Gabby's Parent
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It's an indescribable feeling in your body. And you don't sleep, you don't eat. From that moment on, it's nonstop.
It's an indescribable feeling in your body. And you don't sleep, you don't eat. From that moment on, it's nonstop.
I was texting her a lot more, like, things like, are you and Brian okay? Because I was worried about that dynamic, being stuck in the van together 24 hours a day.
I was texting her a lot more, like, things like, are you and Brian okay? Because I was worried about that dynamic, being stuck in the van together 24 hours a day.
In those videos where he rolls his eyes, I never noticed that before. And seeing that really hit me. I was like, wow, that's who he really is. He showed his true colors.
In those videos where he rolls his eyes, I never noticed that before. And seeing that really hit me. I was like, wow, that's who he really is. He showed his true colors.
The August 12 incident, when they got pulled over, That day was a pivotal moment in that relationship.
The August 12 incident, when they got pulled over, That day was a pivotal moment in that relationship.
Again, I believe that was the pivotal moment. I think that was the moment when she even realized, I need to get the hell out of this. How can I do it on my own? She didn't want to ask us for help. But she asked for her mom, like, in that.
Again, I believe that was the pivotal moment. I think that was the moment when she even realized, I need to get the hell out of this. How can I do it on my own? She didn't want to ask us for help. But she asked for her mom, like, in that.
You see that in the video. There's a spot in the documentary, and... She says, can I have my phone so I can call my mom?
You see that in the video. There's a spot in the documentary, and... She says, can I have my phone so I can call my mom?
Then I didn't get that phone call. Because maybe at that moment, maybe she would have told me what was going on.
Then I didn't get that phone call. Because maybe at that moment, maybe she would have told me what was going on.
We would have went to the edge of the earth to find her.
We would have went to the edge of the earth to find her.
If I had had that opportunity at that moment to speak to her, I think because she was in the back of the police car, she would have said more to me than after thinking about it too long, later on calling me and telling me it was just a bad day. I just had a rough day. I was stressed out. Brian and I are fine. Now that video is the truth. We have the truth.
If I had had that opportunity at that moment to speak to her, I think because she was in the back of the police car, she would have said more to me than after thinking about it too long, later on calling me and telling me it was just a bad day. I just had a rough day. I was stressed out. Brian and I are fine. Now that video is the truth. We have the truth.
We're not the same people we were before this happened. There was life before and life after.
We're not the same people we were before this happened. There was life before and life after.
She seemed a little stressed, but other than that, she was loving every moment, visiting all the national parks and doing things that I've never done.
She seemed a little stressed, but other than that, she was loving every moment, visiting all the national parks and doing things that I've never done.
Her parents didn't see it till much later. I was watching the body language in that video and it just didn't look right. He slams the door to the van, they walk in, she's got her arms crossed.
Her parents didn't see it till much later. I was watching the body language in that video and it just didn't look right. He slams the door to the van, they walk in, she's got her arms crossed.
I questioned it, but then I thought there was fires out that way. Maybe they had to reroute. Maybe Brian did send the text. Maybe she's driving the van. Like, I had all these reasons as to why maybe it was from her. But that was the last text I received, and every day I'm like, Gabby, Gabby, Gabby, and I'm getting nothing. Then I'm like, let me check social media. There's got to be something.
I questioned it, but then I thought there was fires out that way. Maybe they had to reroute. Maybe Brian did send the text. Maybe she's driving the van. Like, I had all these reasons as to why maybe it was from her. But that was the last text I received, and every day I'm like, Gabby, Gabby, Gabby, and I'm getting nothing. Then I'm like, let me check social media. There's got to be something.
Nothing. So I called Joe. I said, I'm worried. He said he hadn't heard from her. So you guys are texting each other, calling each other.
Nothing. So I called Joe. I said, I'm worried. He said he hadn't heard from her. So you guys are texting each other, calling each other.
and said, don't talk to strangers. Little did I know, it doesn't have to be a stranger that's the evil person.
and said, don't talk to strangers. Little did I know, it doesn't have to be a stranger that's the evil person.
Protesters started gathering outside the laundry house. The truth always comes out. Where's Brian? Where's Gabby? I said, he did something to her, and I know it.
Protesters started gathering outside the laundry house. The truth always comes out. Where's Brian? Where's Gabby? I said, he did something to her, and I know it.
I was texting her, are you and Brian okay? Because I was worried about that dynamic, being stuck in the van together 24 hours a day, but never in a million years did we think that he would harm her. That didn't cross your mind?
I was texting her, are you and Brian okay? Because I was worried about that dynamic, being stuck in the van together 24 hours a day, but never in a million years did we think that he would harm her. That didn't cross your mind?
Oh, yeah. She wouldn't have given that van up. Did you immediately just think something is not right? Oh, my God. I think I said he did something to her. I know it.
