In the ongoing case surrounding the tragic demise of Gabby Petito, the family of Brian Laundrie, who was the main suspect in her killing and also her boyfriend, have extended a settlement offer to the parents of Petito in the pending civil case.
The families previously reached a $3 million settlement in the wrongful death lawsuit relating to Petito’s murder. Petito’s family will donate the funds to the Gabby Petito Foundation, which works to locate missing people and address domestic violence.
The civil lawsuit taking place in Florida has Joe Petito and Nichole Schmidt, Gabby’s parents, standing against the parents of Brian Laundrie, namely Chris and Robert Laundrie. The lawsuit contends that the Laundries had knowledge about Gabby’s death but opted to not disclose it. This deliberate omission, as alleged, has brought immense emotional distress upon Gabby’s parents who now look forward to receiving compensation for their suffering. A jury trial has been slated for May 2024. Preparations for the trial have begun with depositions carried out from the preceding month. A new settlement has been offered in this case.
Furthermore, Steven Bertolino, who is serving as the legal representative for the Laundries, has also been enlisted as a co-defendant in the ongoing lawsuit.
For context, in 2021, Gabby Petito, aged 22, embarked on a cross-country journey with her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie. However, she went missing in August. Laundrie’s return to Florida did not include her, making him a significant person of interest to the authorities. Within a month, the sad discovery of Petito’s remains was made in Grand Teton National Park, located in Wyoming. Following this revelation, Brian Laundrie’s own death was confirmed in the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park situated in Florida. Investigations into his death confirmed it as a suicide, and it was paired with a confession letter addressing Petito’s murder.
In addition, the Petito family has also initiated a lawsuit against the Moab City Police Department in Utah. This claim suggests that the department failed in its duty to safeguard Gabby, which ultimately led to her tragic end. The department’s officers had previously stepped in when the couple was halted due to noticeable indications of a physical scuffle. However, their subsequent actions were minimal.
Earlier this week, on the two-year anniversary of Gabby’s death, Nichole Schmidt took the opportunity to urge everyone to remember and acknowledge both victims and survivors of domestic violence.
