After unintentional filming led to a breakthrough in the investigation, a couple of YouTube vloggers may have 'cracked' the disappearance of missing Gabby Petito.
The missing influencer's white campervan was observed in footage taken at a national park before a body was discovered during searches today.
The photographs, which were captured by YouTube vloggers Jenn and Kyle Bethune, were allegedly turned on to authorities, who eventually discovered a body that matched Gabby's description.
The FBI announced that remains have been discovered in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park.
The body's official identification has yet to be completed.
Gabby's family earlier stated that the FBI was aware of a video taken by the park on August 27 showing the influencer's converted RV at Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area.
On Sunday, Jenn and Kyle Bethune uploaded the footage to their YouTube channel.
“Tonight I was editing our video with footage from the Grand Tetons area from August 27th 2021 at around 6:00pm,” they stated. Spread Creek Dispersed Camping was the location.
"We passed by a white van, and Kyle and I both recognized the Florida plates (we're from Florida, too), and we wanted to stop and say hello, but the vehicle was dark, and there didn't appear to be anyone inside.
"So we continued on our way. We ultimately departed and parked in the gravel area upfront.
"On Instagram today, I received a message that said, "Please tell your 10k followers about Gabby."
Followers commended their efforts in comments on the video.
One person stated: "Thank you for assisting her soul by being at the right place at the right time, as the universe places individuals in the right places at the right times! Greetings and many blessings to you."
Another person wrote: "This was the key to unlocking the case and bringing Gabby home. God bless you for speaking up. Gabby, rest in peace."
She and her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, were driving cross-country in their camper to see America's western national parks.
Mr. Laundrie then flew back to Florida without Gabby, who hadn't been seen or heard from since sending a farewell text to her mother on August 30.
Her disappearance was reported on September 11th.
The couple's last known whereabouts prior to the release of the new footage were on August 24, when they departed Utah on their way to Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.
Nicole Schmidt, Ms. Petito's mother, spoke to her daughter on Facetime on that day, the last time she knew for sure where she was.
Nicole received two more texts on August 27 and 30, but she is unsure if they were from her daughter.
When the corpse was discovered over the weekend at the Spread Creek campsite near Grand Teton, ground searches were conducted.
In a press briefing, FBI Denver's Charles Jones claimed that remains matching Gabby's description were discovered at the park.
Mr. Jones stated that her family has been notified.
Mr. Laundrie, who went missing last week, is also being sought by Florida detectives in a swampy location.
Josh Taylor, a spokesman for the North Port Police Department, claims Brian could hide in the wetlands "for months"
Mr. Taylor explained, "It's muddy, it's wet, and there are a few unpaved dirt roads out there basically running along the power lines."
“If you wanted to, you could be out here for months,” he added.
A family in the camping location on the same date captured a film of the couple's white van between 6 and 6.30 p.m. on Sunday, August 27.
The family stated, "We had passed by a white van with Florida Plates,"
"We noticed it because we are originally from Florida and wanted to stop and say hi."
"When we passed the van, all of the lights were turned out, and no one appeared to be inside. We had to leave since we couldn't find a parking spot "They went on.
"PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! Check ALL of your film if you were in the vicinity at the time! You might be able to get a video of her van!!!!!!"
The FBI echoed the family's plea, urging anyone who was in the region between August 27 and 30 to contact them if they observed the van.
On the back of the 2012 Ford Transit, there were various stickers and a Florida number plate that read QFTG03.
Before a corpse was discovered, Gabby's family posted the video to the Find Gabby Facebook page.
Her family wrote, "We believe this is the van for multiple reasons,"
"Please don't keep sending the same video to the tip line. This is in the hands of the appropriate individuals.
"Thank you so much, this is exactly why we are asking people to review older photos and video."
At the end of last week, protesters gathered outside Mr. Laundrie's home, asking that he help investigators find his missing partner.
He was last spotted in a swampy nature area near North Port in western Florida, according to a police visit to the Laundrie family home on Friday.
According to the Laundrie family, he drove to the reserve with only a rucksack in his car.
The automobile, on the other hand, was discovered at the family house.
“We prepare for all possibilities,” Mr. Taylor added, “but our goal is to find him and bring him back to North Port.”
The FBI and local police have teamed up to search the marsh.
Mr. Laundrie is being investigated by the North Port Police Department as a person of interest.