nose, or rub her knees with her hands".

Additionally, Utah cops are also not ruling out a "potential link" between the case and a couple's murder near where Gabby allegedly fought with her fiancé.

Newlyweds Kylen Schulte and Crystal Turner were found dead by a friend in the La Sal mountain range on August 18, 2021.

A TikToker claimed that Laundrie allegedly offered her $200 to give him a ride as he hiked alone at Grand Teton National Park in Colter Bay, Wyoming, on August 29.

Police scoured a "vast" reserve in Sarasota County as they desperately searched for Laundrie after his parents reported he vanished days before.

The FBI announced that a body found in a Wyoming national park is believed to be that of Petito.

The Laundrie family issued a statement through their lawyer amid the news that remains seemingly pertaining to Gabby were found in Wyoming.

The statement read: "The news about Gabby Petito is heartbreaking. The Laundrie family prays for Gabby and her family."

An autopsy to determine the cause of death is scheduled for Tuesday, September 21, 2021.

Meanwhile, Gabby's boyfriend remains missing with police fearing Laundrie may have hurt himself while in the reserve, characterizing it as “a possibility, certainly.” 

Cops started searching Laundrie's family home and bundled his parents into a police van after declaring a "crime scene".

The FBI announced a "search warrant" twice before they removed Chris and Roberta Laundrie from the home. The parents were placed in a van on their lawn.

An FBI agent was seen entering the home with a bag and an envelope. They were later seen bringing folding chairs and a table inside.

Laundrie’s silver Ford Mustang was also towed away.

The 23-year-old is said to have gone off for a hike in the 25,000-acre Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County on September 14, according to his family.

But he hasn’t been seen since and he was reported missing to cops on Friday, September 17.

Police said there is a "possibility" Laundrie may have "shot himself in the head" as the search continued. 

A TikTok user known as Jessica Over Yonder said she was "100 percent sure" she saw Laundrie, who was on his own, parking his van after he is thought to have gone missing.

She described him as looking "awkward and confused".

Police also gained access to a hard drive found in the van belonging to Petito and details emerged of the "odd" last texts sent to her mother from her phone.

On September 19, 2021, authorities in Wyoming announced a body was found in the area where the search for Petito had been underway.

The Petito lawyer later confirmed on September 21, 2022, that the body was identified as Gabby.

The remains were discovered in Grant Teton National Park, where she had been camping with her fiancé when she disappeared.

"I want to personally thank the press and news media for giving the Petito and Schmidt family time to grieve," lawyer Richard Stafford said in a statement.

"We will be making a statement when Gabby is home. I will contact you to arrange a time and location."

While the autopsy results were pending, police switched focus to finding Laundrie after the Teton County Coroner Dr. Brent Blue confirmed that Petito died as a result of a homicide.

The funeral service for Gabby took place on Sunday, September 26, from 12pm to 5pm, at Moloney's Holbrook Funeral Home in Holbrook, New York.

The service was open to the public and streamed online after Gabby's case made international news.

Gabby’s dad said people should be “inspired” by his daughter at her memorial service and not be sad.

Joe Petito said: "So when you leave here today, be inspired by what she brought to the table because the entire planet knows this woman's name now.

"And she's inspired a lot of women and a lot of men to do what's best for them first. Put yourself first and do it now while you have the time. I couldn't be more proud as a father."

Gabby’s family went on Dr. Phil’s show for an exclusive interview to discuss their daughter’s disappearance.

The first part of the interview, Gabby Petito’s Family Speaks Out – A Dr. Phil Exclusive, premiered on October 5, 2021.

The first part saw the family sharing where they believed Brian was hiding and what they would like to see happen to him if they did find him. 

Gabby's family opened up about what they did when they stopped hearing from their daughter, revealing that after texting Brian's parents they never responded.

Gabby’s father Joseph Petito said: “A normal parent, when you text someone that ‘you’re gonna call the cops cause you can’t find your child’ they would reply.

“No response. No nothing.”

Her parents later slammed him for being a “coward” and demanded he turn himself in.

Nicole continued: “Somebody needs to start talking. I do believe [his parents] know a lot more information than they’re putting out there.”

Joe added: “He’s a coward. Flat-out. I’d use some other words, but I can’t use them on your show. 

"Anyone that lived in that house is a coward, and they don’t know how to stand up for their actions.”

During the second part, Gabby's family then revealed that her body had been discovered just in front of the area where the tent and fire would have been.

Gabby's stepfather added that it would have been only a short walk from where the van would have been parked but was off the beaten path.

Brian Laundrie's remains were officially identified on October 21, 2021, after an extensive search at Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park.

The FBI released a statement after it was confirmed on October 21, 2022 that the human remains found in the search for Brian were bones.

The statement read: "On October 21, 2021, a comparison of dental records confirmed that the human remains found at the T. Mabry Carlton Jr. Memorial Reserve and the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park are those of Brian Laundrie."

Bertolino confirmed that Brian's parents were informed of the finding, saying: "Chris and Roberta Laundrie have been informed that the remains found yesterday in the reserve are indeed Brian’s.

"We have no further comment at this time and we ask that you respect the Laundrie’s privacy at this time."

Laundrie's cause of death was revealed as suicide by a gunshot wound to the head, his family lawyer said.

Lawyer Steve Bertolino said of Gabby Petito's fiancé's death: “Chris and Roberta Laundrie have been informed that the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head and the manner of death was suicide.

"Chris and Roberta are still mourning the loss of their son and are hopeful that these findings bring closure to both families.”

The FBI released a final investigative update on Gabby's case.

“The investigation did not identify any other individuals other than Brian Laundrie directly involved in the tragic death of Gabby Petito," FBI Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider said in a statement.

The office said they found a notebook near Laundrie's remains which "revealed written statements by Mr. Laundrie claiming responsibility for Ms. Petito's death."

When the FBI found Laundrie's remains they also found items belonging to him including a notebook, backpack, and a revolver.

In March, Petito's parents filed a lawsuit against Laundrie's parents claiming they had knowledge that their son had killed Petito while she was still missing.

They also accused the Laundries of helping Brian elude investigators.

The Laundries' lawyer Steve Bartolino denied the claims, arguing they "had no obligation to speak to Law Enforcement or any third-party including the Petito family".

The Laundries' lawyer filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, and both sides presented their arguments in Sarasota County, Florida court on Wednesday, June 22, 2022.

On Friday, June 24, Fox News Digital published photographs taken of Laundrie's journal.

The photos of the notebook revealed the manner in which Laundrie killed Gabby.

He wrote in the journal: "Please do not make life harder for my family."

"They lost a son and a daughter. The most wonderful girl in the world. Gabby I'm sorry."

The late Florida native continued to describe the details that led up to him ending Gabby's life.

A judge denied the motion to dismiss the suit brought by Brian Laundrie's parents Christopher and Roberta, meaning it could proceed.

On August 8, 2022, nearly a year after the Moab, Utah police intervened in a fight between Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie, Petito's parents filed a $50million lawsuit against the Moab City Police Department.

Following a private investigation into the body cams and police reports, they claimed that the police were not properly trained to recognize domestic violence.

Instead, they responded to it as if it were a lover's quarrel, letting them go without asking about a scratch on Gabby's face.

The Petitos claim that Gabby should have been protected.

Lifetime airs The Gabby Petito Story at 8pm EST on Saturday, October 1.