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Gabby Petito cop is ‘going the extra mile’ in new job as $50m wrongful death suit rumbles on 3 years after traffic stop
New details on Eric Pratt's role in Moab giving $499-a-day tours
THE police officer who pulled over Gabby Petito days before she was murdered is going 'above and beyond' in his new job as a luxury tour guide in Utah.
Eric Pratt, who worked for the Moab Police Department, was accused of "bungling" the traffic stop which resulted in her family filing a $50 million wrongful death suit.
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Three years after the cops dealt with the domestic incident on August 12, 2021, the case against Moab PD is still ongoing.
Pratt and his colleagues have now been removed as individual defendants, as they couldn't afford to pay a $200,000 bond that was required by the state.
However, they are still mentioned in the second amended complaint filed in March.
It seems Pratt is keen to try and move on from the case, and is now working as an "authorized representative" for Moab Luxury Tours, LLC, according to business docs.
Gabby Petito
They offer guided tours of the national parks in a luxury SUV limousine - including a $499 four-hour morning or afternoon tour of Arches or Canyonlands.
A new review listed on Trip Advisor for this month reads, "Eric picked us up after our trip on the Rocky Mountaineer. He loaded up our sizeable amount of luggage ( we are on the road for a few weeks) and took us to our hotel in a super clean customized SUV.
"We had a great chat about the area and really enjoyed the drive. Later when trying to get to dinner (Moab is a bit challenging without a car rental) he came down on off hours and got us to our restaurant and helped us with outbound flight arrangements."
They added, "Eric really went the extra Mike (mile) for us and we very much appreciated his Moab hospitality!"
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POLICE ROLE REMOVED
According to its website, the company's mission is to provide "unforgettable and enriching experiences for individuals seeking to explore the mesmerizing beauty of the local national parks, including Arches, Canyonlands, and more."
The bio adds, "Guided by our team of passionate and knowledgable experts, we aim to elevate the traditional tour experience by offering exclusive access to hidden gems, awe-inspiring viewpoints, and lesser-known trails.
Gabby Petito's mom said she warned daughter about getting married to Brian Laundrie too young before murder-suicide
"With utmost attention to detail, we curate exceptional services, ensuring every aspect of our guests' journey is seamlessly orchestrated, from transportation and accommodations to dining and activities."
Pratt removed Moab PD from his LinkedIn in 2023, after The U.S. Sun revealed he had been promoted to detective, despite the ongoing lawsuit.
Now, his profile reads, "Law Enforcement Officer - Law Enforcement Agency/Government".
It is unknown if he is now working for another department, but many offers in Utah have side jobs as police work not well paid.
The U.S. Sun reached out to Pratt, Moab Luxury Tours, and the Moab Police Department for comment but did not hear back.
Pratt was one of the defendants in a wrongful death suit that was first filed in November 2022 by Petito's parents, Nichole Schmidt and Joseph Petito.
Brian C. Stewart, an attorney for the Petito family from Parker & McConkie in Salt Lake City, said officers "failed to properly investigate the reported domestic assault."
They responded to a 911 call allegedly Petito's partner, Brian Laundrie, was seen "slapping his girlfriend."
But when Petito admitted to also hitting him, police deemed her the "primary aggressor."
Officers who attended the stop told the couple to go their separate ways for the night but no arrests were made.
Petito's body was found in Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming a month after the traffic stop and autopsy results showed she died by "manual strangulation."
Laundrie reportedly admitted to murdering her before committing suicide in Florida after returning home.
Eric Pratt's involvement in the case
August 2021 - Traffic officer Eric Pratt and his colleagues responded to the 911 call involving Gabby Petito, 22, and her partner Brian Laundrie after he was reportedly seen slapping her in Moab, Utah.
Officers allegedly misclassified it as a mental health break after being confronted by an emotional Petito - who struggled with anxiety - and failed to document any injury she suffered.
September 2021 - Laundrie returned home to Florida from the trip and Gabby's parents reported her missing to Suffolk County police. Laundrie's family issued a statement saying he had retained an attorney and would not be cooperating with investigators.
Florida's North Port police revealed he was a person of interest in the case and he went missing after telling his family he was going on a hike.
Utah police release body camera footage of the traffic stop with Petito and Laundrie, showing Pratt and his colleagues.
Days later the young woman's body is discovered in Wyoming.
An internal investigation was launched by Moab PD regarding the traffic stop and Pratt was interviewed about his involvement.
October 2021 - Teton County Coroner Dr Brent Blue confirmed Gabby Petito died by strangulation.
Laundrie's remains were later found at the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park after he shot himself, leaving behind a suicide note in which he confessed to killing Petito.
January 2022 - It was revealed Moab Police made several mistakes while interacting with Petito and Laundrie, according to the independent investigation.
An investigator with the Price City Police Department found officers failed to cite Petito for assault.
In emails to Moab Police Chief Bret Edge, Pratt said that he was horrified and overcome with emotion after Petito's death but there was nothing he could have done to prevent her death.
Capt. Brandon Ratcliffe, the third-party officer who conducted the investigation, wrote in the 99-page report, "The officers protected the victim by separating Brian from Gabby; however, I do not find that they enforced the law.
"They responded to a confirmed domestic violence incident and they had evidence showing an assault had taken place."
Moab PD failed to respond to requests asking if Pratt and his colleague Daniel Robbins had been placed on probation, which was suggested in the report.
November 2022 - Petito's family filed their $50 million wrongful death lawsuit naming Moab PD and the officers involved in the traffic stop.
January/February 2023 - Pratt removed Moab PD from his LinkedIn but stated he was still a law enforcement officer.
Asked directly if he has left Moab PD, Lisa Church, Moab City Communications and Engagement Manager, simply said, "The City of Moab does not comment on matters related to active litigation."
March 2023 - Moab PD and its officers lawyered up but denied they were responsible for Petito's death, while her family filed an amended complaint in the case.
March 2024 - The family filed a second amended complaint but removed the individual officers involved as they could not pay the $200,000 bond required.
July 2024 - Moab PD is looking to have the case dismissed but it currently continues.
The U.S. Sun previously revealed the Moab Police Department filed a motion to dismiss the case earlier this year.
Court documents read, "Petito's murder is an undeniable sorrow. Laundrie's crime was undisputedly depraved. But the judicial system is not a substitute for a GoFundMe campaign; heartbreak is not enough."
Joseph Petito later slammed the department in a statement saying he was angry about their attitude.
He said, "Honestly, Moab's response and attitude is infuriating.
"The official investigative report concludes the officers made serious mistakes.
"The Moab officers themselves googled the law, acknowledged they had no discretion, and that failing to follow the statute could cause victims to get killed. It’s all on video.
"Then they just chose to not obey the statute, and that’s exactly what happened.
"Gabby was killed. Their inability to take responsibility for their failures is inexcusable. That is why we have to pursue this case."
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An independent investigation suggested Pratt and his colleague Daniel Robbins be placed on probation, but the department has always refused to confirm if they ever were.
Petito's mom Nichole previously said, "We will never stop seeking justice for Gabby and working for the protection of other victims of domestic violence."
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