Brian Laundrie’s parents hit back at claim they covered up Gabby Petito’s murder and defend ‘silence’ during search
BRIAN Laundrie’s parents hit back at the allegations that they covered up Gabby Petito’s murder and defended their silence during the search for the young vlogger. Chris and Roberta Laundrie filed a motion for dismissal on Friday after Gabby‘s parents, Joe and Nichole, sued them for “intentional infliction of emotional distress.” “The Laundries’ decision to […]
BRIAN Laundrie’s parents hit back at the allegations that they covered up Gabby Petito’s murder and defended their silence during the search for the young vlogger.
Chris and Roberta Laundrie filed a motion for dismissal on Friday after Gabby‘s parents, Joe and Nichole, sued them for “intentional infliction of emotional distress.”
“The Laundries’ decision to exercise their constructional rights to silence, privacy, and counsel, and to have their attorney speak for them under such trying circumstances and media pressure, could not be further from conduct that is extreme or goes beyond all bounds of decency,” the motion, obtained by WFLA, read.
“It is what most people would and should do in such a situation.”
The motion also says that “there are no more facts that could emerge that would bolster the plaintiff’s claim.”
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The suit’s status will be determined by Judge Hunter W. Carroll, who will rule for dismissal or proceed toward a jury trial next year.
The Petitos attorney Pat Reilly continued to stand by the suit and said they have evidence to support their claims.
“I think most people would recognize that if a parent is suffering because their child is missing, and I can help them and tell them where their child is, I have a moral and ethical duty to do that,” Reilly told WFLA.
He added that the argument for the lawsuit’s dismissal is “outrageous and ridiculous.”
Meanwhile, Laundries attorney, Steven Bertolino, believes the suit will ultimately be dismissed.
Gabby’s parents are zeroing in on a crucial piece of evidence in their Brian Laundrie estate lawsuit that could finally reveal the truth about the young couple’s deaths.
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Nichole has filed a $30million wrongful death suit against Laundrie‘s estate, claiming his parents helped him flee.
Lawyers for both families acknowledge the notebook is a vital piece of the new suit.
However, Bertolino speculated that Gabby’s parents are seeking the notebook and said the civil case is not likely to end in monetary damages being paid.
“This lawsuit will most likely not be defended and the Petitos will have gained nothing more than a piece of paper that tells them what everyone already knows – which is that Brian was responsible for Gabby’s death, as indicated by the FBI,” Bertolino told NBC News.
Barry Spivey, a second attorney who represents Laundrie’s estates, also believes there is no money to be recovered in the case.
“I have no idea at this point whether his estate is worth anything at all,” Spivey told the outlet.
Reilly said he’s confident the family would secure the notebook, telling NBC: “We will eventually get Brian Laundrie’s notebook and writings.”
In the lawsuit, which was filed in late April, Gabby’s parents claim the Laundries tried to help their son leave the US, knew that he murdered their daughter, and allege his parents knew the location of her body but would not provide it.
As a result, Nichole and Gabby’s dad Joe “incurred funeral and burial expenses, and they have suffered a loss of care and comfort, and suffered a loss of probable future companionship, society and comfort.”
Nichole’s lawsuit also demands a trial by jury and judgment for compensatory damages.
Barring a dismissal, a trial by jury has been set for the week of August 14, 2023, at the South County Courthouse in Sarasota County, Florida.
Petito was reported missing by her parents on September 11, 2021, after they failed to reach her or Laundrie and his family. Her body was found on September 19 in Grand Teton National Park.
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Laundrie, 23, then disappeared on September 13 but was not reported missing by his parents until days later.
A warrant was then issued for his arrest on September 23. His skeletal remains were found on October 21.
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