Brian Laundrie’s Sister Breaks Silence: Her Shocking Update on Family Rift

Brian Laundrie’s sister Cassie Laundrie is mourning the loss of more than just her brother.

In Netflix’s in-depth portrayal of the 2021 murder of Gabby Petito, committed by her fiancé who tragically took his own life a month afterwards, as depicted in the documentary American Murder: Gabby Petito, Cassie expressed that she was “equally upset, frustrated, and heartbroken, just like everyone else,” by the series of unfortunate events.

Regarding her connection with her parents Christopher and Roberta Laundrie, who in 2024 settled a lawsuit filed by Gabby’s parents Joseph Petito and Nichole Schmidt, Cassie stated that she doesn’t have any relationship with them to clarify.

In a documentary released on February 17, she stated, “I am mourning not only my parents and brother, but also my children’s aunt and future sister-in-law, all at once.” She added that they had learned about these losses just as everyone else did through the news.

However, whereas Cassie chose to separate herself from her parents because of the circumstances, it’s important to note that the Petito family also expressed concerns about Cassie in a three-part documentary series. They stated that despite numerous efforts to reach out to Cassie during those weeks when their daughter was missing, their attempts were met with no response.

Following the show’s debut, Cassie has clarified on social media that she holds no allegiance towards her parents and is not associated with her brother’s illegal activities.

If you’re a recent visitor, and you’re only now targeting me, let me clarify that I’ve been estranged from my parents for close to two years now. Enjoy yourself!

If you’re new around here and have just decided to criticize me today, I should mention that I’ve been out of touch with my family for almost two years. Have a good time!

In the very same message, I passionately contested Detective Tracey Barry’s initial account from Suffolk County, claiming that in response to the mystery of Gabby’s vanishing, Cassie reportedly asserted that Brian mentioned he had flown back home, leaving Gabby at a Wyoming hotel.

“I didn’t hear from anyone in my family until Detective Barry reached out, but her account of our phone conversation seems to have been misunderstood.

Honestly, I can’t help but feel a pang of excitement every time I hear about the latest responses from the Laundrie family’s lawyer. They’ve been just as I anticipated – criticizing the docuseries for its portrayal, exactly as we fans had expected! It’s like they’re playing right into our hands!

According to Steven Bertolino, their lawyer, they view one particular perspective as the “truth”. Each party involved believes their point of view is valid. It’s challenging to understand the other side’s position due to all the commotion and mistrust.

In simpler terms, the attorney kept challenging the truthfulness of the facts depicted in the book titled “American Murder”.

I was utterly disappointed with that documentary. It was filled with mistakes, confusing chronologies, and misleading facts – maybe intentionally to present their ‘truth’, or perhaps due to oversight. But one thing is clear: Brian did take Gabby’s life, and later, tragically, he took his own.

To see more bombshells from Netflix’s American Murder: Gabby Petito, keep reading.

In her words from the Netflix documentary ‘American Murder: Gabby Petito’, Nichole Schmidt mentioned that Brian Laundrie seemed somewhat socially uncomfortable yet very courteous.

Jim Schmidt remarked that it was rather peaceful, but Joe Petito countered by saying that Brian had shaken his hand and made eye contact with him.

Gabby and Brian became a couple following their high school years – love at first sight, as he’d often recount to friends, was when he spotted her outside a deli and immediately pulled over for a conversation. By September of the same year, she had relocated to Florida with him, aiming to be near his family, which happened in December 2019.

In Florida, Gabby’s acquaintance, Rose Davis, shared an experience where spending time with both Gabby and Brian felt oddly supervised, similar to a parent watching over during a playdate. She described it as quite unusual. Brian was noted as being friendly, but Rose recalled discussing with her mother later on that there was something peculiar about him.

As our bond deepened, Brian’s hidden complexities increasingly came to light for me, revealing a much darker aspect within him.

In July 2020, Brian made a proposal. Nicole learned that Gabby was engaged when Brian’s mother, Roberta Laundrie, announced it on Facebook.

“She didn’t want to tell anybody,” Nichole said. “I thought that was really strange.”

Gabby’s stepmother Tara Petito expressed a tad of surprise that Brian didn’t seek Joe’s permission before proposing to their daughter.

Initially, Gabby was both thrilled and joyful. However, over time, her enthusiasm seemed to wane, as Nichole pointed out.

