Legal action claims Brian Laundrie informed his parents that Gabby Petito had disappeared

December 6, 2023

Updated: December 6, 2023

ATLANTA — The latest developments in the case of Gabby Petito’s tragic death have shed light on a frantic phone call made by Brian Laundrie to his parents, three weeks before her remains were discovered. According to an amended civil complaint filed by Petito’s parents on Nov. 30, Laundrie informed his parents that Gabby was “gone,” sparking further controversy and legal action.

Joseph Petito and Nichole Schmidt are taking legal action against Laundrie’s parents and their attorney, alleging that they intentionally withheld information about Gabby Petito’s death, causing immense pain and emotional distress to the grieving family.

The 22-year-old Petito was reported missing in September 2021 after embarking on a trip with Laundrie, her fiancé. Her remains were found in Wyoming days later, and a coroner ruled her cause of death as strangulation.

Following the discovery of Petito’s remains, Laundrie returned to his Florida home and then disappeared into a reserve for weeks, before investigators found his remains and determined that he died by suicide. Writings found near his remains indicated that he claimed responsibility for Petito’s death.

Amidst the legal battle between Petito’s family and Laundrie’s parents, a recent complaint filed by Petito’s parents revealed that Laundrie called his parents on Aug. 29, 2021, and informed them that Gabby was “gone” and that he needed a lawyer.

The complaint, however, does not explain how Petito’s parents obtained information about the alleged phone call. It alleges that Laundrie’s parents spoke to attorney Steven Bertolino on the same day, sharing with him the message their son had conveyed to them.

Furthermore, the complaint states that on Sept. 2, 2021, Laundrie’s parents sent Bertolino a retainer, and Bertolino entered into a fee agreement with a criminal defense law firm in Wyoming, retaining legal services to represent Brian Laundrie.

As the legal battle continues, Petito’s parents are seeking justice and closure, while the Laundrie family and their attorney have yet to comment on the recent developments.

These latest revelations have added another layer of complexity to the already tragic and controversial case, leaving many questions unanswered and emotions running high.

In a separate development, a Florida judge ruled in favor of Petito’s family in a wrongful death suit against Brian Laundrie’s estate, awarding $3 million to Petito’s mother as the administrator of her daughter’s estate, providing a small semblance of justice amidst the ongoing legal battles.