Coverage of Gabby Petito case leads to apparent discovery of another body
The intense coverage of the Gabby Petito case has helped bring apparent closure to the family of a Texas man who went missing in Wyoming, where the Long Island native’s body was found, according to a report.
The last trace from Robert Lowery, 46, a father of two from Houston, was reportedly a ping from his cellphone in Jackson on Aug. 23.
Lowery was seen on video from Aug. 19 at a restaurant at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Teton Village. He was last spotted the following day in Bridger-Teton National Forest, where Petito’s body was found Sept. 19, CNN reported, citing the Teton County Sheriff’s Office.
On Tuesday, remains matching Lowery’s description were discovered near the Black Canyon Trail at the base of Teton Pass, Houston’s KPRC-TV reported.
Sheriff’s Deputy Chad Sachse told “Dateline” that the Petito coverage led tipsters to provide new information about Lowery, who went missing 40 miles from where Petito’s body was found, according to the outlet.
Authorities don’t believe the two cases are connected.
“The Teton County Sheriff’s Office informed our family this afternoon that the Search and Rescue Team located a body that fits the description of our son, Robert ‘Bob’ Lowery near Black Canyon Trail. We await the Teton County, WY coroner’s report,” Lowery’s family said in a statement, KPRC said.
“At this time, we especially want to thank Teton County Sheriff’s Deputy Chad Sachse and his department for all of their work during this month that Bob has been missing. We also appreciate the search today by Teton County Search and Rescue volunteer teams and the care and concern demonstrated by so many in the Jackson Hole news media and community,” they said.
“Bob has been a wonderful father, son, brother and friend. Our family wants to thank the news media and others involved in the search for our privacy at this difficult time,” the family added.
In another case in the area, 27-year-old Cian McLaughlin was reported missing four days after he was seen hiking June 8 in Grand Teton National Park without a backpack.
The park conducted an investigation that involved tips from more than 140 people, and more than 45 helicopter searches, some using thermal imaging cameras and other high-tech equipment.
No trace of McLaughlin was found.
