According to the lawsuit filed in Sarasota County Circuit Court Thursday, Laundrie claimed that he told his parents that he had murdered Petito (22-year-old fiancee) on Aug. 28, 2008.
Petito’s disappearance and subsequent search for her body September 19th in Wyoming became a national obsession. This was further heightened by the later search to find Laundrie in a Florida natural preserve.
According to the FBI, Laundrie had strangled Petito after a series of domestic disputes with him. Laundrie then shot himself in Carlton Reserve swamp.
According to the lawsuit, Roberta and Christopher Laundrie hid the fact that their son confessed the murder to investigators and Petito’s parents, while searching for Gabby Petito continued.
“In doing so Christopher Laundrie, Roberta Laundrie acted in malice or great disregard for the rights of (Gabby’s parents) Joseph Petito, and Nicole Schmidt,” the lawsuit states. It also claims that the conduct was “shockingly atrocious and utterly intolerable within a civilized society.”
According to the lawsuit, the Laundries made arrangements for Brian (the plaintiff) to leave the country. This claim was not supported by any evidence.
The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $30,000. Steven Bertolino (an attorney representing the Laundries) said that his clients had every right to not talk in a text message. He also denied all claims made in the lawsuit.
Bertolino stated that “this lawsuit does not change” the fact that Laundries were not required to talk to law enforcement, or third parties including the Petitos. “This fundamental legal principle renders Petitos’ claims unfounded under the law.”
Both Petito and Laundrie hail from Blue Point, New York. They moved to North Port, Florida in 2019 to be closer to their parents. Petito and Laundrie were both from Blue Point, New York. They moved to North Port, Florida in 2019 after moving to their Gulf Coast home.
According to the lawsuit, the family had a cordial relationship up until her disappearance and that of her trip.
The lawsuit claims that Gabrielle Petito had aspirations to become a travel influencer and a “van-lifer” and to document her cross-country travels on social media.
Petito was in constant contact with her parents. She posted often on social media about her travels including YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Before the murder mystery, Petito had a loyal following.
According to the FBI, Laundrie used Petito’s cell phone to send text messages to her parents and other family members in an attempt to pretend that she is still alive. Before his remains were found in the Florida nature preserve, he was also charged with illegally using a credit card.
