Latest news with #Laundrie
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Yahoo
Gabby Petito's Mom Reveals 'New Information' About Brian Laundrie's Family
Gabby Petito's mother, Nichole Schmidt, recently opened up about the investigation into her daughter's murder, sharing some new details about Brian Laundrie's family that came to light just weeks ago. While making an appearance on Tay and Taylor Lautner'sThe Squeeze podcast last week, Schmidt shared "new information" she learned about the Laundrie family just days prior, which she said now "keeps her up at night." 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 Over three years after her daughter's murder, Schmidt said she was given new information about the Laundrie family home from a source whose name was not shared. Schmidt was told that Laundrie's room at his parents' house had been "completely gutted and renovated" while he was still believed to be "missing." "None of his things were there," Schmidt revealed. "That very same week. Gabby was missing and cops were going to their house to try and get a scent from their dogs," Schmidt recalled, only learning recently that Laundrie's room was "completely empty." "Just gone," she said. According to Schmidt's intel, the unnamed source said there was "something wrong" with Laundrie's mother, Roberta, who was described as "clearly not mentally well." "And I'm add it to the list because I didn't even know about that," Schmidt told the Lautner's. The tragedy first occurred back in 2021, when 22-year-old Petito went missing during a cross-country road trip with Laundrie. He returned home to Florida in their van that September, but Petito never did. Petito's body was found near Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming later that month, with her death ruled as homicide by manual strangulation. Laundrie—who was later reported missing by his family—was found the following month in what appeared to be death by suicide. Authorities later determined he was responsible for Petito's death. According to Schmidt's account, the van Petito and Laundrie used to travel across the country was also "completely cleaned out" after Laundrie returned home from the trip without Petito. The mattress they slept on in the van was "never recovered," and "Gabby's stuff was packed away in a closet," according to her mom. Schmidt noted that it still "drives [her] crazy" to think authorities never talked to Laundrie directly about Petito's disappearance before he went missing, too. "That's the one thing that keeps me up at night sometimes," she added.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Yahoo
Readers sound off on gender-based violence, off-duty dancing and NIMBYism
Seattle: Gender neutrality benefits women in many areas: the office, home and under the law. However, as Netflix's 'American Murder: Gabby Petito' underscores, when domestic violence is suspected, it can cost a woman her life. During a now-publicized traffic stop in Moab, Utah, officers rushed to judgment, naming Petito's boyfriend and travel companion, Brian Laundrie, the aggressor. They separated the couple, sending Laundrie to a hotel for domestic violence victims while leaving Petito to sleep in her van. Domestic violence is not an equal-opportunity crime. Men can be victims, but men are far more often the aggressors. In 2023, the National Library of Medicine reported that 500,000 women versus 100,000 men experienced physical assault or rape by an intimate partner. It goes against my grain to call women the weaker sex. It's not how I was raised or raised my children. But gender differences, particularly physical strength, automatically place women in a subordinate position. Then there's the verbal gymnastics that put women on the defensive — like Petito, who felt compelled to explain her OCD and how she angered Laundrie by editing her videos. Women are conditioned to suppress their needs; men to expect it. Feminism challenges these notions, and rightly so. The officers likely thought they were avoiding gender bias. But domestic violence against women isn't a stereotype — it's a reality. Their neutrality was misplaced, and another young woman died because of it. The Gabby Petito Act, a 2024 Florida law requiring police to conduct a 12-question assessment in domestic violence incidents, is a start. But until society acknowledges women's disproportionate vulnerability, there will be more Gabbys, unheard — or worse, left for dead. Elise Buie Hempstead, L.I.: To Voicer Thomas Facchiano: Ya got that right. 'Conclave' was the best movie in years — great acting, should have been nominated for cinematography, great twist ending and tour de force performances. Loved it! Leslie Feldman Brooklyn: So, Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil has been arrested for exercising his right to free speech. That's the real reason he was grabbed out of his apartment. His green card was probably completely in order. This administration just doesn't want 'troublemakers' speaking up. What's next, are we going to arrest anyone who supports the IRA? Bob Gomez Manhattan: If Brad Lander, as he claims, doesn't know anyone who spends the amount of money Andrew Cuomo pays in his monthly Manhattan housing rent, then Lander doesn't know many NYC residents. Mayors need to know the full populace and work together to get things done. I know more than enough high-income renters who pay more than Cuomo. Either Lander is lying, or if he is telling the truth, he does not deserve to be mayor of New York City. Joey Dluzak West Columbia, S.C.: Why are politicians arguing about how to cut Medicare and Social Security instead of how to increase taxes on the richest 1%? Who wanted an Elon Musk to bring an army of reckless amateurs to gut government departments and kick out employees? Will they ever deliver a real accounting of how much money was saved and how much they charged? What is Russia receiving in exchange for America's abandonment of Ukraine? Why have male politicians become obsessed with controlling women's health choices? Will Canadian patience hold out until our president loses his urge to take over their country? Will Republicans ever get their mojo back and take a stand for democracy again? Can the Democrats find a workaround to halt the damage being done? Are there any answers out there, or just questions? Carol Robinson Bronx: With President Trump's attack on USAID and Medicaid plus his tariffs, I can hear the painful cries of veterans, of people with disabilities, people of color, the poor, red state voters and women. How many of these victims voted for the demented man in the Oval Office? Why are so many Trump voters dismayed by the executive orders that have negatively affected them? New Yorkers have received the most wrath from Trump, and you can do something about it. Vote out all Republican House members, they have betrayed their states. We can cut the legs off of this lame duck president by a landslide vote in 2026, taking back both houses of Congress. Gilbert M. Lane Manhattan: To Voicer Glenn Hayes: Your letter was excellent in encouraging readers and fellow Americans to take heed in protecting their economy in their