The parents of Gabby Petito are now suing the Utah State Police for $50 million, claiming the department failed to recognize that she was in danger.
A newly released photo, taken by Gabby shortly before she and Brian Laundrie were pulled over by Utah police, shows red marks and blood on her face.
A witness who saw Brian and Gabby fighting in a parking lot called 9-1-1 which led to Utah State Police catching up with them. After speaking separately with Brian and Gabby, they had Brian spend the night in a hotel while Gabby was in the van so they could cool off. The photo, which was found on Gabby's phone, shortly before their encounter with police.
Gabby's mother Nicole Schmidt released a statement, saying: “Our daughter, Gabby, died as a result of intimate partner violence that could have and should have been identified by law enforcement using the lethality assessment,” Schmidt said. “We believe that if the lethality assessment had been properly used in her situation, together with the recommended support and resources, Gabby would still be alive today.”
The Utah State Police say they could not predict the future and that they can not be held responsible for a crime that happened hundreds of miles away and days after they saw the couple.
Source: WFLA-TV