(NewsReady.com) – Gabby Petito was allegedly murdered by her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, in 2021. The 22-year-old was missing for approximately a month before authorities found her body. Laundrie later killed himself but left a note confessing to the murder. Petito’s parents sued Laundrie’s parents in Sarasota, Florida. The case has finally concluded.
In March 2022, Joseph Petito and Nichole Schmidt filed a lawsuit against Roberta and Christopher Laundrie, as well as their attorney, Steven Bertolino. Petito’s parents accused the Laundries and their attorney of intentionally inflicting emotional distress. The suit claimed they knew Laundrie had murdered Petito as early as August.
According to Petito’s parents, Laundrie contacted his parents on August 29, 2021, and said that Gabby was “gone” and he needed them to get him a lawyer. After the call, Laundrie traveled back to North Port, Florida, in Petito’s van. Schmidt reported her daughter missing on September 11.
Authorities found her body on September 19 in Wyoming’s Spread Creek Dispersed Camping area. Laundrie’s parents reported him missing on September 13. She was strangled to death. Law enforcement found his remains on October 20 in the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in Florida. He died by suicide.
Petito’s parents allege Laundrie’s parents knew she was dead the entire time but did nothing but release a statement through Bertolino.
On February 21, ABC News reported that Joseph and Tara Petito (dad and stepmom), and Nichole and James Schmidt (mom and stepdad), released a joint statement saying they participated in mediation with the Laundries and Bertolino. After the mediation, the parties reached a “confidential resolution.” They all agreed to the settlement “in order to avoid further legal expenses and prolonged personal conflict.”
The statement went on to say they hoped to move on from this part of their lives, and instead honor the memory Gabby left behind.
The Laundries and Bertolino only stated that they participated in mediation and that the settlement was confidential.
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