Lawsuit Claims Brian Laundrie’s Parents Knew ‘Whereabouts’ of Gabby Petito’s Body

(CNN) — In an amendment to their lawsuit filed earlier this spring, the parents of Gabby Petito They allege that during the search for the young woman, Brian Laundrie’s parents knew that their son had killed her and knew “the whereregardings of her body.”

The amended lawsuitfiled by Petito’s parents, alleges that the Laundrie family vacationed at Fort De Soto Park in Florida, while Petito’s family was “extremely distraught” and trying to locate her.

Gabby Petito Brian Laundrie

A photo of Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie before the young woman’s disappearance.

CNN previously reported that documents from Pinellas County, Florida, showed that Laundrie’s mother had made a camping reservation at Fort De Soto Park for the first weekend in September, only to change it to a later date and add another person.

County records show that Roberta Laundrie made the new reservation on Sept. 3, two days following her son returned home. The changed booking was scheduled to begin Sept. 6 for three people at Fort De Soto Park, regarding 75 miles from the family’s home.

The lawsuit alleges that the Laundrie family went on vacation “knowing that Brian Laundrie had murdered Gabrielle Petito, it is believed that they knew where her body was located and that Gabrielle Petito’s parents were trying to locate her.”

The Laundrie family’s attorney told CNN that they are confident the case will be dismissed, adding in a statement, “The allegations in the amended lawsuit may now fit the proper allegations, but do not give rise to legal liability. Therefore, we are still confident that the Court will dismiss the action,” said Steven Bertolino.

Petito’s remains were found in Teton County, Wyoming, in September, just over a week following his family reported him missing.

The 22-year-old woman died of strangulation, a coroner ruled. She had been on a cross-country trip with Laundrie, who was her fiancé. Laundrie returned to the couple’s home alone on September 1, leaving once more regarding two weeks later and disappearing.

Laundrie’s remains were later found on a Florida reservation and a medical examiner ruled that he committed suicide. Nearby, authorities found a notebook that said Laundrie claimed responsibility for Petito’s death.

The lawsuit accuses Laundrie’s parents of acting in an “extreme and outrageous manner” for various reasons, including failing to inform Petito’s parents that she was dead and where her remains were and taking a vacation with their son while the Petito family was looking for the young woman.

There is no specific dollar amount in the lawsuit, but Petito’s parents are asking for damages in excess of $30,000.

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