Brian Laundrie’s lawyer offers settlement to Petito family
A lawyer for Brian Laundrie and his parents in Gabby Petito’s murder case reportedly made a settlement offer to the slain woman’s mom and dad ahead of a civil trial scheduled for next year.
Court papers obtained by WFLA show attorney Steven Bertolino recently filed the proposal to Joe Petito and Nichole Schmidt, Gabby’s parents.
The terms of the deal were not disclosed, and a lawyer representing Joe Petito and Schmidt declined to comment to the outlet.
Gabby’s grieving parents are suing Brian Laundrie’s parents — Chris and Robert Laundrie — in civil court in Florida, alleging they were aware of Gabby’s killing but chose to remain silent about the case.
The suit argues their inaction resulted in their severe emotional distress and that they deserve compensation.
![Gabby Petito's parents are pictured](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/NYPICHPDPICT000018782720.jpg?w=1024)
“Settlement discussions and proposals are part of the process with every civil litigation,” Bertolino — who was added as a co-defendant in the civil suit — told WFLA. “This case is no different.”
Depositions began last month and a jury trial is set for May 2024.
Petito, 22, was traveling cross country with Laundrie, 23, when she suddenly vanished in August 2021.
He returned to his Florida home without her, leading police to name him as a person of interest in the case.
Petito’s strangled corpse was found in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park the following month.
![Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie are pictured](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/NYPICHPDPICT000018817954.jpg?w=1024)
Weeks later, Laundrie was found dead in the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in Florida.
Investigators determined that he killed himself and said he confessed to his girlfriend’s slaying in a letter.
Petito’s parents also sued the Moab City Police Department in Utah, arguing the agency “deprived Gabby of her safety and ultimately her life.”
Moab officers pulled the couple over for speeding and found Petito bloodied and crying after a fight. The cops separated them for the night, but took no further action.
Petito was killed days later.
![Brian Laundrie is pictured during a police stop in Utah](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/NYPICHPDPICT000018855549.jpg?w=1024)
Her family marked the two-year anniversary of her passing earlier this week.
“Please shine a light in the darkness for all those who have been taken by the ones they loved, and for survivors of domestic violence!” Schmidt posted to X.