Gabby Petito's Parents Want Brian Laundrie's Parents to Testify in Court as Lawsuit Against the Murderer's Parents Moves Forward
Gabby Petito's parents have filed their initial witness list for their civil lawsuit against Brian Laundrie's parents, who could be summoned to appear in court.
According to WFLA, the list includes the elder Laundries, law enforcement, and others connected to the case. The outlet reported that the initial witness list was "routine, procedural, and far from a definitive list of names that would testify should the lawsuit reach a jury trial."
According to The Sun, the list of witnesses includes Petito's parents, Joseph Petito and Nichole Schmidt; Petito's stepparents, Tara Petito and James Schmidt; and Laundrie's parents, Chris and Roberta Laundrie.
Representatives from both the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the North Port Police Department were also on the list, but no specific names were mentioned.
"It's a wish list... I'm sure [Petito and Schmidt attorney Pat Reilly] put every party on that list that [he] believes he needs testimony from to prove his case," Steven Bertolino, the attorney representing Brian Laundrie's parents, told the outlet.
Gabby Petito's Parents Filed Civil Lawsuit Against Brian Laundrie's Parents
Gabby Petito's parents filed the civil lawsuit against Brian Laundrie's parents in Florida on March 10 . The lawsuit claimed that the elder Laundries were aware of their son killing Petito and sought to help him flee the country.
The lawsuit further noted that Chris and Roberta knew of the mental suffering and anguish that the Petito family was experiencing but still refused to respond to them.
The Petito family is seeking damages of at least $100,000 for the "pain and mental anguish" they experienced as a result of the "willfulness and maliciousness" of Laundrie's parents.
The elder Laundries filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit on March 30, arguing that they had fundamental constitutional rights to silence. They added that there are also no facts to support their claims of "intentional infliction of emotional distress."
Petito's mother, Nichole Schmidt, has also filed a wrongful death lawsuit earlier this month against the curator of Laundrie's estate. The lawsuit seeks wrongful death damages of $30,000 as it claimed that Laundrie intentionally killed Petito.
As a direct result of Laundrie's conduct, the lawsuit noted that Petito's mom and dad, Joseph Petito, "incurred funeral and burial expenses, and they have suffered a loss of care and comfort, and suffered a loss of probable future companionship, society and comfort."
The complaint was filed against Barry Spivey, who was identified in the suit as the court-appointed curator of Brian Laundrie's estate. In this lawsuit, Gabby Petito's mom also demanded a trial by jury and judgment for compensatory damages.
Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie's Death
Last January, the FBI revealed that Brian Laundrie confessed to killing Gabby Petito in a message left in his notebook. In its final report on the case, the FBI said a review of the notebook revealed written statements by Laundrie claiming responsibility for Petito's death.
The FBI noted that its investigation has concluded that Laundrie was the only person responsible for Petito's "tragic death." Apart from the notebook, the FBI confirmed that they also found a "backpack" and a "revolver" upon further search of the area where Laundrie's remains were found.
Gabby Petito's body was found at the Spread Creek Dispersed Campground near Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming on September 19. A Teton County, Wyoming coroner said she was strangled to death by a "human being," and the manner of death was homicide.
Meanwhile, Brian Laundrie's skeletal remains were discovered at the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in Florida on October 20. His autopsy report showed that he died of a gunshot wound to the head, and the manner of death was suicide.
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Written by: Joshua Summers
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