Oh, yeah. She wouldn't have given that van up. Did you immediately just think something is not right? Oh, my God. I think I said he did something to her. I know it.
We worked together as a team, and now we're even closer than ever.
We worked together as a team, and now we're even closer than ever.
We would have went to the edge of the earth to find her.
We would have went to the edge of the earth to find her.
You were feeling pretty desperate then. Nobody actually laid eyes on Brian. But his parents came to the door and said he was home. It was just chaos.
You were feeling pretty desperate then. Nobody actually laid eyes on Brian. But his parents came to the door and said he was home. It was just chaos.
It's an indescribable feeling in your body. And you don't sleep. You don't eat. From that moment on, it's nonstop.
It's an indescribable feeling in your body. And you don't sleep. You don't eat. From that moment on, it's nonstop.
In the very beginning of this investigation at Brian's parents' house, media was lining the street up and down.
In the very beginning of this investigation at Brian's parents' house, media was lining the street up and down.
Numerous law enforcement agencies are involved in the search inside the Carleton Reserve. They're using drones, UTVs, ATVs, and they're searching a heavily wooded area. 75% of it is underwater.
Numerous law enforcement agencies are involved in the search inside the Carleton Reserve. They're using drones, UTVs, ATVs, and they're searching a heavily wooded area. 75% of it is underwater.
Two people went on this vacation. You can't keep chocolate in Utah. And only one returned.
Two people went on this vacation. You can't keep chocolate in Utah. And only one returned.
Do you remember the moment she first started talking about Brian? They had known each other in high school as friends.
Do you remember the moment she first started talking about Brian? They had known each other in high school as friends.
The crazy part about that video from the Bethunes is that for some reason the camera was rolling and it wasn't supposed to be.
The crazy part about that video from the Bethunes is that for some reason the camera was rolling and it wasn't supposed to be.
It was assembly when we saw it. It gives you, like, the heebie-jeebies, but at the same time, you're like, there's a clue. Like, that's where the van was. That's probably the last location.
It was assembly when we saw it. It gives you, like, the heebie-jeebies, but at the same time, you're like, there's a clue. Like, that's where the van was. That's probably the last location.
That was the worst phone call of my life.
That was the worst phone call of my life.
We would have went to the edge of the earth to find her.
We would have went to the edge of the earth to find her.
On September 19th, the FBI announced that they had located remains just outside Grand Teton National Park in Bridger-Teton National Forest.
On September 19th, the FBI announced that they had located remains just outside Grand Teton National Park in Bridger-Teton National Forest.
We're not the same people we were before this happened. There was life before and life after.
We're not the same people we were before this happened. There was life before and life after.
I liked Brian. I thought he was interesting. He was very soft-spoken. He would sit and do art with Gabby's younger sisters. He got along with TJ, her brother, and he just seemed like a nice person.
I liked Brian. I thought he was interesting. He was very soft-spoken. He would sit and do art with Gabby's younger sisters. He got along with TJ, her brother, and he just seemed like a nice person.
I was texting every day. I wasn't getting a response. And then finally, on August 30th, I get a text that says, we have no signal. We're in Yosemite. Like, I had all these reasons as to why maybe it was from her. But that was the last text I received.
I was texting every day. I wasn't getting a response. And then finally, on August 30th, I get a text that says, we have no signal. We're in Yosemite. Like, I had all these reasons as to why maybe it was from her. But that was the last text I received.
I remember the first time I read that letter, I had to read it like three times because I was so confused. I didn't understand anything.
I remember the first time I read that letter, I had to read it like three times because I was so confused. I didn't understand anything.
It made me feel like very uncomfortable and I felt sick to my stomach. I was like, how is this even possible?
It made me feel like very uncomfortable and I felt sick to my stomach. I was like, how is this even possible?
We've gotten leads from 30 countries.
We've gotten leads from 30 countries.
I said to her, do it if you think you feel like you want to, but you can always come home. At that point, she was almost 20. So I couldn't tell her no, but she was looking for my advice. I think she asked all of us.
I said to her, do it if you think you feel like you want to, but you can always come home. At that point, she was almost 20. So I couldn't tell her no, but she was looking for my advice. I think she asked all of us.
It's very therapeutic for us. Almost like when you go to one of those rage rooms and you get to smash things.
It's very therapeutic for us. Almost like when you go to one of those rage rooms and you get to smash things.
Yeah, we wanted her to be independent. You know, make sure you get yourself a job, that you can pay for things.
Yeah, we wanted her to be independent. You know, make sure you get yourself a job, that you can pay for things.
I really think when it came to her and Brian, she saw the best in him. She looked at the good. That's who she was.
I really think when it came to her and Brian, she saw the best in him. She looked at the good. That's who she was.
