Gabby Petito’s dad issues heartbreaking message on her 24th birthday as legal battle with Brian Laundrie’s parents rages
GABBY Petito's father has shared a heartbreaking message about his daughter's upcoming birthday as the family's legal battle with Brain Laundrie's parents rages.
The late vlogger's dad, Joseph Petito, posted a picture of a sunrise over the ocean on Saturday.
Gabby "would be turning 24 tomorrow and I’m watching the sunrise," the heartbroken father said.
"I ask that if you’re reading this, please share a #MissingPerson story and help a family the same way you all helped us.
"Every share matters," Joseph said, followed by #TogetherWeCan.
Gabby was 22 when she was reported missing on September 11, 2021, while on a road trip with her fiancé Brian Laundrie, 23.
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Her remains were later found near Grand Teton National park in Wyoming on September 19, 2021, and it was discovered that she was strangled to death.
Gabby's parents, Joe and Nichole Schmidt, are suing Brian's parents for “intentional infliction of emotional distress,” after Brian confessed to murdering Gabby before dying of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
His remains were found near a notebook and backpack belonging to him in Florida's Carlton Reserve on October 20, 2021.
The lawsuit that Gabby's parents filed in March 2022 claims that Chris and Roberta Laundrie were aware their son had murdered his fiancée and chose not to act.
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On September 14, 2021, a lawyer representing the Laundries released the following statement: “On behalf of the Laundrie family it is our hope that the search for Miss Petito is successful and that Miss Petito is re-united with her family."
“On the advice of counsel the Laundrie family is remaining in the background at this juncture and will have no further comment."
Before Gabby's remains were discovered on September 19, 2021, the Petitos' lawyer read a letter at a news briefing three days prior, begging for help in the case.
“Please, if you or your family have any decency left, please, tell us where Gabby is located,” Richard Stafford said on September 16, 2021.
“Tell us if we are even looking in the right place. All we want is for Gabby to come home. Please help us make that happen.”
The emotional distress case was originally scheduled to go to trial in August 2023.
However, on Wednesday, the trial judge gave a start date of May 13, 2024, WLFA reports.
It is scheduled to go until May 24, 2024.
There will reportedly be several pre-trial hearings until then, including one regarding the Laundries’ motion to dismiss.
If the trial moves forward as scheduled, Roberta Laundrie could face additional questioning regarding the now-infamous letter she sent to her son.
'BURN AFTER READING' LETTER
The letter was found in the Laundrie family home after it was taken out of their son’s van.
Patrick Reilly, the attorney for Gabby’s parents, previously revealed that the letter included messages about helping Laundrie “get out of prison, getting a shovel, and some other things.”
The words “burn after reading” were reportedly written on the envelope.
It is undated, though both legal teams dispute when it was written.
The Petito family’s legal team has previously claimed it was “written after Gabby was killed and before Brian took his life.”
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While Laundrie attorney Matt Luka insisted that “that the letter was written before Brian and Gabby even took their trip," WFLA reports.
Luka also claimed that the letter “has no relevance to the cause of action” behind the Petitos' civil suit.