Brian Laundrie’s Parents Absent From First Civil Lawsuit

The legal battle between the parents of Brian Laundrie and Gabby Petito continues. On June 22, Christopher and Roberta Laundrie did not attend the first court hearing of the civil suit brought against them by the Petito family, per People. The couple was not legally required to attend the hearing—which will determine if the case goes to trial—however Gabby’s parents Joseph Petito and Nichole Schmidt were in attendance.

During the hearing, judge Hunter Carroll heard arguments from both attorneys and later shared that he expects to make a decision within the next two weeks, CNN reports. Back in March, the Petito family filed a lawsuit against the Laundries for allegedly helping their son attempt to cover-up Gabby’s death. In their complaint, Gabby’s parents allege that Christopher and Roberta were keeping the whereabouts of Brian Laundrie secret and making arrangements for him to leave the country after he went missing in September during the search for the then-missing Gabby. They are seeking compensation for the damages they have suffered alongside additional relief, according to the docs. In response, the Laundrie’s lawyer Steven Bertolino told E! News that the family had no obligation to speak to Law Enforcement.

Gabby’s mom Nichole filed a separate wrongful death lawsuit against the curator of Brian Laundrie’s estate in May. The complaint asked for a trial by jury and compensatory damages of at least $30,000 after the family incurred funeral and burial expenses, experienced a loss of care and comfort and suffered a loss of probable future companionship, society and comfort after their daughter’s death in 2021.

Bertolino previously told E! News that the wrongful death lawsuit was fully expected. He continued, This lawsuit will most likely not be defended and the Petitos will have gained nothing more than a piece of paper that tells them what everyone already knows—which is that Brian was responsible for Gabby’s death as indicated by the FBI. In September 2021, Gabby, an aspiring YouTuber, made national headlines when she was declared missing after embarking on a cross-country road trip with her fiancé Brian. The 22-year-old’s remains were discovered later that month at a camping ground in Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming.

Brian, who had returned home to Florida without Gabby, later disappeared during the investigation and was found dead at the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in North Port, Fla. He claimed responsibility for Gabby’s death in a notebook which was found near his remains.

Gabby Petito’s Mom Files $30K Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Brian Laundrie’s Estate. Two months after Gabby Petito’s parents filed a lawsuit against the parents of her alleged killer Brian Laundrie, the mother of the murdered 22-year-old is seeking $30,000 in wrongful death damages. On May 6, Nichole Schmidt filed a new wrongful death lawsuit in Florida against the curator of the estate of deceased Brian Laundrie. The lawsuit, obtained by Fox News, seeks damages of at least $30,000. The complaint, obtained by E! News, alleges that Laundrie murdered Petito, and as a direct result, Schmidt and Gabby’s father, Joseph Petito, incurred funeral and burial expenses, and they have suffered a loss of care and comfort, and suffered a loss of probable future companionship, society and comfort.

The filing also requests a trial by jury and judgment for compensatory damages. Laundrie’s attorney Steven Bertolino told E! News that the lawsuit does not come as a surprise. The filing of the wrongful death lawsuit by the Petito family was fully expected, Bertolino said in a statement E! News on May 6. This lawsuit will most likely not be defended and the Petitos will have gained nothing more than a piece of paper that tells them what everyone already knows—which is that Brian was responsible for Gabby’s death as indicated by the FBI.

Petito’s case garnered national attention in September 2021 when the aspiring YouTuber was declared missing while on a cross-country road trip with Laundrie, her fiancé, who had mysteriously returned home to Florida solo, in her van. On September 19, the 22-year-old’s remains were discovered at a camping area in Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming. Her cause of death was ruled a homicide due to blunt-force injuries to the head and neck, with manual strangulation. At the time, Laundrie and his parents, Chris and Roberta Laundrie, did not share any information with law enforcement and referred officials to their attorney. Laundrie later disappeared during the investigation. After a month-long search, the 23-year-old was found dead in Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in North Port, Fla., where his parents believe he went the last time they saw him on Sept. 13. Personal items belonging to Laundrie were discovered near his remains including a notebook in which claimed responsibility for Petito’s death.

The new lawsuit comes two months after Petito’s parents filed a civil lawsuit in Florida claiming that Laundrie’s parents were aware that their son killed their daughter and attempted to help him flee justice. The Petito family is seeking compensation for the damages they have suffered as well as additional relief.