Second Body Found Near Same Area as Gabby Petito’s, Ending Separate Missing Person Case

Gabrielle "Gabby" Petito. Courtesy of FBI Denver via AP

The search for Gabby Petito led rescuers to another body in Wyoming that officials believe belongs to another missing individual, said local authorities.

The remains discovered Tuesday in Bridger-Teton National Forest, near Grand Teton National Park, are similar to a description of Robert Lowery, a 46-year-old Texas man who went missing about a month ago, said the Teton County Search and Rescue in a news release.

Lowery was last seen on the Black Canyon Trail in the Bridger-Teton National Forest, officials said. The body was found Tuesday after a four-hour search with the help of several K-9 teams and 25 search volunteers, officials said.

“The widespread news coverage of the Gabby Petito search helped bring light to Lowery’s case, and resulted in at least two members of the public calling local authorities this past weekend with new information about his possible last seen point,” the release from the search and rescue team reads.

Investigators found what they believe is likely Lowery’s body and a duffle bag that appeared to match the description of the one he was carrying “significantly off-trail on a steep, wooded slope,” the news release said.

The identity of the body has not yet been confirmed. The manner and cause of death have also not been disclosed pending an investigation.

“Collectively, the search teams hiked more than 75 miles and covered 22,500 feet in elevation,” the agency said.

Lowery’s family thanked Teton County law enforcement for their work.

“Bob has been a wonderful father, son, brother, and friend,” the family told Fox News in a statement. “Our family wants to thank the news media and others involved in the search for our privacy at this difficult time.”

According to an online fundraiser, “Bob, a loving father, is survived by two beautiful children, Meredith and Luke, and their mother, Christelle. The children will have the unconditional love and support of our full extended family; however, in the wake [of] their father’s unexpected death, we want to ensure that they are best set up for their future.”

Meanwhile, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies are still searching for the whereabouts of Brian Laundrie, the key person of interest involved in the Petito case. The young woman was found dead in Wyoming several weeks ago, and her manner of death was ruled a homicide.

FBI agents on Thursday again searched the property of Laundrie’s parents and went through a camper in their driveway before leaving with a bag, reporters on the scene said.

Laundrie family attorney Steven Bertolino released a statement saying that “the FBI is at the Laundrie home today to collect some personal items belonging to Brian that will assist the canines in their search for Brian. There is nothing more to this.”