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Mother of missing van-life woman, 22, says her daughter sent her a text message FIVE DAYS after they last spoke but can’t be sure it was her: Fiancé lawyers up and refuses to speak to cops after returning to Florida

By CHRISTINA COULTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

  • Gabby Petito, 22, of Blue Point, New York – in Suffolk County on eastern Long Island – was reported missing by her family on Saturday
  • She was on a cross-country trip with her fiancé Brian Laundrie in a camper van, but he returned to their home in Northport, Florida, without her 
  • Laundrie has reportedly hired an attorney and refused to cooperate with investigators, Petito’s family said 
  • She was last seen with Laundrie when the couple checked out of a hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah, on August 24
  • Her mother Nicole Schmidt last spoke on the phone with her on August 25 and she said she was in Grand Teton in Wyoming
  • Petito and Laundrie started their road trip on July 2, driving towards Oregon, and documented most of it on Instagram and YouTube 

The mother of New York woman, who has been missing since her fiancé returned home from a cross-country trip without her, has said that the last time they were in contact was over text five days after they spoke over the phone on August 25.

Nicole Schmidt said she texted Gabby Petito on August 27 and 30, but now she isn’t sure if her daughter was on the other end of the exchange because it wasn’t verbal and she didn’t share any photos of herself, Schmidt told Fox News.

‘It was just a text. I did not verbally speak to her,’ she said. ‘I can’t say much, but she’s no longer with the van. I don’t want to say anything more than that but for people looking for her, I want them to look for her now, not look for that van anymore.’

Petito’s fiancé Brian Laundrie came back from their trip in the couple’s van leaving her alone on the other end of the country. He has since hired an attorney and refused to cooperate with investigators or speak publicly about what happened, according to Petito’s family.

Gabby Petito of Blue Point, 22, and her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, set out on their road trip in early July, first driving from Laundrie's home state of Florida to Petito's in New York. Then, the pair set out West toward Salt Lake City. She was reported missing by her family on Saturday, and last posted on her Instagram account in Ogden, Utah, two weeks ago (photo pictured)
Gabby Petito of Blue Point, 22, and her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, set out on their road trip in early July, first driving from Laundrie’s home state of Florida to Petito’s in New York. Then, the pair set out West toward Salt Lake City. She was reported missing by her family on Saturday, and last posted on her Instagram account in Ogden, Utah, two weeks ago (photo pictured)
The above map illustrates the places Petito and Laundrie visited since the start of the trip leaving New York on July 2 to when she last spoke to her family on August 25 from Grand Teton National Park
The above map illustrates the places Petito and Laundrie visited since the start of the trip leaving New York on July 2 to when she last spoke to her family on August 25 from Grand Teton National Park
Fiancé Brian Laundrie (pictured left) has since returned home to Florida with the pair's camper van, according to missing Gabby Petito's father Joseph Petito, and is not cooperating with police in their investigation
Fiancé Brian Laundrie (pictured left) has since returned home to Florida with the pair’s camper van, according to missing Gabby Petito’s father Joseph Petito, and is not cooperating with police in their investigation

Petito, 22, of Blue Point, New York – in Suffolk County on eastern Long Island – was last seen on August 24 checking out of a hotel with Laundrie in Salt Lake City, Utah. The following day she made her final call to her family, telling them that she and Laundrie had traveled to Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.

Her last Instagram, posted on August 25, shows her visiting the Monarch Wall in Ogden, Utah with the caption ‘Happy Halloween’. The pair were heading from Ogden to Yellowstone National Park, just north of Grand Teton, but Petito never made it.

The couple embarked on their trip on July 2 from Blue Point, where they traveled for Petito’s brother’s graduation on June 17. Laundrie returned to their home in North Port, Florida, where the couple moved two years ago, driving the couple’s 2012 Ford Transit van, which police confirmed recovering.

However, it is not clear when he arrived, what he did when he got there or who he told, if anyone, about Petito’s disappearance. She was only reported missing by her mother on Saturday night.

‘[It’s like] drowning with your hands tied behind you,’ Petito’s father, Joseph Petito, told Newsday of his daughter’s disappearance. ‘You can’t describe it. There’s nothing you can do. You can’t control anything.’

