Lawsuit Claims Brian Laundrie Informed His Parents about Gabby Petito's Disappearance and Requested Legal Representation

Three weeks before her remains were discovered, Brian Laundrie reportedly told his parents that Gabby Petito was "gone" in a frantic phone call, according to an amended civil complaint filed by Petito's parents on November 30. Joseph Petito and Nichole Schmidt are suing Laundrie's parents and their attorney, alleging that they intentionally withheld information about 22-year-old Gabby Petito's death, causing them pain and emotional distress.

Petito was reported missing by her family in September 2021 after she went on a trip with her fiancé, Laundrie. Her remains were found by authorities in Wyoming on September 19, and a coroner determined that she died from strangulation. After returning to his Florida home, Laundrie disappeared into a reserve for weeks before his remains were found by investigators, and a medical examiner concluded that he died by suicide. Authorities discovered writings near his remains in which he claimed responsibility for Petito's death.

For over a year, Petito's family has been engaged in a legal battle against Laundrie's parents, asserting that they were aware of their son's role in Petito's murder.

Pictures of Gabby Petito and her boyfriend/fiance Brian Laundrie before her disappearance

from gabspetito/Instagram

Gabby Petitos parents get copy of burn after reading letter that Brian Laundries mom wrote him

Petito's parents recently filed a complaint stating that Laundrie called his parents on August 29, 2021, and informed them that Gabby was "gone" and that he needed a lawyer. The complaint does not provide details on how Petito's parents gained knowledge of the alleged phone call.

Christopher and Roberta Laundrie are alleged to have informed their attorney, Steven Bertolino, of their son's message on the same day, as claimed in the complaint.

The Laundries sent Bertolino a retainer on September 2, 2021, and he subsequently entered into a fee agreement with a criminal defense law firm in Wyoming, as stated in the complaint.

The legal services were retained to represent Brian Laundrie, the complaint alleges.

CNN has reached out to attorneys for the Laundries and Bertolino for comment.

A medical examiner determined Brian Laundrie died by suicide.

The parents of Gabby Petito accused Christopher and Roberta Laundrie of knowing that their son had killed Gabby in the spring of 2022. They further alleged that the Laundries knew the location of her body while authorities were still searching for her.

Bertolino had expressed confidence to CNN that the Laundrie family believed the case would be dismissed at the time of the amended complaint. However, in November 2022, a Florida judge ruled in favor of Petito's family in a wrongful death suit against Brian Laundrie's estate, awarding $3 million to Petito's mother as the administrator of her daughter's estate.