- Brian Laundrie’s parents are being sued by the family of YouTuber Erin Petito for her death.
- His parents’ lawyer published copies of the suicide notes on June 24.
Brian Laundrie wrote, “I ended her life,” and also, “I thought it was merciful, that it is what she wanted, but I see now all the mistakes I made. I panicked, I was in shock.”
The 23-year-old noted in his notes that Petito was hurt while crossing a brook. She had a “bump on her forehead,” was “freezing cold,” and “begging for an end to her pain.”
Read more: Gabby Petito Family Claims Brian Laundrie’s Parents Knew Where Body Was
“From the moment I decided, took away her pain, I knew I couldn’t go on without her.” said Laundrie.
Patrick Reilly, a lawyer representing the Petito family, told People that Laundrie’s claim that the death was humane and an accident is “nonsense.”
Petito, 22, was found dead in Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National Forest eight days after her parents reported her missing and 18 days after Laundrie returned from the couple’s cross-country van road trip to his parents’ Florida home. Her death was ruled strangling homicide.
In mid-September, Laundrie’s parents reported him missing after the FBI and police designated him a person of interest in Petito’s disappearance. His remains were found in October at Florida’s Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park. He shot himself, authorities said.
In a statement attached to the notebook scans, Laundries’ parents’ lawyer said, “Today the Petito family attorney, Patrick Reilly, and myself met with the FBI in Tampa to sort through and take possession of the personal items that belonged to Gabby and Brian. This was a previously agreed upon exchange to enable both the Petitos and the Laundries to receive what belonged to their respective children. As part of this return of property in FBI custody I was given Brian’s notebook.” This was a previously agreed-upon exchange to give the Petitos and Laundries their children’s belongings. Brian’s notebook was returned to me by the FBI.
Bertolino stated, “Although I have chosen to release the letter as a matter of transparency I will not be commenting further as there are still proceedings pending in Court. These are Brian’s words.”
Bertolino stated, “Although I have chosen to release the letter as a matter of transparency I will not be commenting further as there are still proceedings pending in Court. These are Brian’s words.”
Petito’s parents Joseph Petito and Nichole Schmidt sued Laundrie’s parents in March, saying they knew their son killed Petito before her corpse was found, kept his whereabouts “hidden” after reporting him missing, and “making arrangements for him to leave the country.”
Read more: Parents of Brian Laundrie will not attend the Florida hearing to decide the case’s fate
The Laundries’ attorney told the media that family had “no responsibility to speak to law enforcement.” They’ve filed a move to dismiss the civil complaint, and a court will decide future steps within weeks.
Petito’s mother sued Laundrie’s estate curator for wrongful death in May. Unset trial date.
The Laundries’ attorney told the media that the wrongful death lawsuit was “completely expected” and “will most likely not be defended, and the Petitos will have gotten nothing more than a piece of paper that tells them what everyone already knows”
