Robert Lowery: Missing hiker found in same forest as Gabby Petito died by suicide

A missing hiker found dead in the same Wyoming forest where Gabby Petito’s remains were discovered died by suicide, officials said.

Robert “Bob” Lowery, a Houston father of two, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to a Teton County Coroner’s report released Wednesday, NBC reported.

The 46-year-old vanished last month in Wyoming, 40 miles from where the young Long Island woman’s body was found.

He had traveled from his home in Houston to Jackson on August 19 for a solo hiking trip, KPRC-TV reported.

Leigh Lowery, his sister, told NBC’s “Dateline” that he had quit his job in real estate and was going on camping trips before beginning a new job.

He was last seen on August 20 in Bridger-Teton National Forest, where Gabby Petito’s remains were discovered on September 19.

A body matching Lowery’s description was found on September 28 near the Black Canyon Trail at the base of Teton Pass, KPRC-TV reported.

Authorities said at the time that the intense media scrutiny of the Gabby Petito case had encouraged tipsters to volunteer new information about Lowery.

“The widespread news coverage of the Gabby Petito search helped bring light to Lowery’s case, and resulted in at least two members of the public calling local authorities this past weekend with new information about his possible last seen point,” Teton County Search and Rescue said in a news release.

Lowery is survived by his two children, a 15-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter, and their mother, according to GoFundMe page set up in his memory.

“Bob had been missing since August 20th in the greater Jackson Hole area,” the page reads. “The children will have the unconditional love and support our full extended family; however, in the wake their father’s unexpected death, we want to ensure that they are best set up for their future.”

More than $45,000 had been donated towards the fundraiser’s $50,000 goal as of Thursday morning.

“Bob has been a wonderful father, son, brother and friend,” Lowery’s family said in a statement to KPRC-TV. “Our family wants to thank the news media and others involved in the search for our privacy at this difficult time.”