Brian Laundrie, the central figure in the case of the missing fiancée Gabby Petito, reportedly secured the services of a high-powered defense team in Wyoming using funds provided by his parents more than a week before Petito was reported missing.
This revelation comes from the latest amended complaint in the lawsuit filed by Petito’s family against Brian Laundrie’s parents and their attorney
According to the amended complaint, Joseph Petito and Nichole Schmidt allege that Chris and Roberta Laundrie, along with their attorney Steve Bertolino, were aware of Gabby Petito’s death and the location of her remains. Despite this knowledge, they allegedly misled Petito’s parents, giving them false hope of finding her alive and causing severe emotional distress, all while protecting their son.
The document, filed after deposing the Laundries and Bertolino, reveals that Brian Laundrie informed his parents of Gabby’s disappearance in a frantic call on Aug. 29, 2021, prompting the need for a lawyer. On Sept. 2, 2021, the Laundries relayed this information to Bertolino, who then agreed with a criminal defense firm in Laramie, Wyoming, six hours away from where Petito’s remains were eventually found.
Two weeks before Petito’s murder, witnesses in Moab, Utah, reported seeing Brian Laundrie assaulting her in public. The Wyoming defense firm representing Laundrie has ties to military law, with partner Tom Fleener being an Army veteran and former JAG lawyer.
Bertolino confirmed collecting a $25,000 retainer from the Laundries, using it to pay the defense firm
The lawsuit centers on a Sept. 14, 2021, statement by Bertolino expressing the Laundries’ hope for Gabby’s safe return, a statement Petito’s family finds outrageous given the alleged knowledge of her murder. Bertolino explained the family’s decision to speak amidst media scrutiny and protests, stating Brian Laundrie was incoherent during the call and his parents were initially unaware of Petito’s murder. The lawsuit contends the Laundries had direct knowledge of Petito’s death when they went on a camping trip in early September.
Despite Brian Laundrie’s later confession in a suicide note, the lawsuit claims he sent fake messages after Petito’s death, misleading everyone about her status. Since the case gained national attention in 2021, Petito’s parents have become advocates for missing persons and domestic violence victims.
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