Newly released video shows Gabby Petito telling Moab officers Brian Laundrie hit her
SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Newly released body cam video from the Moab Police Department in Utah shows Gabby Petito told officers during a traffic stop that Brian Laundrie hit her.
The video was from the traffic stop stemming from a 911 call, where a witness told dispatchers he saw Laundrie hit Petito.
Here is a transcription of the body camera video:
Officer: “Did he hit you though? I mean, it's okay if you're saying you hit him. I understand if he hit you, but we want to know the truth if he actually hit you."
Petito: "I, I guess, yeah, but I hit him first."
Officer: "Where did he hit you? Don't, don't worry. Just be honest."
Petito: "He like grabbed my face, like, I guess. He didn’t like hit me in the face. He didn’t like punch me in the face."
Officer: "Did he slap your face or what?"
Petito: "Well, he like grabbed me, like, with his nail, and I guess that's why it hurts. I definitely have a cut. Like, I can feel it."
The responding officers did not cite or arrest either Petito or Laundrie during the stop.
That incident is now being investigated because state law requires officers to make an arrest during a domestic violence call if there's any sign of harm.
Moab Police Chief Bret Edge took a leave of absence right in the middle of the investigation of his responding officers.
The Grand County Sheriff's Office reviewed the dispatch call Thursday and said everything was handled appropriately, and all the information was promptly dispatched to law enforcement.
The FBI was at the Laundrie home on Thursday to collect some of Brian's personal items that will assist the canines in their search.
