Gabby Petito’s Parents Reveal Why They Saved Pieces of Her Van

Gabby Petito’s parents are holding onto pieces of her memory.

Nearly four years after the tragic murder of their daughter, Gabby Petito, at the hands of her former fiancé Brian Laundrie, Joe and Tara Petito disclosed where they kept the camper van that Gabby and Brian had been traveling in prior to their demise.

In an interview on February 17th, Joe stated to Brian Entin: “We destroyed the minivan. We didn’t wish for it to remain, with someone claiming ownership, ‘This is the van that Gabby was associated with…’ and so forth.

The insight emerged during the moment when Joe and Tara displayed their memory-filled cabinet to Brian at home, which contained mementos of Gabby – such items being from within her van and fragments of the van’s exterior that they preserved prior to destroying the car.

With a round piece of white metal featuring the phrase “Let’s get lost” above an image of mountains, Tara clarified, “This is where we emptied her fuel tank.

A poignant peek into how Joe and Tara, along with Gabby’s mother Nichole Schmidt and stepfather Joe Schmidt, are struggling to cope following the loss of their daughter, surfaces concurrently with the debut of a fresh docuseries titled American Murder: Gabby Petito, which delves into the tumultuous relationship between Brian and Gabby.

In the Netflix series, one of the interviewees is Rose Davis, who developed a friendship with Gabby following her relocation to Florida in December 2019, as she sought to be nearer Brian’s relatives.

After meeting Brian and Gabby for the first time, Rose reflected, “It seemed as if a parent was observing us during a playdate, which felt quite unusual.” Despite acknowledging Brian’s pleasant demeanor, Rose shared with her mother upon returning home, “There’s something not quite right about him.

A poignant peek into how Joe and Tara, along with Gabby’s mother Nichole Schmidt and stepfather Joe Schmidt, are coping with life without their beloved daughter surfaces concurrently with the unveiling of a fresh docuseries titled American Murder: Gabby Petito, which delves into the tumultuous relationship between Brian and Gabby.

In the captivating Netflix series, I had the pleasure of meeting Rose Davis – a remarkable woman who forged a beautiful friendship with Gabby following her move to Florida towards the end of 2019, to be near Brian’s loved ones.

During my initial encounter with Brian and Gabby, I found myself thinking, “It seemed like a parent was supervising us during a playdate, which felt quite unusual.” Admittedly, Brian came across as “very pleasant,” but upon returning home, I shared with my mother, “There’s something not quite right about him.

In the waning days of summer 2021, both Gabby and Brian mysteriously vanished. However, following a thorough investigation by federal authorities, I came to learn that it was Brian who took Gabby’s life. Her tragic demise was determined to be a homicide resulting from manual strangulation and blunt-force trauma to her head and neck.

In October, it was found that Brian had passed away due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head; his demise is classified as a suicide.

For more insight from American Murder: Gabby Petito, keep reading.

In the Netflix documentary, ‘American Murder: Gabby Petito,’ Gabby Petito’s mother, Nichole Schmidt, described Brian Laundrie as being somewhat socially awkward yet incredibly polite.

Jim Schmidt remarked that it was somewhat peaceful. However, Joe Petito countered by saying that Brian not only shook your hand but also made eye contact with you.

Gabby and Brian became a couple following their high school years – it was love at first sight for him, as he would recount the instant he spotted her outside a deli and swerved to engage her in conversation – and by the end of just eight months of courtship, she had relocated to Florida with him to be near his family, doing so in December 2019.

In Florida, Gabby’s acquaintance, Rose Davis, described their initial gathering with both Gabby and Brian as feeling akin to having a parent watch over a playdate, finding it quite unusual. Brian was noted as being pleasant, but Rose recollected sharing her unease about him with her mother afterwards, mentioning that there seemed to be something not quite right about him.

As our friendship continued to grow, it became increasingly apparent to Rose that Brian had a rather shadowy aspect to his personality.

In July 2020, Brian suggested something. 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.”

As a lifestyle advisor, I find myself reflecting on Tara Petito’s sentiments. It did come across as somewhat surprising to me too, when Brian chose not to consult Joe before proposing to their daughter. In my professional opinion, such a crucial step in starting a new family relationship should ideally be discussed and agreed upon with both parties involved, ensuring harmony and respect for everyone’s feelings.

Initially, Gabby was both thrilled and joyful. However, over time, her enthusiasm seemed to wane, as Nicole put it.

Gabby found great joy in her role at Taco Bell, a position she held to finance her cherished 2012 White Ford Transit Connect van. However, according to her account, Brian began experiencing feelings of being overlooked and developed a sense of ownership towards Gabby.

In the series’ text exchanges, he criticized her profession and referred to her coworkers as “undesirable individuals,” expressing his distaste by saying it was “extremely repulsive” that she had associated with such people.

In simpler terms, she explained that he skillfully made her believe that she was wrong for upsetting him, which led her to think she didn’t deserve Brian’s affection. Put another way, she stated, “He aimed to make her feel guilty for hurting him.

