Body Thought To Be Brian Laundrie Was RI Man: Report

Cranston RI

15 October, 2021

12:43 PM

Description

PROVIDENCE, RI — The body of a man found in North Carolina has been identified as that of a Rhode Islander, the Associated Press reported. The body was recovered Oct. 9 near the Yadkin Valley Overlook in Watauga County, the AP said. Rumors swirled that it could be Brian Laundrie, the wanted fiancé in the now-infamous case of Gabby Petito. The National Park Service later identified the body as 33-year-old Josue Xavier Calderon, according to the AP. His death was ruled a homicide by the North Carolina State Medical Examiner's Office. Calderon's obituary said he was a Cumberland resident and "loving dad, son, brother and friend." Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly spelled Brian Laundrie's name.