The heartbreaking loss of Gabby Petito continues to profoundly affect her family, nearly four years after her tragic death. Gabby’s journey as a YouTuber, documenting her life on the road with her fiancé Brian Laundrie, came to an abrupt and devastating end when her body was discovered in September 2021 at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.
In an effort to honor her memory and shed light on the heartbreaking circumstances of her final days, Netflix released the documentary American Murder: Gabby Petito on February 17, 2025. The film provides an intimate look at Gabby’s life and the pain her family has endured since her passing, especially from the perspective of her parents.
Joe Petito, Gabby’s father, shared his ongoing sorrow in a June 2024 interview with PEOPLE, explaining that he doesn’t believe in closure after losing a child. He expressed, “You’re never going to get closure over the loss of a child… There will always be a hole in your heart that’s never going away.” Gabby’s mother, Nichole Schmidt, echoed similar sentiments, telling PEOPLE, “We’re never going to feel like we have justice,” adding, “It’s been three years now since the last time I heard her voice or saw her, and that’s really hard.”
Since Gabby’s death, her parents have relentlessly fought for justice. They filed several lawsuits, including one against the Moab police for their handling of a traffic stop in August 2021. Body camera footage from that stop showed Gabby visibly upset, and officers allegedly overlooked signs of domestic violence. In November 2022, they filed a $50 million wrongful death lawsuit, asserting that had the police intervened differently, Gabby might still be alive. However, the case was dismissed in November 2024, though her parents remain hopeful for future legal actions.
Gabby’s parents also took legal action against Brian Laundrie’s parents, Christopher and Roberta, accusing them of knowing about Gabby’s death and the location of her body. The families reached a settlement in February 2024, with Gabby’s family attorney expressing that the settlement would allow them to “move on and continue to honor the legacy of our beautiful daughter, Gabby.”
Despite the ongoing grief, Gabby’s family has found strength in one another. Joe revealed that he, his wife Tara, Nichole, and her husband Jim have grown closer through their shared pain and journey toward healing. In addition to their legal battles, Gabby’s family remains dedicated to preserving her memory. Through the release of the Netflix documentary and other efforts, they aim to inspire change, raise awareness about domestic violence, and honor Gabby’s legacy.