(LibertyInsider.org) – Representatives for both the Petito and Laundrie families say they have decided to settle their ongoing legal battle out of court. While the exact terms of the deal remain confidential, reports suggest that both sides “reluctantly” agreed to the resolution in hopes of avoiding the need to go to court.
Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie made national headlines in 2021 when they embarked on a cross-country road trip that ultimately ended in tragedy. Initially, the young couple’s journey seemed idyllic, as they often shared van life with the world through vlogs. The narrative took a dark turn in Moab, Utah, in August 2021 when a witness who allegedly saw Petito and Laundrie fighting reported the scuffle to police.
Families of Gabby Petito, Brian Laundrie ‘reluctantly’ reach settlement to avoid civil trial https://t.co/dmmQ5HzT7x pic.twitter.com/7B5RXGQ842
— New York Post (@nypost) February 22, 2024
Officers tracked the couple down in the area that same day. They noted that Gabby appeared emotionally distressed and showed signs of being in some kind of altercation but ultimately opted not to file any charges. Instead, police mandated that the two separate for the night until they cooled down and transported Petito to a hotel.
Petito’s family reported her missing later that month after they lost contact with her. Although authorities initiated an immediate and very high-profile search for Gabby, they tragically discovered her remains in Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National Forest in September.
Law enforcement attempted to track Brian Laundrie, who we now know had quietly returned home alone, down for questioning. His family refused to comment and directed all questions to an attorney, prompting immediate criticism from the public.
Petito’s family began to grow suspicious of Brian’s parents and surmised that they knew more about Gabby’s disappearance than they were willing to admit. They accused the young man’s family of helping him to evade justice and claimed that he had sent a misleading text from their daughter’s phone in a bid to throw them off the trail.
The Laundries staunchly denied these claims, and Petito’s family quickly responded by filing a lawsuit over the matter. They were originally seeking accountability as well as $30,000 in damages for emotional distress and the anguish of losing their daughter.
When Laundrie himself went missing in October, it prompted yet another high-profile search. Authorities did find a body in Florida’s Carlton Reserve later that month but were initially hesitant to confirm whether it was Brian. The deceased young man’s parents eventually confirmed his identity after they recognized his personal belongings.
Petito’s family sued for emotional distress after Gabby’s body was discovered in October 2023.
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