On the Site:

GABBY PETITO INVESTIGATION

Gabby Petito’s family awarded $3M in wrongful death lawsuit against Brian Laundrie’s estate

Nov 17, 2022, 10:43 AM | Updated: 11:38 am

FILE: Gabrielle Petito. (Instagram)...

FILE: Gabrielle Petito. (Instagram)

(Instagram)

(CNN) — A Sarasota County, Florida, judge ruled Thursday in favor of Gabby Petito’s family in a wrongful-death lawsuit against the estate of Brian Laundrie.

The final judgment awards $3 million to Petito’s mother, Nichole Schmidt, as the administrator of Petito’s estate.

“The Petito family lost their daughter, and they were also denied the opportunity to confront her killer,” Patrick Reilly, attorney for Petito’s parents said in a statement to CNN. “No amount of money is sufficient to compensate the Petito family for the loss of their daughter, Gabby, at the hands of Brian Laundrie. Brian did not have $3 million; it’s an arbitrary number. Whatever monies they do receive will help Gabby’s family in their endeavors with the Gabby Petito Foundation.”

The trial scheduled for December will not be held, according to Reilly. The curator of Laundrie’s estate did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment.

Gabby Petito’s legacy: $100K for domestic violence hotline

“Joseph Petito and Nichole Schmidt wish to turn their personal tragedy into a positive. It is their hope that Gabby’s foundation will bring these important issues into the forefront of the public eye to the benefit of all our communities,” Reilly said.

Gabby Petito, 22, was at the center of a nationwide search last year when she was reported missing after she embarked on a cross-country trip with Laundrie, her fiancé.

Petito’s remains were found in Teton County, Wyoming, in September, a little more than a week after her family reported her missing. She died by strangulation, the coroner ruled.

Laundrie returned to the couple’s home on September 1 by himself, left again roughly two weeks later and disappeared. Laundrie’s body was later found in the area of a Florida nature reserve near his home in Sarasota County and a medical examiner ruled he died by suicide.

Nearby, authorities found a notebook in which they said Laundrie claimed responsibility for Petito’s death.

Petito’s family also filed another lawsuit in May against Christopher and Roberta Laundrie, alleging they knew their son Brian murdered Petito, knew “the whereabouts of her body,” and were working to help him flee the country, CNN previously reported.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Gabby Petito’s family officially files lawsuit against Moab Police Department


The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

KSL 5 TV Live

Gabby Petito Investigation

NORTH PORT, FL - SEPTEMBER 16: Tara Petito (L) and Joe Petito react while the City of North Port Ch...

Lauren del Valle

Gabby Petito’s parents get ‘burn after reading’ letter from Brian Laundrie’s parents

Gabby Petito’s parents now have a copy of a letter Brian Laundrie’s mother wrote to her son, which included references to getting a shovel and burying a body.

6 months ago

A new bodycam footage reveals what Gabby Petito told police about a domestic dispute with fiancé B...

Pat Reavy

Gabby Petito’s family files amended lawsuit against Moab police

The family of Gabby Petito has filed an amended lawsuit against Moab police, alleging that the Lethality Assessment Protocol wasn't used because officers weren't being trained properly.

9 months ago

FILE - This police camera video provided by The Moab Police Department shows Gabrielle "Gabby" Peti...

Jean Casarez and Lauren del Valle

Gabby Petito’s family attorney claims that Brian Laundrie’s mom wrote a letter offering ‘to help bury the body’

An attorney representing the parents of Gabby Petito wants the letter he says Brian Laundrie's mom wrote him offering to bury a body, with inscription 'burn after reading.'

10 months ago

Gabby Petito...

Josh Ellis

New photo allegedly shows Gabby Petito’s injuries before interview with Moab PD

A newly released photograph appears to show injuries on Gabby Petito's face shortly before she met with officers from the Moab Police Department.

10 months ago

A new bodycam footage reveals what Gabby Petito told police about a domestic dispute with fiancé B...

Amanda Musa and Jamiel Lynch, CNN

Gabby Petito’s parents file motion to add Laundrie family attorney as defendant in an ongoing lawsuit

The parents of Gabby Petito have filed a motion to add Laundrie family attorney Steven Bertolino as a defendant in an ongoing civil lawsuit against Brian Laundrie's parents.

12 months ago

(Karah Brackin/KSL TV)...

Emily Ashcraft

Gabby Petito’s family officially files lawsuit against Moab Police Department

Gabby Petito's family filed a lawsuit against the Moab City Police Department on Thursday, seeking $50 million and claiming police negligence "led to Gabby's death."

1 year ago

Sponsored Articles

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Users display warnings about the use of artificial intelligence (AI), access to malicious software ...

Les Olson

How to Stay Safe from Cybersecurity Threats

Read our tips for reading for how to respond to rising cybersecurity threats in 2023 and beyond to keep yourself and your company safe.

Design mockup half in white and half in color of luxury house interior with open plan living room a...

Lighting Design

Lighting Design 101: Learn the Basics

These lighting design basics will help you when designing your home, so you can meet both practical and aesthetic needs.

an antler with large horns int he wilderness...

Three Bear Lodge

Yellowstone in the Fall: A Wildlife Spectacle Worth Witnessing

While most people travel to this park in the summer, late fall in Yellowstone provides a wealth of highlights to make a memorable experience.

a diverse group of students raising their hands in a classroom...

Little Orchard Preschool

6 Benefits of Preschool for Kids

Some of the benefits of preschool for kids include developing independence, curiosity, and learning more about the world.

Gabby Petito’s family awarded $3M in wrongful death lawsuit against Brian Laundrie’s estate