When they were in New York still, I would see him and talk to him quite often. But once they got down to Florida, that relationship was very limited. I was talking to Gabby almost every day, but not Brian. Same for us. But soon Gabby and Brian take a big step. I thought it was weird that she didn't want to tell us right away.
When they were in New York still, I would see him and talk to him quite often. But once they got down to Florida, that relationship was very limited. I was talking to Gabby almost every day, but not Brian. Same for us. But soon Gabby and Brian take a big step. I thought it was weird that she didn't want to tell us right away.
Remember that Halloween she painted her face? She painted her own makeup.
Remember that Halloween she painted her face? She painted her own makeup.
Yeah, I took that in the Outer Banks. Isn't that the best picture? She was a ham for the camera, that's for sure. Oh, she never took a bad picture.
Yeah, I took that in the Outer Banks. Isn't that the best picture? She was a ham for the camera, that's for sure. Oh, she never took a bad picture.
There were a few incidents. Never anything with Brian. It was always like she always felt weird around the parents. I thought about that a lot. I was like, I wonder what's going on with the parents. Like, what's the relationship like? But she would always assure me that it was fine.
There were a few incidents. Never anything with Brian. It was always like she always felt weird around the parents. I thought about that a lot. I was like, I wonder what's going on with the parents. Like, what's the relationship like? But she would always assure me that it was fine.
I looked at Brian, and I said, you better keep her safe. And he was like, I will. Were there any red flags that this was coming?
I looked at Brian, and I said, you better keep her safe. And he was like, I will. Were there any red flags that this was coming?
Were you surprised? I thought it was weird. Now looking back, I thought it was weird that she didn't want to tell us right away. Like, that's something you get excited about.
Were you surprised? I thought it was weird. Now looking back, I thought it was weird that she didn't want to tell us right away. Like, that's something you get excited about.
She was excited about the planning. I feel like she was like, yay, I can plan this wedding, pick out dresses. She started a Pinterest page.
She was excited about the planning. I feel like she was like, yay, I can plan this wedding, pick out dresses. She started a Pinterest page.
Gabby loves that van. Oh, yeah. She wouldn't have given that van up.
Gabby loves that van. Oh, yeah. She wouldn't have given that van up.
The van looked amazing. Everything looked pretty.
The van looked amazing. Everything looked pretty.
Then I didn't get that phone call. I think she even realized, I need to get the hell out of this.
Then I didn't get that phone call. I think she even realized, I need to get the hell out of this.
And said that, you know, they had plenty of money saved up for it. You know, she had been working up until right before they left.
And said that, you know, they had plenty of money saved up for it. You know, she had been working up until right before they left.
I was not. I didn't send her any money. Joe. Joe might have sent her money.
I was not. I didn't send her any money. Joe. Joe might have sent her money.
She took him camping as a graduation gift and a birthday graduation gift, because it was also his birthday. But her, Brian, and TJ went on a camping trip. I think it was in Pennsylvania.
She took him camping as a graduation gift and a birthday graduation gift, because it was also his birthday. But her, Brian, and TJ went on a camping trip. I think it was in Pennsylvania.
And they came back. And not too long after that, they left, beginning of July.
And they came back. And not too long after that, they left, beginning of July.
I was absolutely the luckiest one. I got to give her a hug goodbye. And it was the most amazing, squeezy hug. And she was crying. And I said, why are you crying? And she was like, I don't know. And I just was like, maybe she's just so excited. And then I looked at Brian and I said, you better take good care of her, keep her safe. And he was like, I will. This is very soft spoken, I will.
I was absolutely the luckiest one. I got to give her a hug goodbye. And it was the most amazing, squeezy hug. And she was crying. And I said, why are you crying? And she was like, I don't know. And I just was like, maybe she's just so excited. And then I looked at Brian and I said, you better take good care of her, keep her safe. And he was like, I will. This is very soft spoken, I will.
And I cherish that moment. That was the last time I had her in my arms. Did you trust that they would be OK together? I did. I did. Didn't want to worry. I knew she'd be okay. And... I mean, as a mom, I was worried a little bit. I said, you're going to be out on the road, the two of you alone. Just be careful. Be safe. Don't talk to strangers, all that stuff.
And I cherish that moment. That was the last time I had her in my arms. Did you trust that they would be OK together? I did. I did. Didn't want to worry. I knew she'd be okay. And... I mean, as a mom, I was worried a little bit. I said, you're going to be out on the road, the two of you alone. Just be careful. Be safe. Don't talk to strangers, all that stuff.
She had asked if we could get her a drone. So her grandpa, Stan, and I kind of split that. We bought her the drone. And that made that video so much better. And she was like a natural at that stuff. Brian's stretching, doing some morning yoga.
She had asked if we could get her a drone. So her grandpa, Stan, and I kind of split that. We bought her the drone. And that made that video so much better. And she was like a natural at that stuff. Brian's stretching, doing some morning yoga.