Gabby Petito Letter to Brian Laundrie: Explore What Did the Letter Reveal?

A letter written by Gabby Petito to Brian Laundrie has been recently released in a collection of FBI documents, revealing tensions in their relationship before their ill-fated road trip in 2021. The letter is part of a 366-page record of the FBI’s investigation into Petito’s death, highlighting the struggles faced by the couple.

What did the letter reveal?

In the undated letter, Petito asked Laundrie to stop calling her names. She expressed her love for him and emphasized their partnership. “Brian, you know how much I love you. So (and I am writing this with love) just stop crying and stop calling me names because we are a team and I am here with you,” Petito wrote. She also mentioned her frustration and pain at seeing him suffer, saying, “I’m not trying to be negative but I am frustrated that I can’t do more.”

The letter also mentioned how they planned to work on the van they were using for their trip. This detail suggests the letter was dated sometime before their departure in the summer of 2021. Petito’s body was later found in Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National Forest, where the coroner found she had died three to four weeks before she was found.

How did the investigation unfold?

The FBI documents, including Petito’s letter, were released in response to Freedom of Information Act requests. The records provide a detailed account of the FBI’s efforts to trace the couple’s movements around the time of Petito’s disappearance. It includes witness interviews and details of surveillance footage from gas stations and stores across the US.

The documents contain numerous photographs of items recovered by authorities during the investigation. These items were seized following a search warrant executed on September 20, 2021 in North Port, Florida, where Laundrie returned without Petito. The records show how carefully the FBI worked to piece together the events leading up to Petito’s tragic death.

What was the public and legal response?

The public reaction to the released documents has been one of renewed grief and anger. Steven Bertolino, a lawyer for Laundrie’s parents, commented on the letter, acknowledging that both Petito and Laundrie had their own issues. “This is a tragedy that I’ve always said has affected two families,” Bertolino said. He noted the alleged “imbalance” in public perception, saying it has greatly affected his clients.

Petito’s parents have not yet commented on the letter. Their ongoing lawsuit against the Moab Police Department argues that officers failed to recognize signs of domestic abuse during an encounter with the couple in Moab, Utah. The incident, captured on police body cameras, occurred just two weeks before Petito’s death.

What happened during the Moab incident?

Police officers in Moab acted on a call from a witness who saw Laundrie hit Petito. Body camera footage shows officers speaking to both Petito and Laundrie. Petito admitted to attacking Laundrie first and officers let the couple go after they agreed to spend the night separately.

Petito’s parents’ lawsuit alleges that officers misidentified Petito as the main attacker, despite the injuries to her face. They argue that Petito’s attempts to take responsibility for the altercation were a clear sign that she was a victim of domestic violence. The lawsuit aims to honor Petito’s legacy by pushing for accountability and systemic changes to protect victims of domestic violence.

What is the response of the city of Moab?

The city of Moab defended its officers, saying they acted with kindness and empathy. They argue that no one could have predicted the tragedy that unfolded weeks later. “Attorneys for the Petito family suggest that somehow our officers could see the future based on this single interaction,” the city said in a statement, stressing that they would defend themselves vigorously against the lawsuit.

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