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Video Transcript

Good afternoon. My name is Charles Jones. I’m the supervisory senior resident agency here in Wyoming for FBI Denver.

Standing with me here today are acting are acting Chief Ranger Mat Wilber for the National Park Service, Hunter Bailey, who is chief of the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch. We also have Teton County Sheriff Matt Carr and Jackson Police Chief Michelle Weber.

First and foremost, on behalf of the FBI personnel and our partners, I would like to extend sincere and heartfelt condolences to Gabby’s family Joe and Tara Petito and Jim and Nicole Smith. As every parent can imagine, this is an incredibly difficult time for the family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. We ask that you all respect their privacy as we mourn the loss of their daughter.

As you are aware, FBI personnel, in coordination with our partners at National Park Service, the Forest Service, Teton County Sheriff’s Office, and Jackson Police Department, have been conducting investigative activity in the vicinity of Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area. Earlier today, human remains were discovered consistent with the description of Gabrielle “Gabby” Petito. Full forensic identification has not been completed to confirm 100 percent that we found Gabby. But her family has been notified of this discovery.

The cause of death has not been determined at this time. We appreciate your continued support and patience as we work through this process.

The vicinity around Spread Creek campsite will remain closed to the public until further notice. This is an active and ongoing investigation. So, we ask that everyone maintain distance from law enforcement personnel and equipment, vehicles, and related activity for your own safety as well as to protect the integrity of our work and respect privacy of Gabby’s family.

We appreciate the tremendous support from the public. The support from the public’s response to tips has been remarkable. We continue to seek information from anyone who utilized the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area between the dates of August 27 and August 30. Anyone that may have had contact with Gabby of her boyfriend or who may have seen their vehicle in that area, please share any new information with the FB I at tips.fbi.gov or 1-800-CALL-FBI, and finally the Denver Field Office direct is 303-629-7171. Photos and videos can also be uploaded at fbi.gov/petito.

We thank our partners at the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, Teton County Sheriff’s Office, and Jackson Police Department for their collaboration and diligence in this investigation.

They surged their resources in a very short amount of time. And their personnel have intimate knowledge of the rugged terrain that we’re dealing with, which makes this process much more difficult.

We greatly appreciate the invaluable skill and expertise of the Teton County search and rescue team. We also thank the community of Jackson and the surrounding areas for the hospitality for accommodating a rapid influx of law enforcement personnel in the area.

In order to protect our investigative process and increase possibility for successful prosecution, should it be necessary, we have no additional comment. We appreciate your cooperation and respect for Gabby’s family and loved ones during this difficult time. Thank you.