The Suffolk County Police Department opened an investigation after her mom Nichole Schmidt filed a missing persons report just before 7pm on Saturday, the agency wrote in a press release.

The Suffolk County Police Department opened an investigation after her mom Nichole Schmidt reported her missing just before 7pm on Saturday, the agency wrote in a press release
The Suffolk County Police Department opened an investigation after her mom Nichole Schmidt reported her missing just before 7pm on Saturday, the agency wrote in a press release
'I can't say much, but she's no longer with the van,' Schmidt told Fox News of her daughter. 'I don't want to say anything more than that but for people looking for her, I want them to look for her now, not look for that van anymore'
‘I can’t say much, but she’s no longer with the van,’ Schmidt told Fox News of her daughter. ‘I don’t want to say anything more than that but for people looking for her, I want them to look for her now, not look for that van anymore’

Neither Petito’s family nor her boyfriend Laundrie could be reached for comment.

Petito was described as 5′ 5′, around 110 pounds, with several tattoos, including one on her forearm reading ‘let it be’.

She and Laundrie moved to North Port, Florida, two years ago from Blue Point, where she grew up and attended Bayport – Blue Point High School.

Father Joseph, who moved to Vero Beach, Florida, in June to be closer to his daughter, described her as ‘very, very free spirited’.

‘Clothes didn’t impress her. Cars didn’t impress her. Experiences – that’s what impressed her.’

The couple started their trip on July 2 after Petito attended her brother’s graduation in New York on June 17. They planned to reach Portland, Oregon, and visit a family friend for Halloween.

The pair had documented their conversion of a 2012 Ford van into a camper and their life traveling in it on YouTube and Instagram, and were developing a social media presence under the name ‘Nomadic Statik.’

Per their Instagram accounts, the pair began their trip on July 2 and traveled to Kansas’ Monument Rocks, Colorado Springs, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Zion National Park and Bryce National Park in Utah and Canyonlands National Park since July 2.

‘Downsizing out life to fit into this itty bitty van was the best decision we’ve ever made,’ Laundrie wrote on Instagram in early July.

‘Sacrificing space to wake up in nature everyday has been no sacrifice at all.’

Vanished without a trace: Timeline of Gabby Petito’s trip and disappearance

July 2: Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie set out on their road trip from Blue Point, New York – in Suffolk County on eastern Long Island

July 5: The couple stopped at Kansas’ Monument Rocks

July 8: Their next stop was Colorado Springs

July 10: Petito updated her Instagram with photos of her walking at Grand Sand Dunes National Park

July 16: Petito’s smiling in a photo from the couple’s next stop at Zion National Park

July 20: Petito informed her Instagram followers that they were at Cedar Breaks

July 21: The next stop was Bryce Canyon National Park

July 26: Petito posted a photo relaxing in a tub at Mystic Hot Springs

July 30: The couple stopped at Canyonlands National Park Mesa Arch

August 12: They couple took a hike at Arches National Park

August 13: Laundrie posted an Instagram photo from their next destination in Moab, Utah

August 24: The couple were seen checking out of a hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah

August 25: Petito’s family spoke to her for the last time over the phone and she said she was in Grand Teton National Park

August 27, 30: Petito’s mom Nicole Schmidt had a text exchange with who she thought was Petito, but didn’t hear from her over the phone to confirm

Unknown date: Laundrie returned to the couple’s home in North port, Florida, without Petito

September 11: Schmidt reported her daughter missing after not hearing from her for nearly two weeks