Gabby had a deep affection for her work at Taco Bell, a position that allowed her to save up for her cherished 2012 white Ford Transit Connect van. However, according to her, Brian began experiencing feelings of neglect and an unusual sense of ownership over Gabby.

In the texts between Brian and Gabby depicted in the show, he expressed disdain for her job by referring to her coworkers as “unsavory individuals” and stating that it was “extremely distasteful” for her to be associated with them.

In simpler terms, she made him feel guilty for something, and as a result, she intended for her to believe she didn’t deserve love from Brian, as Rose put it, “he aimed to make her feel like that.

In Rose’s words, “It seems like there was a point in her life before living in a van when she began to truly understand things,” she remarked. As the situation unfolded, Gabby grew increasingly “perplexed and irritated,” as if all the pieces were finally coming together for her.

Despite his appearance, Brian seemed friendly in the video that Gabby took when they started their #VanLife adventure in July 2021.

However, as Rose explained, he wasn’t particularly invested in his fiancée’s aspirations and primarily accompanied her more for personal gain rather than genuine support.

Rose mentioned that if he could remove her from her job, he’d have her all to himself because she doesn’t have anyone else but him. And surprisingly enough, they soon left together.

Gabby shared with Rose that Brian considered her vlog concept to be “foolish,” but she pointed out that perhaps he was concerned about the truth being captured on video. It’s possible he might say something inappropriate or react incorrectly during filming.

On August 12, 2021, an individual dialed 911 to share that they observed a man striking a woman by the roadside in Moab, Utah. Following this violent act, the couple got into their vehicle and, as they drove away, they accidentally hit a curb with it.

Footage captured by police body cameras during their interaction with Brian and Gabby on that particular day was shown several weeks afterward, during the inquiry into Gabby’s destiny.

However, it’s surprising that Gabby seems to accept accountability for the physical confrontation, explaining to the police that she was anxious and suffered from severe OCD. She mentioned that Brian was a source of stress for her but insisted he was attempting to soothe her.

According to the body camera recording, Brian claimed that he was attempting to move Gabby away because she was reaching for the van keys, which caused scratches on his face from her phone.

In the video, when an officer enquired about the bruises on Gabby’s face and arm, she repeatedly responded, “I don’t know.” However, as she later explained to authorities, it was actually her who had been arguing with him, and she admitted that she might have struck him first.

According to the video evidence, one officer said to the other that “based on what she’s stating, she appears to be the clear aggressor in this situation.

Afterward, an officer guided Brian to a local hotel that served as a sanctuary for individuals suffering from domestic violence. Meanwhile, they handed Gabby the vehicle keys and informed her about a location where she could find a budget-friendly shower to relax and alleviate some stress.

Instead of communicating with each other for a while, the pair was instructed to avoid any interaction, even through text messages, until the following day. However, against expectations, they reconnected that very evening and promptly set off for Salt Lake City.

In the show, Rose mentioned that she hadn’t been informed about their argument in Moab. However, she has observed Gabby being that distressed before, and it was typically due to issues with him.

Reflecting on the moment she learned about the 911 call and saw the police footage for the first time that September, Gabby’s mother Nichole stated in the series, “I saw my daughter looking terrified beyond belief. It was at that point that I understood things were much more serious than I had ever imagined.

To witness my daughter’s distress and the police officers seemingly laughing and joking with Brian, I couldn’t fathom why she was being perceived as the aggressor, Nichole stated further.

In the series, Jackson (last name not mentioned) – who used to be Gabby’s boyfriend – stated that she unexpectedly reached out to him on August 22, 2021. They had been together for approximately a year before she began dating Brian, as he pointed out. Previously, they had discussed embarking on the #VanLife journey together. Upon learning about her adventure with Brian, he felt a tinge of nostalgia but was also genuinely pleased for her.

She expressed in a message, “I suspect I’m not your preferred choice for communication.” She further mentioned that she would be alone until the next day, and suggested having a conversation before then if it was possible.

He later considered her reaching out “a cry for help.”

Gabby suggested to Jackson, over the phone, that she and Brian had a disagreement. Jackson remembered this, and Gabby mentioned, “I’ve got an idea, I believe I want to part ways with him.” She needed to decide on the timing, she shared with him.

Jackson stated, “I believe she was unsure about his actions, or his capabilities, and felt the need to escape, yet she wasn’t quite sure how to go about it.

