Newly released bodycam video shows Brian Laundrie's parents obstructing police efforts to locate missing Gabby Petito while her van is parked in their driveway.
On September 11, 2021, as the search for missing Gabby Petito intensified, Florida police visited the home of her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, in North Port. The chilling bodycam footage captured their encounter, revealing a startling lack of cooperation from Laundrie's parents.
When officers knocked on the door, Brian's father, Christopher Laundrie, answered in a sleeveless shirt, accompanied by his wife, Roberta. The officer informed them that they were searching for Gabby, but Christopher bluntly refused to engage in any conversation.
Brian Laundrie's Parents Refuse to Cooperate with Police in Missing Gabby Petito Case, Bodycam Video Shows
"I'm not talking to anybody," he declared.
The officer persisted, explaining that he had a detective on the phone from Suffolk County, New York, who was investigating Petito's disappearance. However, Christopher remained adamant in his refusal.
Brian Laundrie's Parents Refuse to Cooperate with Police in Missing Gabby Petito Case, Bodycam Video Shows
"No," he replied, shaking his head. "We have an attorney... That's all I want to say."
He agreed to provide the attorney's phone number to the police but refused to elaborate on their son or Petito's whereabouts. The officers noticed Gabby's white Ford van parked in the driveway and questioned its ownership.
Brian Laundrie's Parents Refuse to Cooperate with Police in Missing Gabby Petito Case, Bodycam Video Shows
"Is this her vehicle, her van?" the officer asked.
"It's both of theirs," Christopher responded.
Brian Laundrie's Parents Refuse to Cooperate with Police in Missing Gabby Petito Case, Bodycam Video Shows
Meanwhile, the detective in New York relayed that Petito's mother had not heard from her daughter since August 27. Moreover, Brian's sister had provided conflicting information, stating that he had abandoned her in Wyoming.
"His sister told me another story that he left her out there and flew home, and yet you're seeing the van in their driveway, and they won't say where she is," the detective said.
Brian Laundrie's Parents Refuse to Cooperate with Police in Missing Gabby Petito Case, Bodycam Video Shows
North Port police recorded the encounter, which was later made public through public records requests. Gabby's mother, Nichole Schmidt, expressed her anguish upon seeing the footage.
"This nightmare never ends," Schmidt told Fox News Digital.
Brian Laundrie's Parents Refuse to Cooperate with Police in Missing Gabby Petito Case, Bodycam Video Shows
After the initial encounter, the officers deliberated the situation and considered treating Petito's van as a crime scene. However, a North Port sergeant approached the Laundries again and requested their assistance in assuring Petito's parents that she was okay. They flatly refused.
"If that's what you're saying you gotta do, you gotta do it," Christopher said. "Right now, I'm not speaking to you anymore."
Brian Laundrie's Parents Refuse to Cooperate with Police in Missing Gabby Petito Case, Bodycam Video Shows
North Port police ultimately towed Petito's van from the Laundrie driveway for further examination. Brian himself also declined to speak with police and subsequently disappeared, later committing suicide in a nearby park.
His remains were eventually discovered in October 2021, along with a drybag containing a handwritten confession and personal belongings. The FBI later revealed that Laundrie admitted to ending Petito's life, claiming it was an act of mercy.
Brian Laundrie's Parents Refuse to Cooperate with Police in Missing Gabby Petito Case, Bodycam Video Shows
Gabby's tragic death and the subsequent investigation have had a profound impact on her family. Her parents have established a foundation in her honor, dedicated to assisting families of missing persons and advocating against domestic violence. They have worked tirelessly to raise awareness and promote legislation aimed at protecting victims from abuse.
The bodycam footage serves as a stark reminder of the challenges and frustrations faced by law enforcement in cases of missing persons. The obstruction faced by police in the Laundrie case underscores the importance of cooperation and the need for accountability in ensuring the safety and well-being of society's most vulnerable members.
Brian Laundrie's Parents Refuse to Cooperate with Police in Missing Gabby Petito Case, Bodycam Video Shows
