In 2021, the disappearance of Gabby Petito, a 22-year-old woman traveling across the country with her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, quickly escalated into a national story when Petito was reported missing after her family was unable to contact her for over two weeks.

When police arrived at Brian Laundrie's home in Florida shortly after the report, they were met with silence and resistance from his parents, Christopher and Roberta Laundrie, as bodycam evidence now shows, and this lack of cooperation raised public concern and prompted questions about the role the Laundries played in the investigation, as the New York Post reports.

Laundrie Returns Alone from Cross-Country Trip

Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie embarked on a months-long journey across the U.S. in a white Ford Transit van in the summer of 2021. After nearly two months on the road, Laundrie returned alone to his parents' home in Florida on Sept. 1, without any explanation regarding Petito's whereabouts.

On Sept. 11 of that year, Nichole Schmidt, Petito's mother, reported her daughter missing after losing contact for over two weeks. This missing person's report initiated a nationwide search. Eight days later, authorities discovered Petito’s remains near a campground in Wyoming, sparking even more outrage as details surrounding her death came to light.

Body Found as Laundries Remain Silent

While law enforcement searched for Petito, her family pleaded for information. The Laundries, however, were tight-lipped, refusing to provide answers or aid in the investigation. Bodycam footage from that period shows police approaching the Laundrie household, where Christopher Laundrie responded with short, dismissive remarks. "I’m not talking to anybody," he told officers. His curt "No" when pressed for further information fueled suspicions about their involvement.

Despite knowing that Brian Laundrie had returned without Petito, his parents did not disclose any details to authorities. The release of bodycam footage confirmed that Christopher and Roberta Laundrie remained uncooperative throughout the investigation, exacerbating public frustration.

Search for Gabby Petito Ends in Tragedy

As the search for Petito intensified, her body was discovered on Sept. 19, 2021, in Wyoming. The coroner later confirmed that Petito’s cause of death was "manual strangulation." This tragic revelation solidified what many had feared -- that Petito had been murdered during her trip with Laundrie.

With Laundrie now the prime suspect, he quickly disappeared from public view. After weeks of speculation and mounting media attention, his body was found in a Florida nature preserve on Oct. 20, 2021. His death was ruled a suicide.

Laundrie Takes Responsibility in FBI Notebook

Following the discovery of Laundrie’s remains, a notebook found in his backpack revealed a written confession. In it, Laundrie took responsibility for Petito’s murder, admitting his involvement in her death. The notebook provided crucial evidence, bringing some level of closure to the case.

This confession came too late for Petito's family, who had been searching for answers for weeks. The delay in information, exacerbated by the Laundrie family's refusal to cooperate, caused widespread outrage.

Civil Lawsuit Filed Against the Laundries

In March 2022, Petito’s family took legal action against Christopher and Roberta Laundrie, filing a civil lawsuit alleging that they had known about their son's actions. The lawsuit accused the Laundries of trying to help Brian Laundrie cover up the crime. According to the suit, Laundrie had called his parents up to 20 times in the days following Petito’s death, suggesting that his parents were well aware of the situation but chose not to inform the authorities.

The lawsuit also highlighted that the Laundries had retained a defense lawyer in Wyoming with a $25,000 retainer. This further supported the claim that the Laundries had been attempting to protect their son from facing justice.

Lawsuit Settled After Mediation

The legal battle between the Petito and Laundrie families continued until February 2024. After a lengthy process, both parties reached a settlement during a mediation session. While the details of the settlement were not fully disclosed, the resolution marked the end of the legal fight. For Petito’s family, it was a step toward healing, though they continued to mourn the loss of their daughter.

The Laundries’ actions throughout the investigation, combined with the newly released bodycam footage, will likely be remembered as a key factor in the public’s frustration and the delays in bringing Petito’s case to a conclusion.

Conclusion

Gabby Petito's tragic death in 2021 sparked a nationwide search and an investigation that focused on her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie.

Despite the Laundries’ refusal to cooperate with law enforcement, Petito's body was found after an eight-day search, and Laundrie later took responsibility for her murder in a notebook found after his suicide.

The Petito family filed a lawsuit against the Laundries, accusing them of trying to protect their son, and after nearly two years of legal battles, the case was settled in 2024.

The bodycam footage that recently surfaced continues to shed light on the Laundries' actions during this devastating case.