It has been one year exactly since Gabby Petito‘s remains were discovered. It was one year ago today that her family’s biggest fear was confirmed – their daughter was dead.

Before her death, Petito and her fiance, Brian Laundrie, set off on a cross country road trip which Petito documented on social media, until she didn’t. She also stopped communicating with her parents, and Laundrie eventually returned to his parents’ home in Florida in the vehicle he and Petito were driving, but Petito wasn’t with him. That’s when suspicions arose.

During the manhunt for Petito, Laundrie disappeared. After Petito’s remains were discovered, Laundrie’s remains were eventually discovered as well. In a notebook that was found near his remains, he admitted to killing Petito. He wrote, “I ended her life.” He added, “I thought it was merciful, that it is what she wanted, but I see now all the mistakes I made. I panicked, I was in shock.” Laundrie died by suicide.

Putting it mildly, it has been a difficult year for the parents of Petito and Laundrie. While the Laundries are mourning the loss of their son, the Petitos are mourning the loss of their daughter and suing the Laundries, claiming that they knew what happened to their daughter before her remains were discovered and that they could have assisted in the search.

Now, on the one year anniversary of his daughter’s remains being found, Petito’s father, Joseph Petito, has shared a message on social media thanking everyone for their support. He wrote, “I want to thank everyone for the love and support you have shown our families. It’s because of all of you we were able to bring #Gabbypetito home.” He also urged everyone to help spread the stories of other missing people. He wrote, “please take a moment and share a #missingpersons story to help bring them home safe. Every story deserves the same attention.”

 

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A post shared by Joseph Petito (@petitojoseph)

Many people commented on Petito’s post sharing their sorrow for the tragic death of his daughter and providing comforting words that she will never be forgotten. One comment reads, “A year on, and people all over the world are holding Gabby and her family in our thoughts.”

Another person wrote, “We were all a nation trying & succeeding to bring your Gabby home. Prayers of comfort to you and yours and May Gabby continue to rest in sweet peace.”