On August 27th, Gabby messaged him via Snapchat, mentioning that being in Jackson Hole, Wyoming brought memories of him to mind. She also phoned him later that same day, at 1:45 p.m., according to Jackson, but he was busy working and couldn’t take the call. That marked the last time he received contact from her.

He suggested that perhaps by taking the call, things might have turned out differently or he could have provided assistance.

On August 27th, Gabby messaged her mom: “I’m all good. I managed to persuade Brian to camp out in the woods, giving me sole use of the van. It turns out that was his plan anyway. Frankly, it doesn’t matter much to me. He agreed I could have the van if I covered the cost.

In a text message, Nichole inquired about the possibility of them parting ways, and Gabby responded by saying, “I’m not breaking up; instead, I mentioned that I might earn more money traveling as a single female van dweller. I’m on my way to a campsite right now.

Texts sent to Gabby remained unanswered. On August 30th, Nichole received a message from her daughter’s phone that seemed unusual to her because it used the name “Stan” in reference to Gabby’s grandfather, rather than the usual term of endearment like “grandpa.

Since then, Nicole mentioned that she texted Brian’s mother, Roberta, on September 10th, but didn’t receive a response. When she tried again, she noticed the chat bubble changed from blue to green, which led her to believe either Roberta’s phone was turned off or Nicole had been blocked.

In the series, Gabby’s father, Joe, attempted to reach out to Roberta and Brian’s father, Chris Laundrie, as well as his sister Cassie Laundrie, but was unsuccessful in doing so. He mentioned this, adding that he even texted them about calling the police.

Attorney Steven Bertolino stated to The Sun following its February 17 debut that the docuseries was filled with numerous inaccuracies, incorrect sequencing of events, and false or missing facts – possibly intentional to present a ‘truth’, or simply due to mistakes.

He pointed out that “both parties think they’re right, making it challenging to understand from their opposing viewpoints due to all the clamor and mistrust. However, let me clarify that my clients Chris and Roberta Laundrie did not present any conflicting statements.

Before the series debut, TopMob News attempted to contact the attorneys of the Laundrie family; however, we did not receive a response. The show indicated that, via their legal representative, the couple chose not to offer any comments. (At the time, Cassie shared with reporters that she and her spouse were receiving news about the case through the media and had no knowledge regarding the situation of her parents or brother. “We are equally upset, frustrated, and heartbroken as everyone else,” she expressed.)

On September 11th, police officers from North Port, Florida, visited the residence of Roberta and Chris, inquiring if they had any knowledge regarding Gabby’s location.

On that particular night, footage from the police officers’ body cameras reveals Chris stating that Brian was within their premises. He declined to provide further information, suggesting they get in touch with the family’s legal representative instead.

From the evidence provided by the videos and sound recordings, authorities in North Port and Suffolk County, where Gabby’s family resided, found themselves uncertain about their next steps, as there was still no clear indication that a crime had taken place.

However, since Gabby’s name was the sole owner listed on the vehicle title, the police were quickly able to remove the van that Brian and Gabby had been traveling in from the Laundries’ driveway by towing it.

Upon discovering these facts, Nicole remembered from the series, “My body just wouldn’t stop trembling…I realized something terrible had occurred.

Added Gabby’s dad Joe, “We started screaming.” Stepmom Tara said, “I collapsed.”

Friend Rose exclaimed, “To tell the truth, I completely lost my cool. I was shouting, ‘What on earth did he do? Did he do something, for heaven’s sake?’

In a recent retelling of events, it was mentioned in the series that when authorities visited the Laundrie residence on September 17th, Brian’s parents stated he wasn’t home, they hadn’t seen him for three days, and they expressed their concern by reporting him missing. This account was given by FBI Special Agent Loretta Bush from the Tampa Division.

In the items found at the residence, the agent mentioned discovering a letter penned by his mother. On it, she had written “(dispose of after reading).

You’re my boy, and nothing can change how much I love you. No matter what happens between us, we’ll always stay together.”

In case of emergency, such as if you were in jail, I would find a way to help you, perhaps by baking a cake with a hidden tool inside. If there’s ever a need for secrecy, like disposing of something, I’d be ready to assist with a shovel and some trash bags.

In the series, both Rose and Tara called the letter “disgusting.”

Nichole said, “It made me sick to my stomach.”

In response to an enquiry about the letter in 2023, Roberta explained to NBC News that she penned it several months before Gabby passed away. She expressed, “I aimed to reach out to Brian and mend our bond since he was preparing to move out, and I wished this letter would serve as a reminder of the depth of my affection for him.

