Gabby Petito’s dad marks two years since ‘only daughter was taken’ in heartbreaking post on anniversary of her murder
GABBY Petito's dad has posted a heartbreaking tribute to his only daughter to mark the tragic second anniversary of her murder.
Petito, 22, was on a cross-country road trip with her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, when her parents reported her missing in August 2021.
The van-life vlogger went missing after she told her family that they were traveling from Utah to Wyoming.
Petito's body was recovered in Wyoming in September after weeks of extensive searching and an autopsy determined that Petito was strangled to death.
Police began investigating Laundrie as a person of interest after he abruptly returned home to Florida without Gabby.
On September 17, Laundrie's parents reported him missing and almost a month later police found his skeletal remains in the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park on October 20, 2021.
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It was revealed that he ended his life and cops were able to recover a letter near his remains that included a confession to Gabby's murder.
Amid ongoing legal battles with The Moab City Police Department and Laundrie's parents, Joseph Petito posted a tribute to his daughter.
The post featured a picture of his late daughter posing in front of a waterfall in a post on Instagram.
The caption read: "Tonight will make two years my only daughter Gabby Petito was taken.
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"If her story touched you, I ask you to share a #MissingPerson flyer.
"Help get someone home safe to their loved ones that are missing them."
In the comments, followers paid tribute to Petito and her heartbroken family.
"I'm still so sorry for your loss. No parent should have to go through this tragedy," one said.
Another added: "Two years, seems like yesterday, hoping and praying she would return. Beautiful girl."
Meanwhile, on X, formerly known as Twitter, Petito's mother Nichole Schmidt said: "Today marks two years since our beautiful Gabby was murdered.
"Please shine a light in the darkness for all those who have been taken by the ones they loved, and for survivors of domestic violence!"
Petito's parents, filed their wrongful death case against the Moab City Police Department last November.
The complaint accuses officers of a series of failures after a 911 claiming Petito and her boyfriend Brian Laundrie, on August 12, 2021, were involved in a domestic dispute.
Despite an eyewitness claiming they saw Laundrie "slapping his girlfriend," Petito admitted to hitting him when interviewed and cops deemed her the "primary aggressor."
Officers chose not to arrest her and instead separated the couple for the night.
Just days later Laundrie killed Petito after they reunited to continue their trip.
The complaint states that the police department and its officers, "deprived Gabby of her safety and ultimately her life."
Lawyers for the police officers have slammed the lawsuit seeking $50million as a "publicity stunt."
Top business litigation attorney Mitchell A. Stephens from Salt Lake City has been hired by the defendants of the suit.
Stephens spoke exclusively to The U.S. Sun saying: "I can confirm that Moab City and its police officers intend to vigorously defend the lawsuit.
"The Moab City Police Department did not cause Brian Laundrie to murder Gabrielle Petito.
When called, Moab's officers responded with kindness and respect.
"They also separated Ms. Petito and Mr. Laundrie for the night. The next morning, Ms. Petito and Mr. Laundrie chose to continue their ongoing road trip, traveling hundreds of miles together over the following weeks."
He added: "The plaintiffs' $50million demand appears to be a publicity stunt.
"Even if the plaintiffs believe that Moab City is liable, it strains credibility to suggest the City is 15-20 times more responsible for Ms. Petito’s death than Brian Laundrie, her murderer."
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It is thought that the case will continue for a number of months with the police department and police officers still to formally respond.
