# Van lifer goes missing on cross country trip with fiancee **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 13, 2021, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604 "2021-09-13T13:48:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2021, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/1 "2021-09-13T13:48:04Z")
Van lifers customize vans as traveling homes. Posting their adventures on social media is a big part of the current lifestyle. Gabby Petito was on a cross country trip with Brian Laundrie. They were traveling in Utah. Her last phone call with family was Aug 24. Laundrie returned to Florida in the van and has retained an attorney. Yeah, this doesn’t sound good. It’s more unsettling (to me) because of the social media posts. They’re hugging and smiling. The perfect couple. The girl’s family has a Facebook search page and there’s already a GoFund for the search. It could be a difficult search because Laundrie was driving through very remote back country. > **[Van-lifer, 22, disappears after cross-country trip to Yellowstone with her...](https://www.tech-gate.org/usa/2021/09/13/van-lifer-22-disappears-after-cross-country-trip-to-yellowstone-with-her-fiancee/?amp=1)** > > A New York woman who was traveling across the United States with her fiancée, while living out of a van, has been reported missing after he returned home without her. Gabby Petito, 22, of Blue Point, New York, was last seen on August 24 when she... ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2021, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/2 "2021-09-13T14:47:09Z")
This is a better link. More information from the father. Gabby had been in a relationship with Laundrie for two years. I imagine living together in a van would heighten any tension between them. [Authorities searching for missing 22-year-old woman last seen in SLC](https://ksltv.com/472490/authorities-searching-for-missing-22-year-old-woman-last-seen-in-slc/)? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2021, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/3 "2021-09-13T15:32:07Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Laundrie returned to Florida in the van and has retained an attorney. Yeah, that doesn’t sound good. They had an argument and he drove off without her is probably the best explanation he could have. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2021, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/4 "2021-09-13T15:34:58Z")
FYI, “fiancée” means the woman. The word you and the reporter want is “fiancé”. Otherwise it’s hard to figure out from the title who’s missing. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2021, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/5 "2021-09-13T15:42:02Z")
I spelled fiance right and then changed it to match the article. I should have trusted my own spelling. What kind of reception did this guy expect when he came home without his girlfriend? It’s not like losing your luggage. I hope she’s OK. It’s troubling that she hasn’t called anyone. She’s had time to get help if her boyfriend just drove away. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2021, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/6 "2021-09-13T15:45:29Z")
ProTip: “soon-to-be ball&chain” is simpler to spell and doesn’t have the weirdly accented “é” thing. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2021, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/7 "2021-09-13T15:57:58Z")
Quote from the ksltv article. It sounds like the thrill of a cross country adventure was wearing off. > [@](#): > > Petito’s parents said the couple documented every step of the way, spending time in Colorado and southern Utah. > “If you look at her Instagram page, you can actually find a lot of evidence of where they were these past few months,” said Schmidt. > > But toward the end of August, the posts started slowing down. Gabbys Instagram. Utah is beautiful. > **[Gabby (@gabspetito) • Instagram photos and videos](https://www.instagram.com/gabspetito/?hl=en)** > > 1M Followers, 227 Following, 98 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Gabby (@gabspetito) ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2021, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/8 "2021-09-13T22:11:46Z")
I note that only the missing woman’s _parents_ are reporting that the boyfriend won’t cooperate with authorities, while saying there’s a bunch of things they’d like to say, but can’t. My ‘more to the story’ meter is pinged. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2021, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/9 "2021-09-13T23:12:49Z")
There’s always more to the story. The police withhold details in active cases. It sounds like they told the parents a few things in confidence. GPS on the phones would usually help locate this woman. But they were traveling in rugged areas and cell service may have been spotty. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2021, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/10 "2021-09-13T23:14:05Z")
The story is weird. How can he not “cooperate”? “So you went cross country with our daughter?” “Yes” “And now you’re back, by yourself?” “Yes” “So, where is our daughter?” -silence- “OK, that’s good enough for me. See you in church Sunday?” ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2021, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/11 "2021-09-14T04:17:36Z")
It is weird. He’s in Florida, she was last seen in Utah or Wyoming, and the missing persons investigation is out of New York. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2021, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/12 "2021-09-14T04:44:28Z")
Finding Gabby may be very difficult? Where do you start looking? Which police department will commit resources to look for the girl or a crime scene? Brian Laundrie has hired a lawyer and probably won’t admit anything. It may take a lucky break.The couple was traveling in National parks. Maybe witnesses will come forward that saw them. It’s only been three weeks and the missing person case is just getting started. I think the family is smart to get national media attention. Maybe witnesses can provide a place to start looking. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2021, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/13 "2021-09-14T05:30:33Z")
> [@outlierrn](#): > > It is weird. He’s in Florida, she was last seen in Utah or Wyoming, and the missing persons investigation is out of New York. Not so weird. Because of COVID they were Virtual Vanning. Van-From-Home. I’m just amazed that there’s so much media attention for a missing attractive young white woman. I guess because it’s never happened before. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2021, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/14 "2021-09-14T06:16:44Z")
It’s a stupid rule to follow in English. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2021, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/15 "2021-09-14T07:02:38Z")
> [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > Because of COVID they were Virtual Vanning. Van-From-Home. Am I being whooshed and not getting the joke? Is virtual vanning an actual thing? ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2021, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/16 "2021-09-14T07:09:37Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Am I being whooshed and not getting the joke? Is virtual vanning an actual thing? Not that I’ve ever heard of. 😅 ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2021, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/17 "2021-09-14T09:09:22Z")
I read the van was impounded and is being searched by law enforcement. Presumably it is owned by the guy (Brian Laundrie). If it’s just a missing person case - and there’s no evidence of a crime (yet) - where does law enforcement get the authority to impound the van and perform a search? ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2021, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/18 "2021-09-14T13:05:28Z")
Assuming that it is his van and he did not consent to the search, then the standard for a search warrant is probable cause. That’ll be very dependent on what evidence the police already have. The circumstances already disclosed _could_ be enough to get a judge to sign off on a search warrant (which his defense could challenge if it came to that). It’s also possible that officers have more information than they’ve disclosed that would support a warrant. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2021, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/19 "2021-09-14T13:29:41Z")
North Port Florida Police seem to be leading the investigation. No one knows for sure if a crime took place or in which jurisdiction. Gabbys last Instagram post bothers me. A Halloween greeting in August? Seems like she’d save that post for Oct. Maybe someone else used her Instagram account? [Gabby Petito disappearance: Van found at boyfriend's North Port family home](https://www.fox13news.com/news/north-port-pd-find-van-used-by-missing-woman-boyfriend-on-cross-country-trip) > [@](#): > > In a statement, North Port PD said, “We currently have no definitive information that a crime took place here in North Port. With that said, the circumstances are odd. The vehicle she was traveling in was located here in North Port. So, we are actively gathering local details and any evidence to assist in finding needed answers.” > > North Port police spokesperson Josh Taylor said they are not ruling anything out, including that Gabrielle may not want to be found. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2021, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/20 "2021-09-14T13:53:34Z")
> [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > > [@outlierrn](#): > > > > It is weird. He’s in Florida, she was last seen in Utah or Wyoming, and the missing persons investigation is out of New York. > > Not so weird. Because of COVID they were Virtual Vanning. Van-From-Home. Where do you get the idea that they weren’t actually traveling anywhere? One of the articles upthread reads, “Officials are looking for a missing 22-year-old woman who was last seen traveling through Utah and Wyoming with her boyfriend.” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604.md?page=2)