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Disclaimer: This article contains mentions of murder. Reader discretion is advised.
In July 2021, Gabby Petito and her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, embarked on a four-month cross-country trip, visiting several national parks. Reports indicate that they would document their entire journey on Instagram and YouTube. However, the situation became suspicious when Gabby Petito’s parents—Joseph Petito and Nicole Schmidt—discovered that Laundrie had returned, but their daughter was nowhere to be found. In September, Petito’s parents filed a missing person’s report, after which police started an extensive search operation. Almost ten days later, authorities discovered Petito’s remains and named Laundrie a person of interest.
After her disappearance, Gabby Petito’s parents told several media outlets about what happened before the vanishing. While talking to WSFB-TV, an affiliate of CBS News, Nicole Schmidt revealed that they would have video calls with her during the week. However, she also clarified that their last video happened on August 23 or 24. Additionally, Schmidt mentioned that her last communication with her daughter happened on August 30 through a text message. However, the news of Petito’s death soon wrecked the Petito household.
While appearing on Dr. Phil, Gabby Petito’s father, Joe Schmidt, mentioned how he wanted the police to find Brian Laundrie alive. Citing his statement, CNN noted, “I just hope he’s found. I really do… I mean, like, alive.” However, authorities couldn’t find Brian Laundrie alive. In October 2021, police discovered Laundrie’s remains at a reserve in Florida. CBS News reported that the investigators found a notebook in which Laundrie confessed to killing Gabby Petito.
Who are Gabby Petito’s parents Joseph Petito & Nicole Schmidt?
In March 2022, Gabby Petito’s parents, Joseph Petito and Nicole Schmidt, filed a lawsuit against Brian Laundrie’s parents, alleging that they knew about the crime. Per CBS News, the lawsuit stated Laundrie’s parents didn’t tell anyone about Petito’s death and concealed that their son killed his girlfriend. Laundrie’s parents filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit against them and called it “baseless”. However, a Florida judge dismissed their motion and told the court to move ahead with the lawsuit.
Almost two years later, Joseph Petito and Nicole Schmidt settled the lawsuit. Moreover, they stated that they wouldn’t be going for a civil trial. Per ABC News, they didn’t want the conflict to move forward and avoid further expenses.
The statement read, “After a long day of mediation, a confidential resolution has been reached between the parents of Gabby Petito, the parents of Brian Laundrie, and Attorney Steven Bertolino to which all parties reluctantly agreed in order to avoid further legal expenses and prolonged personal conflict.” The statement also mentioned they wanted to close this chapter and “honor” their daughter’s legacy.
Lifetime released a movie titled The Gabby Petito Story, based on Gabby Petito’s death in 2022. The film is available for streaming on Lifetime and stars Skyler Samuels and Evan Hall in pivotal roles.
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