Gabby Petito's family wins lawsuit against Brian Laundrie's estate

Sarasota, Florida - Gabby Petito's family has won its wrongful death lawsuit against the estate of Brian Laundrie.

The family of Gabby Petito has been awarded $3 million in their wrongful death suit against Brian Laundrie's estate.
The family of Gabby Petito has been awarded $3 million in their wrongful death suit against Brian Laundrie's estate.  © Screenshot/Instagram/gabspetito

Laundrie was the sole suspect when the body of 22-year-old Petito was found in September 2021. The FBI confirmed he admitted to killing his fiancé in a notebook found after he committed suicide that October.

Petito's mother Nichole Schmidt filed the wrongful death lawsuit against Laundrie's estate in May, seeking over $30,000 in damages.

"As a direct and proximate consequence of Brian Laundrie's tortious conduct, Nichole Schmidt and Joseph Petito incurred funeral and burial expenses, and they have suffered a loss of care and comfort, and have suffered a loss of probably future companionship, society and comfort," the suit said, per NBC News.

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Petito's parents were awarded $3 million by the judge. However, the family is not expected to receive the full amount, as Laundrie's estate is believed worth only five figures.

Petito's family has filed several other lawsuits

The family of Gabby Petito has filed several other lawsuits related to her murder.
The family of Gabby Petito has filed several other lawsuits related to her murder.  © Octavio Jones / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

Petito's parents plan to donate the money they have been awarded in the suit to the Gabby Petito Foundation, which they launched last year to support the families and friends of missing persons as well as victims of domestic violence.

The family has also filed a civil suit alleging that Laundrie's parents, Christopher and Roberta, were aware their son had killed Petito and attempted to help him evade police. The civil suit is expected to go to a jury trial next year.

Earlier this month, another wrongful death suit was filed by Petito's parents against the Moab City Police Department. The suit alleges that negligence by law enforcement during a domestic violence call involving Laundrie and Petito directly contributed to the 22-year-old's death two weeks later.

The city of Moab continues to deny any responsibility in Petito's murder.

Cover photo: Screenshot/Instagram/gabspetito

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