Gabby Petito’s tragic death never had to happen. Yes, Brian Laundrie killed her through domestic violence. But he wasn’t the only one
The Petito family’s lawsuit against Moab police has indicated that Gabby’s injuries were in the last week of her life.
The failures – and worse – did not stop after Gabby’s death. And it’s not just the police who don’t prioritize justice.
According to the Petito family’s legal team, Brian Laundrie’s mother wrote a letter “burned after reading” that offered advice on how to get away with murder.
One of the attorneys representing Gabby Petito’s parents accused Brian Laundrie’s mother of trying to help and support her son after Gabby’s murder.
Specifically, he advised them to get a shovel, bury the body, and burn the note.
This week, during a court hearing, attorney Patrick Reilly told the court about the alleged letter that investigators recovered from Laundrie’s backpack.
Remember, Laundrie killed herself while hiding. His stuff generated a lot of responses.
The letter, the attorney alleged, discussed Roberta Laundrie’s idea of eventually “helping him get out of prison” if he was behind bars.
Vaguely, he added that the letter indicated “a few other things.”
Not only that.
In addition, the lawyer told the court that the envelope containing the letter contained a message.
“Burn after reading,” the envelope read. Clearly, Laundrie did not follow her mother’s wishes.
Since the shocking story of Gabby Petito’s disappearance first broke and went viral, the must-see saga has had all eyes on the Laundries.
Many people concluded that the most likely suspect was her boyfriend. They have been traveling together and living out of a van.
And someone saw Laundrie physically abuse him just weeks before killing him.
The letter is real. Even the Laundrie family’s own attorney confirmed it.
However, Tim Laundrie tried to argue that the letter was irrelevant – saying it “pre-dates Brian and Gabby’s trip.”
P. Matthew Luka explained, alleging that despite the phrasing – about burying the body and burning the letter – it was all just an unfortunate coincidence.
“I understand that some of the words used in the letter are unpleasant and may suggest that there was a relationship, but it was not,” the lawyer said.
Meanwhile, Tim Petito notes that the letter has no date.
One has to wonder how many letters Laundrie had with him when he went into hiding. Does one take the old, deliberately incriminating letters when they are in chaos?
Later this summer, in August, this lawsuit will be in earnest.
The Petito family is not suing the Laundries for Brian’s murder. However, he claimed emotional distress during the investigation.
Simply put, you are under no legal obligation to tell someone your daughter has died in most cases. But if you make a public statement suggesting that he’s alive, when you know he’s not…that’s different. The court will determine whether this cruel act occurred.