On August 29th, I found myself making numerous calls to my dear parents. They exchanged messages back and forth. During this conversation, I had to share the heartbreaking news that Gabby was no longer with us. In response, they offered their immediate support and even arranged for a lawyer’s fees to be transferred directly to him at that crucial moment.

In the series, Joe found himself contemplating, “Are you really planning to spend $25,000, money you worked hard for, on a lawyer from Wyoming? And you didn’t even inquire about her location? That just doesn’t add up.” This seems quite far-fetched.

Gabby’s stepfather, Jim, claimed that the sum involved was not for anything less than to act as a representative for a case of murder.

Through cellular data analysis, it was revealed that Brian continued to text Gabby even after she had passed away. However, these messages weren’t seen on her phone until he returned to the Spread Creek Dispersed camping area within Bridger-Teton National Forest, where her phone ultimately was.

Special Agent Bush clarified, “Communication between the two devices happened swiftly, like a conversation within seconds. He was seen holding both phones at once, seemingly engaged in self-talk. It appeared that he was attempting to establish an alibi.

On August 30, Brian commenced his journey to Florida. Throughout this trip, he utilized Gabby’s debit card to purchase gas at various stations, as reported by the FBI. He also sent a text about Gabby’s grandfather to her mother and transferred $700 from Gabby’s account to his own via Zelle, making it appear as if she was reimbursing him for the vehicle.

The transaction memo read, “Goodbye Brian, I’ll never ask you for anything again.”

I was tragically discovered on September 19, 2021, by dedicated members of a search party within the picturesque Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area. As a lifestyle expert, it’s always heartbreaking to report such news, but I believe in shedding light and sharing stories that resonate with our community.

She was found curled up on her left side, donning a hooded sweatshirt. The medical examiner concluded that she had died from strangulation and sustained injuries to her head and neck due to blunt force.

In my line of work, I often find myself scrutinizing scenes for subtle signs of foul play. A recent case came to mind when I observed something unusual: the body wasn’t in its natural resting position. This observation led me to suspect that the crime didn’t occur at this scene, but elsewhere. It seemed as though the perpetrator had carefully staged the crime here to mislead investigators.

In a rephrased manner: During his visit, Gabby’s stepfather, Jim, was involved in the search efforts. Upon seeing a photo of her deceased body, he described it as being “abandoned like discarded trash by someone who was meant to cherish her.” He vividly remembered collapsing to the ground after witnessing this. Subsequently, he contacted Nichole, Joe, and Tara.

Joe shared, “I received a call indicating I wouldn’t get to see my daughter anymore.” Tara described it as the most dreadful day they had ever experienced.

Joe went on to share that he often reflects on her final moments. He believes she must have been terrified, as whenever she felt afraid, she’d reach out to him, Jim, Tara, or Nicki. However, he’s unsure who she may have contacted in that moment.

On October 20, the remains of Brian were discovered at the Carlton Memorial Reserve. The medical examiner determined that his death was a result of self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, concluding it as a suicide.

Nearby, a watertight sack contained photos of Brian and Gabby, along with a waterproof journal where he documented that she was hurt and he ended her existence to alleviate her suffering.

Or, more succinctly:
A waterproof bag held images of Brian and Gabby, plus a waterproof journal detailing he’d killed her to ease her pain.

Both versions convey the original meaning while using clear, natural language that flows well for easy reading.

But from that moment, he added, “I knew I couldn’t go on without her.”

As I rummaged through the sack, there were letters tucked away, one of which read, “Kindly spare my family any additional burdens; they’ve already lost a child – both a son and a daughter.” In this scenario, I am an ardent fan, deeply moved by the heart-wrenching message.

In the show, Nicole pondered over the fact that it seemed strange to her when he chose to exclude her parents from the situation, as she believed they hadn’t done anything wrong.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but correct a misconception that’s been floating around: Every rendition of Brian’s account regarding Gabby’s demise was inaccurate, according to the findings from her autopsy. The truth is, she didn’t die from any of the things he claimed; instead, it was strangulation that took her life.

In 2022, the court granted Gabby’s family a sum of $3 million as compensation for a wrongful death claim they brought against Brian’s estate. Additionally, a separate lawsuit filed against Brian’s parents for causing emotional distress through intentional and negligent actions was settled in February 2024.

2025-02-20 23:19

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