In Rose’s words, “There was a point in time, prior to her living in a van, that it seemed like she began to truly see things,” she noted. It appeared as though Gabby was growing increasingly agitated. It felt as if all the pieces were finally falling into place for her, as more time passed.

Even though the video Gabby took shows Brian appearing friendly, it was during their #VanLife adventure that started in July 2021.

However, as Rose mentioned, he wasn’t very supportive of his fiancée’s aspirations and mostly accompanied her more for personal gain rather than genuine enthusiasm.

Rose stated that if he could remove her from her job, he’d be the only one in her life. As it turned out, not long after, they both disappeared.

Gabby explained to 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 film. It might be a concern that he could say something inappropriate or react incorrectly during the recording process.

On August 12, 2021, someone phoned 911 to say they observed a man striking a woman by the roadside in Moab, Utah. Afterward, they departed, and the vehicle they were traveling in struck a curb.

Footage captured by body cameras worn by the Moab City Police officers during their encounter with Brian and Gabby on that day was shown several weeks afterwards, as part of the ongoing investigation regarding Gabby’s destiny.

However, it’s surprising that Gabby appears to accept accountability for the physical confrontation, explaining to the police that her anxiety and severe OCD were exacerbated by Brian, who was causing her stress, yet she claimed to have been attempting to keep him composed.

Brian explained to the police that he had scrapes on his face because he was attempting to move Gabby away as she reached for the van keys, not intentionally causing harm.

When an officer inquired about the bruises on Gabby’s face and arm, she repeatedly responded, “I’m not sure.” However, she later explained to the authorities that she had argued with him, implying that perhaps she struck him first.

According to the video evidence, one officer shared with another that “it seems she is acting as the clear aggressor in this situation.

Next, an officer led Brian to a local hotel that served as a sanctuary for those affected by domestic violence. Meanwhile, they handed the van keys over to Gabby, explaining the location where she could find an affordable shower to relax and unwind slightly.

In my role as a lifestyle advisor, I’d put it this way: Despite being instructed to maintain distance until the following day, this pair found themselves reconnecting unexpectedly that very evening. Before you could say ‘Salt Lake City,’ they were on their way there, a testament to the power of their bond.

In the series, I, being a devoted fan, mentioned, “She never shared with me about their spat in Moab,” Rose expressed. Noticing that Gabby would occasionally call me via FaceTime while on the move, “I’ve witnessed her that distraught before, and it was always due to 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 remarked in the series, “I saw my daughter looking terrified. It was then that I understood the situation was far more dire than I had ever imagined.

Seeing my daughter in such distress, while officers were laughing and joking with Brian instead of addressing the situation, left me shocked and disbelieving, thinking she was being unfairly labeled as an aggressor,” Nichole explained.

Gabby’s former boyfriend, Jackson (last name unknown), mentioned in the series that she contacted him unexpectedly on August 22, 2021. They had been dating for approximately a year before she began seeing Brian, he pointed out, and they had discussed embarking on a #VanLife journey together. Consequently, upon learning about her adventure with Brian, he felt a touch of nostalgia, but also joy for her.

She wrote in the series, “It seems unlikely that I’m someone you’d want to hear from right now.” She also mentioned that she would not be alone until the next day and suggested they have a conversation before then if 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, and furthermore mentioned, “I’ve got an idea, I believe I might want to part ways with him.” She needed to determine the timing for this, she shared with him.

Jackson stated, “I believe she was uncertain about his actions, or his capabilities. It seems to me she wanted to leave, but was unsure of the best way to go about it.

Gabby messaged him on August 27 through Snapchat, mentioning that being in Jackson Hole, Wyoming brought back memories of him. She also phoned him later that day at 1:45 p.m., according to Jackson, but he was busy at work and couldn’t take the call. After this incident, he didn’t receive any communication from her anymore.

He mused, “Perhaps had I answered the phone call, I might have offered assistance or possibly the results would have been different.

On August 27th, Gabby messaged her mom: “I’m okay. I managed to persuade Brian to go camp in the forest so I can have the vehicle all to myself. That’s something he wanted to do anyway. Frankly, it doesn’t matter to me. He told me I could have the vehicle if I paid him for it.

Gabby clarified that she was not ending their relationship when she mentioned earning more income as a solo female traveler living in a van. She’s currently on her way to a camping spot.

Subsequent messages sent to Gabby remained unanswered. On August 30th, Nichole received a text from her daughter’s phone that seemed strange to her because it referred to Gabby’s grandfather by his personal name, Stan, rather than the usual term of endearment, “grandpa.

Since then, Nicole hasn’t received any response from Gabby. On September 10th, she texted Brian’s mom, Roberta, but didn’t get a reply. When she tried again, the chat bubble changed from blue to green, suggesting either Roberta’s phone was turned off or Nicole might have 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, without success. He stated this in the series, mentioning that when he texted them, they were contacting the police instead.

TopMob News attempted to get a response from the Laundries’ legal representative, but did not receive one. As stated in the series, they were unwilling to offer a comment through their lawyer at that time. Meanwhile, Cassie shared with reporters that she and her husband were following updates on the case via media outlets and were as concerned, frustrated, and distressed as everyone else, since they weren’t aware of the current situation involving her parents or brother.

