Mystery disappearance of 22-year-old woman in Utah

Woman’s boyfriend is now a person of interest after returning home to Florida

This image from a police bodycam, taken on August 12 by the Moab City Police Department in Utah, shows Gabrielle Petito following an altercation with her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie. AFP

American authorities have launched a search for a 22-year-old woman who mysteriously vanished during a road trip with her boyfriend, now declared a “person of interest” in a case gripping the nation.

Gabrielle “Gabby” Petito quit her job and packed her life into a camper van for a cross-country adventure with Brian Laundrie, 23, documenting their journey in a stream of idyllic-seeming Instagram posts.

But, more two weeks ago, Mr Laundrie returned to his home in North Port, Florida, alone in Ms Petito's van. Ten days later, her family filed a missing-person report.

Mr Laundrie has declined to co-operate with police.

“We share the frustration with the world right now,” North Port Police Chief Todd Garrison told reporters on Thursday.

“Two people went on a trip, one person returned and that person that returned isn't providing us any information.”

Mr Garrison said the Federal Bureau of Investigation was helping with the case.

The couple embarked on their journey across the US in July, leaving from New York on the east coast, and posting photos of magnificent views of the American West and themselves smiling happily next to their small white van.

In one YouTube video published during their trip, Ms Petito and Mr Laundrie are shown kissing tenderly, enjoying a sunset together and walking on a beach.

However, in August, police in Utah responded to a domestic violence report involving Ms Petito and Mr Laundrie.

Police bodycam footage published by US media showed a distraught Ms Petito saying she had had an altercation with Mr Laundrie.

Speaking to a police officer after their van was pulled over, Ms Petito was seen crying and saying she struggles with mental health problems.

Ms Petito said she slapped Mr Laundrie after an argument, but added she meant no harm.

“We've just been fighting this morning, some personal issues,” she said.

“He wouldn't let me in the car before … he told me I needed to calm down.”

Mr Laundrie told police that Ms Petito tried to get the van keys from him and he pushed her before she hit him with her phone.

The police officer decided no charges would be brought but ordered the couple to spend a night apart to calm down.

Ms Petito last communicated with her parents in late August when the couple were in the area of the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, the family said.

Joe Petito, Gabby Petito's father, appealed for anyone with information on her whereabouts to contact the authorities, adding that an anonymous tip line has been set up.

“I am asking for help from everyone here, I am asking for help from everyone at home,” Joe Petito said at a press conference on Thursday.

“I am asking for help from the parents of Brian and I am asking help from the family and friends of the Laundrie family as well.”

“There is nothing else that matters to me now.”

Gabrielle Petito's mother and stepfather issued a statement saying they were “going through the worst moments of their lives”.

“Their beautiful twenty-two year old daughter is missing and the one person that can help find Gabby refuses to help,” the statement said.

Ms Petito's mother and stepfather “implore Brian to come forward and at least tell us if we are looking in the right area”.

Social media on Thursday was flooded with photos of Ms Petito and calls to help find her.