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TAMPA, Florida – A Tampa-based family was traveling across the country when they stumbled upon what appears to be Gabby Petito’s RV in August. Their GoPro captured it on video – all by accident.
On August 27, the Bethune family were trying to find a place to camp for the night when they found themselves in the Spread Creek camping area near Grand Teton National Park, where remains were found on Sunday matching the description. by Gabby. Jenn Bethune said the van they drove past appears to be the converted campervan that Gabby and Brian Laundrie – her fiancé and the person of interest in the case – were using to travel.
But it was only last Saturday that she connected the dots. The Bethunes blog recounts their adventure on their Red, White and Bethune site. She was editing a video of August 27 that night.
“I just needed a break. So I went to get my phone and as soon as I got my phone I got a notification that said I was tagged in a story”, a- she told FOX 13, adding that the post was calling for anyone who has traveled to Grand Teton National Park to browse their photos or video. “I ran over to the computer, pulled out my footage, scanned it and voila, Gabby’s van was taped in there.”
Screenshot provided by Red White and Bethune
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The fact that they even got the video was a “complete accident”. Jenn said her husband Kyle forgot to turn off his GoPro that day. Fortunately for them, the cameras were recording. They use two cameras – one facing the front and the other facing Kyle as he drives.
“We drove by their van – or a white van – and the white van had a Florida license plate,” Jenn recalls. “We were excited because we’re from Florida, you know, the hometown of Tampa Bay. So we wanted to stop and talk to them, but the van was dark and everything was closed.”
READ: Gabby Petito case: Cause of death not yet determined after body found in Wyoming matches missing Florida woman
Jenn said it was 12:05 p.m. on Sunday when she realized that they had probably videotaped the motorhome. At 12:08 am, she called the FBI hotline.
“Relief washed over me because I could give this to their parents, Gabby’s parents and say, ‘Hey, here’s the van. Do whatever you have to do,'” she said. “I was so happy that we got this on camera and we were able to give it to them.”
The FBI had not followed her after she was asked to upload the video to the agency’s website. Gabby’s family confirmed on Sunday that the FBI was aware of the video. Later that day, the FBI found nearby remains that matched Gabby’s description.
FOLLOWING: Gabby Petito’s van spotted in footage from stranger at Grand Teton National Park, family say
The FBI said on Sunday that law enforcement was searching the scattered Spread Creek camping area “located in the Bridger-Teton National Forest on the eastern edge of Grand Teton National Park.”
“I just wanna say Gabby’s family are so amazing. I talked to her mom and dad, [they’re] such wonderful and beautiful people that I am fortunate to know, “Jenn said.” They’re just hurting right now. “
Jenn described the camping area as “desolate” and the Bethunes did not have a strong cell phone signal.
“It’s very dense, there are a lot of bushes, there are a lot of trees,” she said. “All of the off-grid campsites are hidden behind different trees, bushes and the like. You are very separate from everyone and sort of isolated, even though it was very crowded.”
The Bethune family is made up of Jenn, Kyle and their three children. Their fourth child, Ethan, died at the age of 7 in September 2011 on their way to Disney World for their 7th birthday.
The moment Jenn discovered the RV in their GoPro video was Ethan’s birthday.
“He would have been 17 [Sunday]”, she explained,” and I firmly believe that Ethan has helped bring Gabby home for sure. “
Now the next step is to find Brian, Jenn added.
“I think we still need to focus on finding Brian,” she said. “Anyone who still has clues or was in this area at that time or saw it in Florida. No clue is too small. If you think you have video footage, send it. We have to. get the rest of the answers for this family. “
Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-Call-FBI.
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