UW-Oshkosh student says she gave ride to Brian Laundrie in Wyoming

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MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh student hopes her small connection to the Gabby Petito disappearance investigation may help solve the case.

Miranda Baker was vacationing with her boyfriend in the Tetons in late August.

She posted a series of videos to TikTok over the weekend explaining while there, she believes she gave a ride to Brian Laundrie, the person of interest in the Petito investigation who is now missing himself.

"He offered to pay us $200 to give him a ride, like 10 miles," said Baker.

In a series of TikTok videos posted this weekend, Baker recounted her strange experience with Laundrie in Wyoming.

"He then told us he's been camping multiple days without his fiancé. He did say he had a fiancé, and she was working on their social media page back in their van," said Baker.

She said she recognized Laundrie from his TikTok page. She created a map of where they picked him up and dropped him off. Laundrie has been named a person of interest in the disappearance of Petito.

Authorities said they found a body matching Petito's description on Sunday, Sept. 19.

Baker said once Laundrie learned they were going to Jackson, Wyoming, he abruptly changed his mind about the ride.

"He freaked out, he's like nope, I need to get out right now, pull over," said Baker.

Baker said they called police. The North Port Florida Police Department confirmed it spoke with her and may use her information to help build out a timeline. Baker said the whole experience in Wyoming was strange and Laundrie's appearance didn't seem to match his story.

"He had like scruff, but he didn't look dirty for someone who's been camping multiple days, he didn't look dirty, he didn't smell dirty so that part was kind of weird," said Baker.

Police have not released a cause of death for Petito.

Laundrie is now missing as well.

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