By Matthew Hoffman
It was one of the most spectacular murder cases in recent history. In the summer of 2021, the American Gabby Petito († 22) initially disappeared without a trace. She had embarked on a trip across the States with her fiancé Brian Laundrie († 23).
HE returned alone while Gabby’s parents reported HER missing.
A little later, Laundrie – who was already a suspect at the time – went into hiding. The remains of the 23-year-old were found in October. He had shot himself in the head, investigators discovered the murder confession in a notebook.
Brian Laundrie on the bodycam video Photo: picture alliance / ZUMAPRESS.com
Now – around 14 months after the young woman’s body was found (cause of death: strangulation) – the parents have sued the Utah state police for $50 million. They accuse the officials of negligence.
“Gabby would be alive today,” says attorney James W. McConkie — if police had followed domestic violence statutes back then. The lawyer was referring to an incident in mid-August 2021 – made world famous by the bodycam video.
On it you can see: The completely distraught 22-year-old, who reports to the cops about a violent act. Officials let the travelers go on the condition that they spend the next night separately. Less than two weeks later, Gabby Petito was dead.
This bodycam footage near Wyoming’s Arches National Park shows Gabby Petito’s fiancé Brian Laundrie after the couple were stopped by the police
The family’s lawsuit alleges that police mistook Brian Laundrie for the victim at the time and failed to adequately protect the influencer (who has more than a million followers on Instagram).
Gabby’s mother Nicole Schmidt told journalists: “We have the feeling that we have to ensure justice because she could have been protected that day.” It is important to the bereaved that such a failure is not repeated.
Gabby’s parents at the press conference announcing their lawsuit Photo: picture alliance/AP Photo/Rick Bowmer
Moab (Utah) police have denied the serious allegations. A statement from the small town said: “On August 12, no one could have foreseen the tragedy that would take place weeks later and hundreds of miles away.” The lawsuit will be vigorously opposed.