Neither Petito's family nor her boyfriend Laundrie could be reached for comment at press time. The Suffolk County Police Department opened an investigation after her family reported her missing just before 7 pm on Saturday, the agency wrote in a press release
Neither Petito’s family nor her boyfriend Laundrie could be reached for comment at press time. The Suffolk County Police Department opened an investigation after her family reported her missing just before 7 pm on Saturday, the agency wrote in a press release
'[My daughter] was last physically seen on August 24th when she checked out of a hotel with her boyfriend salt Lake City, Utah,' said Gabby Petito's father, Joseph Petito, on Facebook. '[Brian Laundrie] has since returned home and retained a lawyer, and is uncooperative currently.'
‘[My daughter] was last physically seen on August 24th when she checked out of a hotel with her boyfriend salt Lake City, Utah,’ said Gabby Petito’s father, Joseph Petito, on Facebook. ‘[Brian Laundrie] has since returned home and retained a lawyer, and is uncooperative currently.’
The engaged couple had documented their conversion of a 2012 Ford van into a camper and their life traveling in it on YouTube and Instagram
The engaged couple had documented their conversion of a 2012 Ford van into a camper and their life traveling in it on YouTube and Instagram
Neither Petito's family nor her boyfriend Laundrie could be reached for comment at press time. The pair are pictured together in Canyonlands National Park in Utah
Neither Petito’s family nor her boyfriend Laundrie could be reached for comment at press time. The pair are pictured together in Canyonlands National Park in Utah
The Suffolk County Police Department opened an investigation after her family reported her missing just before 7 pm on Saturday, the agency wrote in a press release.
The Suffolk County Police Department opened an investigation after her family reported her missing just before 7 pm on Saturday, the agency wrote in a press release.
In an Instagram post on July 16, Petito wrote, 'The past two nights camping in Zion have been so cool, literally. We hiked up here in about 100F and it was so nice coming back to our campsite, watching the sky fill with dark clouds, and view the lightning storm in the nice cool air of the light rain.
In an Instagram post on July 16, Petito wrote, ‘The past two nights camping in Zion have been so cool, literally. We hiked up here in about 100F and it was so nice coming back to our campsite, watching the sky fill with dark clouds, and view the lightning storm in the nice cool air of the light rain.

In an Instagram post on July 16, Petito wrote, ‘The past two nights camping in Zion have been so cool, literally. We hiked up here in about 100° and it was so nice coming back to our campsite, watching the sky fill with dark clouds, and view the lightning storm in the nice cool air of the light rain.’

Schmidt said she would remain vigilant and keep up the search for her daughter.

‘I just want people to keep looking and not stop until we find her,’ Schmidt told Newsday. ‘She’s out there somewhere… We won’t stop until we find her.’

Schmidt’s husband and son TJ have posted two missing persons posters on their Instagrams as well as a picture of Petito, appealing for her safe return.

Both warned they were unable to ‘comment any further because there is an active investigation.’

Since Petito’s disappearance, her family has launched a GoFundMe that has accrued $5,000 in just six hours. They have also started a social media campaign on Facebook, simply called ‘Find Gabby,’ where a number of national park visitors have claimed to recognize the pair’s van.

‘While we are working with the FBI, multiple law enforcement agencies, and outside resources to pursue any and all leads the family will need funds and resources to travel and pay for expenses related to an investigation and search on the other side of the country, any help is appreciated,’ reads the body of the fundraiser.

'Downsizing our life to fit into this itty bitty van was the best decision we've ever made,' Laundrie wrote on Instagram in early July.
‘Downsizing our life to fit into this itty bitty van was the best decision we’ve ever made,’ Laundrie wrote on Instagram in early July.
Petito is an artist, a vegetarian and a yoga enthusiast, according to her Instagram page. She was reported missing on Saturday evening, and her family has not heard from her since August 25
Petito is an artist, a vegetarian and a yoga enthusiast, according to her Instagram page. She was reported missing on Saturday evening, and her family has not heard from her since August 25
'I love the van,' Petito said in the couple's YouTube video, which was posted three weeks ago
‘I love the van,’ Petito said in the couple’s YouTube video, which was posted three weeks ago
Since Petito's disappearance, her family has launched a GoFundMe that has accrued $5,000 in just six hours. They have also started a social media campaign on Facebook, simply called ' Find Gabby ,' where a number of national park visitors have claimed to recognize the pair's van
Since Petito’s disappearance, her family has launched a GoFundMe that has accrued $5,000 in just six hours. They have also started a social media campaign on Facebook, simply called ‘ Find Gabby ,’ where a number of national park visitors have claimed to recognize the pair’s van

Since Petito’s disappearance, her family has launched a GoFundMe that has accrued $5,000 in just six hours. They have also started a social media campaign on Facebook, simply called ‘ Find Gabby ,’ where a number of national park visitors have claimed to recognize the pair’s van

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