Joseph Petito and Nichole Schmidt, the parents of Gabby Petito, have filed a civil lawsuit in Sarasota, FL, against the parents of Brian Laundrie. According to the lawsuit, Petito and Schmidt are seeking damages in excess of $30k exclusive of prejudgement interest, costs, and attorney fees.
The lawsuit alleges Laundrie told his parents about Gabby's murder shortly after it occurred. It also claims the family knew their son killed Petito when they issued the following statement: "It is our understanding that a search has been organized for Miss Petito in or near Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. On behalf of the Laundrie family, it is our hope that the search for Miss Petitio is successful and that Miss Petito is reunited with her family."
In the filing, Petitio and Schmidt state Laundrie advised his parents on or about August 28, 2021, that he had murdered Gabby Petito. Brian Laundrie returned to his parents' home in Petito's van days later.
The lawsuit also claims that "as a direct and proximate result of the willfulness and maliciousness of Christopher Laundrie and Roberta Laundrie, Joseph Petito and Nichole Schmidt had been caused to suffer pain and suffering, mental anguish, inconvenience, loss of capacity for enjoyment of life experienced in the past and to be experienced in the future."
Click Here to read the entire filing.