Gabby Petito Family Filed Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Utah Police for $50 Million

Family of Gabby Petito has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Utah police after they failed to recognize that Petito was in a life-threatening situation when she had a fight with her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie.

The Petito family is suing Utah police for $50 million. The officers allowed Petito and Laundrie to leave ordering them to spend a night apart, according to a Daily Mail report. Petito was shown to be visibly upset after the police body camera recorded the police's encounter with the couple.

Attorney James McConkie said in a statement that if the officer has been properly trained and followed the law, Petito would be allowed today.

Notices of claims are necessary before people can sue government bodies. Petito's family claim said that the lawsuit will seek $50 million in damages.

Meanwhile, Moab officials have yet to comment on the announcement of the lawsuit.

The lawsuit was filed by Utah personal inquiry law firm Parker and McConkey. It was on behalf of Joseph and Tara Petito, including Nichole and Jim Schmidt.

Gabby Petito Murdered

Petito's family's lawsuit accuses the police department, three Utah police officers, and 10 other unnamed individuals of "negligent failure" during an investigation.

The lawsuit also noted that Petito's death was caused by the police department's "wrongful acts or neglect," according to an Independent report.

Petito's remains were found near the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming on September 19 last year.

Officials searched after a month-long nationwide search for her.

Investigators determined she had been strangled by her boyfriend, Laundrie, who later admitted killing her in a confession note he left before taking his own life in a Florida swamp.

Utah police pulled over the couple after receiving a 911 call from a witness saying they had seen Laundrie hitting Petito.

Laundrie was released at the time without charge and the couple was separated for one night before being allowed to continue on their cross-country trip.

A separate investigation into police failures regarding the case also discovered that Petito was very likely a "long-term victim of domestic violence."

Brian Laundrie as The Suspect

The Laundrie family attorney, Steve Bertolino, wished the Petito family's "best of luck" with regards to their wrongful death lawsuit against the Utah police.

Fox News noted that Bertolino does not believe that the officers involved did anything wrong.

Bertolino said that he was speaking on his own behalf and not for Chris or Roberta Laundrie.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation in Denver said in a statement that Laundrie had already admitted to killing Petito.

FBI Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider said that the investigation did not identify any other individuals other than Laundrie directly involved in the death of Petito, according to Rolling Stone.

Laundrie had taken his own life with a gunshot to the head. He was discovered in November in a nature preserve near his parents' Florida home.

His remains were found with a notebook and other belongings.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Full press conference: Gabby Petito's family announces $50M wrongful death lawsuit against Moab, Utah - from FOX 13 Tampa Bay