If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.
BLUE POINT, N.Y. — Five years after Gabby Petito’s remains were discovered in Wyoming, her mother is urging people to take a second look at missing-person notices appearing on social media. Even one thoughtful share, she said, can set off a “ripple effect” that helps bring someone home.
“When it comes to missing-person cases, if a flyer appears in your feed, stop and read it,” Nichole Schmidt told News Outlet Friday. “Don’t just share it without looking.”
Gabby Petito’s mother, Nichole Schmidt, stands before a mural of her daughter in their hometown of Blue Point, New York, on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. The building was sold after the mural was completed, but its new owner preserved the artwork, framed it and added a light so it can be viewed at night. (Michael Ruiz/News Outlet)
Schmidt advised users to review the notice carefully, read the comments for possible updates and confirm that the information comes from a reliable source.
“If it appears legitimate, consider sharing it,” she said. “You never know who might see it because of your post. That share can create a ripple effect, and missing people have been found by ordinary people who passed along flyers.”
Petito’s remains were found Sept. 19, 2021, at a remote campground north of Jackson, Wyoming. Authorities believe she was killed about three weeks earlier by Brian Laundrie, her former fiancé.
Laundrie returned to his parents’ Florida home in Petito’s Ford Transit van and later died by suicide before heavy rains moved through Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park. His remains were discovered about a month later, following a nationwide search that resumed after floodwaters receded and his parents directed detectives to one of his favorite clearings in the preserve.
In the years since, Petito’s parents and stepparents have created a foundation in her name focused on combating domestic violence and drawing attention to other missing-person cases.
This undated portrait of Gabby Petito inspired a mural painted in her hometown of Blue Point, New York. (Family of Gabby Petito)
The family has also advocated for legislative changes in several states, including Florida, Utah and New York, as well as at the federal level.
At the same time, they continue working to spotlight families of missing people whose cases have not received the widespread attention that surrounded their daughter’s disappearance.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.
