Judge denies Brian Laundrie’s parents request to dismiss lawsuit

A circuit court judge denied Roberta and Christopher Laundrie’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed against them by Gabby Petito’s parents, Nichole Schmidt and Joseph Petito according to court documents.

The lawsuit alleges that Roberta and Christopher were aware that their son, Brian, had killed Gabby before driving home to his family’s home in Florida.

Laundrie and Petito had traveled across the country together in their van in July and August spending time in Utah and Wyoming National Parks.

Petito’s body was found on Sept. 19 near Grand Teton National Park, and her disappearance and the subsequent search for Laundrie attracted national attention.

The Wyoming Coroner determined Petito had been killed by strangulation in mid August, 3-4 weeks before her body was found.

Laundrie returned home alone, and was missing for a brief period before he was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His remains were found in a nature reserve near his family’s home in Florida. Near his remains, a notebook was found where he claimed responsibility for Petito’s death. 

The statement from the judge concludes, “Because the Laundrie’s statement by their attorney in the context of the unique facts of this case is objectively outrageous, the Court concludes that Plaintiffs have stated causes for action for intentional infliction of emotional distress against the Laundries. The court denies the Laundries’ motion to dismiss.”