On September 11th, the police in North Port, Florida, visited Roberta and Chris’ residence to inquire if they knew anything about Gabby’s location.

The body camera recordings of the police reveal Chris informing officers that Brian was indoors, offering no further comments, and suggesting they contact the family’s legal representative.

From the available videos and voice recordings, authorities in North Port and Suffolk County, where Gabby’s family resided, found themselves uncertain about their next steps because they hadn’t discovered any evidence indicating a crime had taken place at that time.

However, since the vehicle that Brian and Gabby had been using was left parked in the Laundry family’s driveway, and as Gabby’s name was the sole owner indicated on the title, the authorities swiftly arranged for its removal by towing it away.

After discovering all these details, Nicole remembered from the show, “My body couldn’t stop trembling…I sensed that something terrible had occurred.

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

Friend Rose shared, “To tell the truth, I completely fell apart. I found myself shouting, ‘What on earth has he done? Did he do something?’

In the recounting of events in the series, FBI Special Agent Loretta Bush noted that when authorities visited the Laundrie residence on September 17th, Brian’s parents mentioned that he wasn’t home and they hadn’t seen him for three days, expressing their concern and intention to report him missing.

In the items found at home, there was a letter from his mom, with instructions to burn it once read.

You’re my kid, and nothing can change how much I love you. No situation or action could ever drive us apart. If you were in prison, I’d find a way to sneak a file inside a cake. If you needed help disposing of something, I’d appear with a shovel and garbage bags.

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

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

On August 29th, Brian had numerous conversations with his parents, as reported by Busy. It appears they communicated frequently. We found out that he informed them about Gabby no longer being around and his requirement for a legal representative. At this juncture, his parents transferred funds to the attorney.

Joe recalled thinking, “Are you seriously planning to spend $25,000 from your savings on a lawyer from Wyoming without even knowing her location? This seems rather questionable.

Gabby’s stepfather, Jim, claimed that the sum wasn’t for anything less than to act as a representative for someone accused of murder.

It was chilling to discover that even though he had been sending texts to Gabby while pretending she was still alive, those messages weren’t read until he himself returned to the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area within Bridger-Teton National Forest, where her phone actually was.

As I closely observed, the interaction between my two devices seemed to happen in a blink of an eye. I found myself simultaneously handling the phones, engaged in what appeared to be a one-sided conversation. It seemed clear that this individual was attempting to establish an alibi.

On August 30th, I embarked on a journey to Florida, utilizing Gabby’s debit card to cover fuel expenses at various gas stations en route, following the FBI’s account. I also sent a text regarding Gabby’s grandfather to her mother and initiated a Zelle payment from Gabby’s account to myself for $700, mimicking the appearance that she was compensating me for the vehicle.

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

On September 19, 2021, the search party discovered Gabby’s remains at the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area where they were officially searching.

Initially, she was curled up on her left side, with a hoodie as her attire. Upon examination by the medical examiner, it was discovered that she had suffered from strangulation and also had injuries to her head and neck due to blunt impact.

In my expertise, I’d say, “Upon closer observation, I noticed an unnatural arrangement of her body, which led me to suspect that she wasn’t actually murdered at this scene. Instead, it seems the crime scene may have been deliberately staged.

As a devoted follower, I’d rephrase it as: When Gabby’s stepfather, Jim, arrived, he was there for the search. Upon seeing a photograph of her lifeless body, left abandoned like discarded waste by someone who was supposed to cherish her, he crumpled to the ground. He then reached out to Nichole, Joe, and Tara in those difficult moments, recalling these events in the series.

Joe shared, “I received a call that I wouldn’t get to meet my daughter anymore,” he lamented. Tara described that day as the most difficult one they had ever experienced.

Joe went on to say, “I often ponder over her final moments. It’s likely that she felt fear. But when she was afraid, she would reach out to either me, Jim, Tara, or Nicki, so I’m unsure whom she may have called in distress.

On October 20, the remains of Brian were discovered at the Carlton Memorial Reserve. His death was determined as a suicide due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Nearby, a waterproof sack contained photographs of Brian and Gabby, along with a notebook that was also waterproof. In this notebook, it appeared that he had written about Gabby being hurt, as well as him ending her life in an attempt to alleviate her suffering.

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

In addition to various letters, there was one that said, “Kindly avoid causing further hardship for my family; they have already lost both a son and a daughter.

In the captivating world of the series, I couldn’t help but ponder over his choice of words. It struck me as peculiar when he asserted, “Keep my parents out of this, they’ve done nothing amiss.” As a devoted fan, it’s fascinating to delve into such intricate details.

Jim pointed out that none of Brian’s accounts aligned with the conclusions drawn from Gabby’s autopsy. The primary cause of her demise, as determined by the autopsy, was strangulation, which bore no resemblance to anything Brian had mentioned.

In the year 2022, a court granted Gabby’s family three million dollars as compensation in a lawsuit accusing Brian’s estate of wrongful death. A separate case they brought against his parents for causing intentional and reckless emotional distress was resolved amicably in February 2024.

2025-02-18 17:48

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