- Brian Laundrie is the son of Roberta and Christopher Petito
- Laundrie murdered his fiancée Gabby Petito while on a cross-country road trip
- He was never arrested as he was found dead before a case could be built, his parents were thought to know what he did
Netflix’s new true crime documentary on the Gabby Petito murder is gripping viewers. The case received widespread coverage in August 2021 when it happened and afterwards. Streaming services have tried to cover the case themselves but this docuseries has Petito’s family, friends, and law enforcement in. There is also a focus on Petito’s fiancé, Brian Laundrie, and his parents, Roberta and Christopher. Laundrie’s parents were ridiculed for how they acted during and after the investigation, but we will get into that.
Read More: What Happened To Brian Laundrie?
Not to spoil the series, but Petito went missing in August 2021 and her body was found on 19 September. Suspicion arose that Laundrie had killed her, and after developments arose that he went missing there was an almost month-long search for him. On 20 October, his body was found, and his death was ruled a suicide. In a notebook found by his body, he confessed to killing Petito.
While many people suspected that Laundrie had killed her, there was no trial to determine otherwise, only his written confession. However, that didn’t stop Laundries’s parents from facing ridicule. So why did people not like the way they behaved, and were they charged in the Gabby Petito case? Read on to find out.
Who are Brian Laundrie’s parents, Roberta and Christopher?
The Laundries lived in Florida and had two children, Cassie and Brian Laundrie, who was born on 17 November 1997. They gained widespread fame for their behavior during the Gabby Petito disappearance. When contacted by the Petitos, the documentary alleges that they were unresponsive.
According to Netflix’s timeline of events, on 10 September Petito’s mother Nichole contacted Laundrie’s mother and asked about her daughter’s whereabouts, but received no response. Her message, which should have appeared blue according to iPhone’s iMessage function, instead turned green—suggesting that Roberta had blocked her. On 11 September, Petito’s parents called the US Park Police and the North Port Police in Florida where the Laundries live.
The police visited the Laundrie home, where Laundrie’s parents confirmed he was home, but that he wouldn’t talk. They told the authorities they should reach out to their attorney. Suspicious much?
The Laundrie’s missing report and Brian’s death
A few days later on 17 September, the Laundries claimed that their son had gone missing after hiking in Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park. After Petito’s body was found on 19 September, a widespread search for Laundrie was done in the park. His body was found that October.
During the investigation after Petito’s death, cell phone records revealed that Laundrie had long phone conversations with his mother on 28 and 29 August. It is also said between then and mid-September, Laundrie was staying at his parent’s house.
This has led to the public and law enforcement questioning if his parents knew about Gabby Petito’s murder and their son’s whereabouts.
The Gabby Petito family lawsuit
In March 2022, Petito’s parents filed a civil lawsuit against Laundrie’s parents. The scandalous lawsuit alleged that the Laundries knew their son had killed Petito and helped him avoid authorities during Petito’s disappearance. They also alleged in the suit that the Laundrie’s had caused them emotional stress with their actions.
A letter was used in evidence, written by Laundrie’s mother which said, “If you’re in jail I will bake a cake and put a file in it. If you need to dispose of a body, I will show up with a shovel and garbage bags.” Written on the envelope were the words, “burn after reading”. Yikes.
The Laundries tried to have the letter removed from evidence, but in the Gabby Petito case, Petito’s parents said that “reasonable inference it [was] written after Gabby Petito was murdered”. At the time, Laundrie’s mother denied that the letter was written after Petito’s murder. She claimed it was written before the couple set out on their trip.
The case was settled in February 2024 with a $3 million settlement awarded to Petito’s parents.
Were Roberta and Christopher ever charged in Gabby Petito case?
The Laundries have never been charged formally in the Gabby Petito case. Other than the civil lawsuit filed by Petito’s parents, no formal accusations or charges have been brought against them.
However, Petito’s mother has spoken out against Laundrie’s mother. At CrimeCon 2024, she allegedly said: “As for you, Roberta, and I call you out individually because you are evidently the mastermind that shattered your family and mine with your evil ways. I see no empathy in your eyes.
“No remorse in your heart and no willingness to take responsibility for your actions. You are the dark. You are the sociopath that everyone fears. The one who appears so innocent and kind, but harbours darkness within your soul.”
Wow.
Where are the Laundries now?
It seems like the Laundrie’s haven’t left their home state of Florida. Reports say after the Gabby Petito case, they haven’t left their home in Northport, as photos were taken of them in the summer of 2024 there. However, no recent photos have been taken of them there.
American Murder: Gabby Petito is available to stream on Netflix now.
If you or someone you know has experienced relationship abuse, information and resources are available at wannatalkaboutit.com.
If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
