:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(997x150:999x152)/brian-laundrie-parents-gabby-petito-main-split-021325-db3b86933b46478fab6763a058f10302.jpg "Where Are Brian Laundrie's Parents Now?")
It’s been over three years since the tragic case of Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie gripped the world. The story of a young couple on a cross-country van trip that turned into a heartbreaking true-crime saga still lingers in public memory. As Netflix’s latest documentary American Murder: Gabby Petito brings renewed attention to the case, many are left wondering: Where are Brian Laundrie’s parents, Christopher and Roberta, now?
The Role of Brian Laundrie’s Parents in the Case
From the moment Brian returned home to Florida—without Gabby—the actions (or inactions) of Christopher and Roberta Laundrie became a point of heated discussion.
Brian arrived at his parents’ North Port home on September 1, 2021, driving the van registered in Gabby’s name. Ten days later, Gabby’s mother filed a missing persons report, and police knocked on the Laundries’ door. Their response? Silence. Instead of cooperating, they handed over their attorney’s contact information and refused to answer any questions.
As the search for Gabby intensified, Brian himself vanished. The Laundries claimed they didn’t know where their son was, though they only reported him missing days after he was last seen. Then, on October 20, 2021, after weeks of searching, it was Christopher and Roberta—not law enforcement—who discovered Brian’s remains in Florida’s Carlton Reserve. A notebook found near his body contained a confession to Gabby’s murder.
The Civil Lawsuit and Controversial Evidence
Gabby’s parents, Joseph Petito and Nichole Schmidt, filed a civil lawsuit in 2022, alleging that Christopher and Roberta not only knew about Gabby’s murder but also helped Brian cover it up and possibly planned to help him flee the country. While no criminal charges were ever filed against the Laundries, evidence presented in the case raised serious questions about their involvement.
One of the most shocking pieces of evidence was a letter from Roberta to Brian, which had the words “burn after reading” written on it. The letter included lines like: “If you need to dispose of a body, I will show up with a shovel and garbage bags.” Roberta later insisted the letter had nothing to do with Gabby and was written before the trip, but the timing and contents of the note left many unsettled.
The civil case was resolved in February 2024 through mediation, with the terms kept confidential. The Laundries’ attorney simply stated that they were “looking forward to putting this matter behind them.”
Where Are Christopher and Roberta Laundrie Now?
Despite the public scrutiny, Christopher and Roberta have managed to keep a low profile since the lawsuit’s resolution. They are believed to still be living in their North Port, Florida home—the same place Brian returned to before disappearing.
Unlike Gabby’s family, who have used their tragedy to advocate for domestic violence awareness, Christopher and Roberta have remained largely silent. They have not given any interviews, and their lawyer continues to handle any public statements on their behalf. Reports indicate they have largely withdrawn from public life, likely due to the immense backlash they faced throughout the investigation.
As true-crime enthusiasts and advocates for justice continue to revisit this case, one thing remains certain—Gabby Petito’s story is far from forgotten.
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