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New information has emerged in the case of Gabby Petito's family civil lawsuit. The woman was murdered by her boyfriend in 2021. The tragic death was allegedly hidden and covered up by her killer's family. This led her family to sue in civil court.

The depositions reveal that Laundrie informed his parents that Petito was "gone" and urgently needed a lawyer weeks before her remains were discovered. 

Petito's parents — Joseph Petito and Nichole Schmidt — allege that Laundrie's parents and their attorney knew Petito was dead but lied to them and the public by issuing messages of hope that she'd be found.

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Gabby Petito’s Family Civil Case

The depositions confirm that the Laundries knew Petito was dead almost 2 weeks before a search was started for her. And over a month before her remains were found. This significantly impacts the dynamics of the case.

Joseph Petito and Nichole Schmidt, the grieving parents, filed a lawsuit against Laundrie's parents and their attorney, accusing them of intentionally withholding vital information about their daughter's death. The “withholding” has caused profound pain and emotional distress to the Petito family.

The legal saga took a significant turn in November 2022 when a Florida judge awarded $3 million to Petito's estate in a wrongful death lawsuit against Laundrie's estate. This marked a pivotal moment in seeking justice for Gabby Petito's untimely demise.

New Information

The amended civil complaint, filed on November 30 by Petito's legal team, details the pivotal phone call on August 29, 2021. In the call Laundrie informed his parents about Petito's disappearance.

The Laundrie family knew before Brian returned home that Gabby was dead.

Despite this knowledge, the Petito family released a statement on September 14 expressing hope for Gabby's safe return. Attorneys are claiming this was one of the deliberate attempts by the Laundrie family to conceal the truth.

Patrick Reilly, the Petito family lawyer, emphasized the significance of this information, stating in a News Nation interview, "The statement is the focus point of this case... the import is that it supports our allegation that at the time they made the statement hoping Gabby Petito would be reunited with her family, at that time they knew she was deceased."

Expressing openness to a settlement, Mr. Reilly stated, "We would consider a settlement but it would have to be under the right terms, and no one has proposed the right terms for the family at this time, but a settlement is always a possibility."

Case Background

In 2021, Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie were traveling together in Petito's van on a "van-life" vacation. Brian Laundrie returned to Florida without Petito. Despite worried appeals from her parents and the police the Laundrie family refused to talk.

Laundrie disappeared and Petito's remains were found in Wyoming. Weeks later Laundrie's remains were discovered with a disturbing confession in a nearby notebook. The developments surrounding this tragic case continue to captivate public attention as legal proceedings unfold, with a potential trial slated for 2024.