Gabby Petito Utah Probe Info To Be Released Soon: Report

MOAB, UTAH — The findings of an investigation into the Utah traffic stop involving Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie could be released between the early to the middle part of next week, according to a report by Fox News.

Moab Assistant Police Chief Braydon Palmer told the outlet that officials have received the report back from the agency that conducted an investigation into the stop and that they are "reviewing the report, its findings, and the recommendations.”

“I’m hoping early to middle of next week for that to be available for release,” he told the outlet.

Petito disappeared during a cross-country road trip with Laundrie, her fiance, who returned to his parents' Florida home with her van but without her. Petito's parents did not learn of Laundrie's return until after they reported her missing. She was found dead Sept. 19 after her disappearance sparked an interstate search in which news spread over social media, quickly gaining worldwide attention.

While Petito's missing person case was investigated, police bodycam footage was released showing Petito and Laundrie had been involved in a domestic incident in Moab City, Utah, and it drew criticism of how the incident was handled.

An emotional Petito can be seen constantly crying, wiping tears away from her eyes as she explains about an altercation with Laundrie. That was about 2½ weeks before she disappeared.

Moab City officials previously declined to comment to Patch, citing an ongoing review of the matter.

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Police said they were notified by a witness who reported seeing Petito slap Laundrie and then him pushing her away from her camper van on Aug. 12. They were later pulled over after a police officer saw it swerve and hit a curb.

The officer asked Petito why she was crying, and she told him they had been fighting earlier in the day over "some personal issues."

In the footage, which was obtained by Patch from the Moab City Police Department, Petito — who was asked to step out of the van and over to a police cruiser — tells Officer Daniel Robbins, who was wearing a body camera, that Laundrie hit the curb because she "distracted him."

She then tells Robbins she had been apologizing to Laundrie, explaining she was in a bad mood and was stressed out because she had been building a website for her blog.

Laundrie would not let her in the van because she needed to calm down, according to her statements in Robbins' footage.

"He really stresses me out," she said, going on to describe the altercation as "just a bad morning."

Laundrie then tells the officer that Petito "gets really worked up sometimes" and he was trying to distance himself from her, saying that he did shove her to get away from her.

He apologized to the officer.

Laundrie, who had visible scratches on his face, is then asked by the officer how he got them. Laundrie replies that Petito "had her phone" and he was struggling with her as she was trying to take the keys to the van.

He then tells Robbins that the van struck the curb because she grabbed the steering wheel.

A group of officers, including Robbins, then discuss how to handle the situation. They then explain to Laundrie that, based on their investigation — including his and Petito's comments, as well as those of the witness — there was enough evidence to charge Petito with assault, but they were hampered because they live together and he did not want to press charges.

Instead, they told Laundrie that they did not have discretion under the law and suggested giving her a citation for domestic assault, which included a stay-away order. The stay-away order would be in effect for the night, preventing any contact between the two, and then if Laundrie wanted to have the order removed, he could do so the next morning, Robbins told him.

Petito did not want to be separated from Laundrie, though, according to another officer who interviewed her.

Near the end of the video, Robbins decides not to cite Petito for domestic assault and suggests separating the pair for the night.

"I want you guys both to be — tonight — away from each other," he said, adding, "relax, breathe."

Petito's eyes welled up with tears.

"There is no reason to be crying," he said. "I understand this can feel like a nightmare, but you are coming out the golden flower on top."

He reassures Petito, telling her that she is taking the van for the night and Laundrie will go to a hotel, and he urges for the couple to stay away from each other for both of their sakes.

"From what you told me and what he told me, both of you guys have little things that have been building up and building up, and finally the little string that you guys were walking on broke," he said.

The officer then asks Petito if she wants him to let Laundrie know that she loves him and will see him in the morning, and she tells him yes, before adding that he needs to keep his cell phone charged because he is bad about keeping it charged.

Laundrie was later classified a person of interest in Petito's disappearance and was charged in absentia with using her bank card. His remains were later found in a preserve in Florida, and investigators have determined he shot himself in the head.