Driveway candlelight vigil held for Gabby Petito on Long Island, funeral details released

ByEyewitness News WABC logo

Saturday, September 25, 2021

Gabby Petito memorial to be held Sunday on Long Island

Gabby Petito's memorial will be held Sunday in Holbrook.

BLUE POINT, Long Island (WABC) -- Armed with lighters and freighted with sorrow, on Friday, residents of Blue Point resolved to find light in the dark tragedy. They lit candles for Gabby Petito in a memorial that stretched as far as the eye could see - to show her family they aren't alone.

Residents across Bayport-Blue Point held a vigil for Gabby Petito Friday evening, placing candles at the base of their driveways to remember the young woman whose disappearance has garnered nationwide attention.

Organizers spread the word of "Light the Night For Gabby Petito" in the hopes the event will not only spread across Long Island but also the country.

The candles were being given out along with a request for a $20 donation, with the proceeds going to Gabby's family.

ALSO READ: ABC Exclusive: Full interview with Brian Laundrie's sister on Gabby Petito

ABC News interviews Cassie Laundrie, Brian Laundrie's sister about Gabby Petito's disappearance.

A funeral will be held Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. at Moloney's Holbrook Funeral Home, with the service open to the public.

The family has also given its blessing for the media to be there.

Moloney Funeral home will be taking extraordinary measures to preserve the privacy of the family and friends of Gabby Petito at Sunday's funeral service. The Suffolk County Police Department will have extra resources for traffic and safety.

Petito, 22, was reported missing September 11 by her parents after they she did not respond to calls and texts for several days while on a cross-country road trip with fiance Brian Laundrie, who is considered a person of interest in her death.

Those who wish to leave condolences should visit the funeral home's website. For phone inquiries call 631-375-1997

Laundrie remained missing Friday, with an active warrant for his arrest related to activities following Petito's death.

The U.S. District Court of Wyoming issued the warrant and indictment, alleging unauthorized use of a Capital One debit card and pin code with "intent to defraud."

Petito's body was discovered Sunday at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, and a coroner ruled her death a homicide.

The search for Laundrie continues in a massive reserve that includes thousands of acres of forbidding, swampy subtropical terrain replete with alligators, snakes, turkey, deer and other wild creatures.

There are more than 100 miles of hiking and horseback riding trails.

RELATED | Gabby Petito disappearance timeline: What we know so far

Gabby Petito was traveling with her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, in a cargo van the two had outfitted as a makeshift recreational vehicle for a months-long cross-country road trip when she mysteriously disappeared.

The FBI said investigators are still seeking information from anyone who may have seen the couple around Grand Teton.