Share this @internewscast.com

The parents of murdered van life blogger Gabby Petito are suing the parents of their daughter’s late fiancé, Brian Laundrie, for allegedly knowing their son had killed her but kept quiet.

The pair filed their civil suit on Thursday in a Sarasota County, Florida, circuit court and are seeking financial damages.

Petito, 22, was found dead from strangulation at a national park in September. While Laundrie had initially fled to his parents’ Florida home ― driving Petito’s van ― his parents later revealed that he had gone to a nearby marsh, where authorities found his remains in October. He died by suicide. The FBI said Laundrie had taken responsibility for Petito’s death, citing statements he’d made in a notebook.

Petito’s parents, Nichole Schmidt and Joseph Petito, say Laundrie killed their daughter on Aug. 27, and then sent a text from her phone to her mother. The text was suspicious because it referred to Petito’s grandfather as “Stan,” and she never called him by his first name.

“It is believed, and therefore averred, that on or about Aug. 28, Brian Laundrie advised his parents, Christopher Laundrie and Roberta Laundrie, that he had murdered Gabrielle Petito,” the lawsuit states. “On the same date, Christopher Laundrie and Roberta Laundrie spoke with Attorney Steve Bertolino, and sent him a retainer on Sept. 2, 2021.”

The Laundries drew criticism for almost immediately hiring an attorney after the strange details of Petito’s case had started attracting national attention but she was still believed to be missing.

Petito’s parents claim the Laundries were planning to help their son flee the country.

Bertolino issued a blanket denial of the lawsuit’s claims in a statement to TMZ, and said that he had told his clients not to publicly comment on the situation, “which is their right under law.”

“Assuming everything the Petitos allege in their lawsuit is true, which we deny, this lawsuit does not change the fact that the Laundries had no obligation to speak to Law Enforcement or any third-party including the Petito family. This fundamental legal principle renders the Petito’s claims to be baseless under the law,” Bertolino’s statement read.

The young couple set off from New York state on a monthslong road trip through the American West on July 2, the same day they became engaged. Brian Laundrie returned home alone on Sept. 1.

The lawsuit alleges that Brian Laundrie had sent another text to Petito’s mom on Aug. 30 pretending to be Petito and saying there was no service where they were.

The Laundries did not reach out to Petito’s parents when their son arrived without Petito, according to the lawsuit. Roberta Laundrie allegedly blocked Nicole Schmidt’s phone number and blocked her on Facebook, the suit alleges, and then released a public statement through the couple’s lawyer expressing hope that Petito would be found safe.

Petito’s parents have said in media interviews that the Laundries never responded to their repeated cries for help in locating their daughter. On Sept. 16, they released a statement addressed to the Laundries specifically, pleading for any information they might have.

Following the FBI’s announcement that Brian Laundrie had confessed to the murder in writing, his parents released a statement lamenting both families’ losses.

“Gabby and Brian are no longer with their families and this tragedy has caused enormous emotional pain and suffering to all who loved either or both of them,” the Laundries said in a January statement. “We can only hope that with today’s closure of the case each family can begin to heal and move forward and find peace in and with the memories of their children.”

Source: huffpost

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Understanding the “Sovereign Citizen” Movement

It’s an uncentralised belief system but is generally characterised by an anti-authority…

Father Allegedly Talks About Concealing Children’s Bodies with Partner

Insets: Corena Minjarez, Jesus Dominguez Jr., Yesenia Dominguez, and Jesus Dominguez (Pueblo…

Police: Woman fatally hit pedestrian while commuting to work, then fled

Inset: Aliya Cruz (Polk County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office). Background: W. Highland St.…

Trump Administration Seeks to Dismiss Proud Boys Civil Lawsuit

Inset: FILE – Proud Boys chairman Enrique Tarrio rallies in Portland, Ore.,…

Suspected Police Killer Previously Referred to Officers as ‘Terrorist Thugs’

The self-declared “sovereign citizen” accused of killing two police officers in an…

Daughter Set to Testify Against Mother in Cliffside Murder Trial

Overview: Jessie Kelly approaches court in DeKalb County, Alabama. Inset images, from…

Woman Facing Legal Issues Again After Allegedly Stabbing Neighbor

Background: The Waco, Texas, neighborhood where Emily LaVelle was arrested on Aug.…

California Doctor’s Widow Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Ex-Wife

The widow of a California doctor who was shot dead outside his…

Police Say Man Deliberately Hits Stranger with Car Due to Frustration with Mother

Inset: Quaze Lavarn Simmons (Hernando County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The area where…

Pair Hosts Children’s ‘Fight Club,’ Applauds as Kid is Put in Dangerous Headlock

Earlier this month, Missouri police arrested two people who allegedly filmed themselves…

Florida Woman Fled Fatal Accident Scene to Avoid Being Late for Work

A 24-year-old Florida woman was arrested last week for a fatal hit-and-run…

Sheriff: Dad Left 8-Year-Old in West Virginia Garage for a Week

Inset: Juan Jose Benitez-Chacon (West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation). Background:…