You likely recall the Gabby Petito case. It took the country by storm… She was the girl, living the “van life” with her boyfriend Brian, and documenting their journey across the country for YouTube and Instagram. Along the way, things took an ugly turn, and Brian ended up murdering Gabby. There was always suspicion that Brian’s parents knew what was going on, even as cops were searching for a so-called “missing Brian,” who was actually hiding out in a massive Florida park. Well, as you also probably know, Brian committed suicide, and when his backpack was recovered, police found a letter in there. It was from Brian’s mom. The letter was in an envelope with the words “burn after reading” on it… and what was written in the letter was very damning.
By the way, Brian didn’t burn it. Whoops.
And now, the family of Gabby Petito who are suing the Laundrie family, want that letter as evidence.
Newser reported that the parents of Gabby Petito want the parents of the man accused of killing her to turn over a letter that came with the instructions, “Burn after reading.” The letter was written by Brian Laundrie’s mother, Roberta, to her son, and it was found in his backpack after he took his own life, reports CNN. The Petitos are suing the Laundries, and one of the Petitos’ lawyers referenced the letter in a court hearing Tuesday. The letter talked about “helping him get out of prison, getting a shovel, and some other things,” said Patrick Reilly. More specifically, Roberta Laundrie writes that she “would bring a shovel to help bury a body,” per court documents cited by Fox13 in Tampa. The words “burn after reading” were on the envelope of the undated letter, said Reilly.
The implication from the Petito legal team is that Roberta Laundrie wrote to her son after he killed Gabby but before he took his own life. However, the Laundries dispute that. “This document pre-dates Brian and Gabby’s trip so its creation really doesn’t have any relation necessarily to the unfortunate events that unfolded thereafter,” said defense attorney P. Matthew Luka. “I know that some of the wording that was used in the letter is unfortunate and might suggest that it has some connection but it doesn’t.” However, the Petitos don’t believe that, and it sounds like the judge is skeptical, too.
“I don’t see how it wouldn’t be relevant to the action,” said Judge Danielle Brewer in Sarasota County Circuit Court. The Petito team will now formally request the letter be turned over as part of the discovery process, per CNN. Its language is “damning,” said Reilly, per Scripps News. The Petitos are suing the Laundries for emotional distress, alleging they knew Gabby was dead and where she was buried while they were desperately searching for her. The case is scheduled to go to trial in August 2023.
Look, I am not a mother (yet), but I understand the concept of wanting to help your child. However, when your child commits murder, you’re not “helping” them by covering up. You’re being a dirtbag, just like they are.
And to think, all of this was going on, while another family was in agony.
Very sickening, if you ask me.