Parents of Gabby Petito, the 22-year-old travel blogger from North Port Florida was tragically killed by her fiance Brian Laundrie during a cross-country “van life” journey, have reached a settlement in a civil lawsuit against Laundrie’s parents and their attorney, Steve Bertolino.
After a day of mediation, Christopher and Roberta Laundrie, along with Bertolino, agreed to resolve the lawsuit filed by Joseph Petito and Nichole Schmit, Gabby’s parents, accusing them of emotional distress by providing misleading information about Gabby’s whereabouts before her remains were found in Wyoming.
Details of the settlement remain confidential, but both parties confirmed the resolution following exhaustive negotiations. The lawsuit, which has lingered for over a year, comes to an end, marking a pivotal moment in the emotionally charged case.
Prior to this settlement, Gabby’s parents rejected a previous offer but expressed openness to a resolution under different terms. The deposition process revealed tensions, with Joseph Petito expressing frustration towards the legal proceedings.
The lawsuit alleged that Laundrie’s parents were aware of Gabby’s murder and aided their son in evading justice. Despite efforts to force Bertolino to testify about his conversations with Brian Laundrie, the court opted against it.
Had negotiations failed, the trial was set to commence in May. The families previously settled a wrongful death lawsuit for $3 million, with the funds aiding the Gabby Petito Foundation dedicated to combating domestic violence.