own houses and being wise with personal spending. Unfortunately, most Americans aren't going to take heed, as we live in a society where most are programmed to consume. If you continue to live above your means, to spend crazy and be bamboozled by the government, it's not a Trump/Musk problem, it's a man/woman in the mirror problem. Omar Branch Richmond Hill: To Voicer Nat Saraceni: You believe that JD Vance never wore blue jeans. Yes he did, and they probably were some hand-me-downs with a lot of wear and tear on them. Do you not know anything about the way he grew up? Read his book 'Hillbilly Elegy' or watch the film before you open your misinformed mouth! Maybe Trump never wore blue jeans, but growing up poor in Appalachia, raised by his elderly grandmother and with an alcoholic, substance-abusing mother, Vance certainly did. He joined the Marine Corps, served in Afghanistan and worked his way through Ohio State University and Yale Law School. Your hatred blinds you to the truth. Joseph Napoleone Melville, L.I.: He disparaged the military service of American hero John McCain on camera. According to many witnesses, he referred to servicemen and women as 'suckers' and 'losers.' Now the man who faked bone spurs to get out of military service is having his administration ban patriotic Americans from serving in the military. Is there nothing he can do that will make you see the truth about this man? Dennis Joyce Tarrytown, N.Y.: Captain Bone Spurs is betraying our allies and everything that our great country has stood for in the last century. In the blink of an eye, we have shown the world that America can no longer be respected or trusted in their time of need. I just observed a quote from the draft-dodger stating that if America would ever require help, our NATO partners would decline. When we launched Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001, every single one of our NATO partners assisted, and most countries had soldiers killed, including 160 from our neighbor to the north. These brave Canadian soldiers stood side-by-side in protecting America's interests. Their memory is disrespected by someone who clearly failed history. But we'll never know, as you can be severely sued for obtaining those school records. Stephen Talenti Yonkers: I generally enjoy Voicer James McCaffrey's frequent contributions to the Voice of the People page, though they may be a tad hyperbolic and verbose at times. I just wish his contributions were around when I was trying to enhance my vocabulary for the Graduate Record Examination a few decades ago. Frank Brady Lake Ronkonkoma, L.I.: Re 'Cop's jiggle-joint-vid fan' (March 9): Why should Det. Melissa Mercado be disciplined? And why has she been removed from active investigations? Her record clearly shows she's an excellent police officer and a credit to the NYPD. Has an investigation ever taken place for policemen who regularly attend men's clubs? The article states the video went viral within the NYPD. Was it watched during working hours? Are the officers who watched it being disciplined? I am so sick and tired of having centuries of men's double-standard determinations of how women should act shoved down my throat. Joanne Lee Manhattan: What hypocrisy! Normal Siegel wants to end homelessness ('New York City can really end street homelessness,' op-ed, March 9) although he has been legal counsel to supporters of the Elizabeth Street Garden who are opposing affordable and low-income housing on that street. It seems that he advocates for housing unless it affects his friends and clients. Unfortunately, he isn't the only person who supports housing in the abstract but not when it can actually be built — the exact definition of NIMBYism. Alec Pruchnicki
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Yahoo
Netflix's Gabby Petito series lays bare hidden patterns of domestic violence
The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers free, confidential support: Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Text 'START' to 88788. Chat live at Gabby Petito caught the nation's interest in 2021 when she went missing while on a cross-country van trip with fiancé Brian Laundrie. After an extensive search, the 22-year-old woman's body was discovered near a camp ground in Wyoming, and a medical examiner ruled that she had been strangled. Opinion: Why progressive women are lonelier, unhappier than conservatives Laundrie, 23, also went missing, after he returned alone to his parents' home in Florida. His body, along with a written confession that he had killed Petito, was found in a park, and his death was ruled a suicide. Now, a new Netflix documentary series, "American Murder: Gabby Petito," uses text messages, social media videos and interviews with family members to weave a vital narrative about domestic violence. One thing the documentary does well is to dispel myths about abusers. It also highlights the primary element of abuse − coercive control. One myth is that abusers are always violent from the start. That might be true in some cases, but often it's the opposite. The abuser conceals red flags early in the relationship, but abusive language, domineering control and physical violence creep in over time. In the documentary, Laundrie initially seems like a regular guy. While I did sense that something was off about him early in the series, he doesn't appear to be violent. If anything, he comes across as quiet and insecure. He charms Petito, and the two engage in a whirlwind romance. It's common for abusers to quickly push a new relationship to the next level, so a victim is emotionally entangled before abusive behavior fully emerges. That doesn't mean that every romantic partnership that moves quickly involves abuse. But almost all abusive relationships move rapidly through the initial stages of getting to know someone as a person and as a romantic partner. Physical violence rarely happens early in a relationship, but elements of emotional abuse often begin right away, as we see in the documentary. Like most abusers, Laundrie shows several signs of controlling behavior, although they're subtle enough that I can see where Petito and her family missed them. The documentary shows text messages in which he complained about her work and the time she spent away from him, including with friends. He called her names in some messages and appeared jealous of her at times. But the two would quickly make up, and it's clear that Petito wanted to make the relationship work. That's another common factor in abusive relationships − the victim is emotionally invested enough to overlook the early signs of destructive behavior. Laundrie quickly starts to isolate Petito, which is another common tactic. While she was onboard with their decision to drive across the country in a converted van, the trip also worked to separate Petito from her support system. The couple also were often without cell service while traversing Utah, which created a ripe opportunity for an abuser to take advantage of his victim. I first paid attention to the Petito case when police bodycam video was released in 2021. Scenes from that video are shown in the documentary, but they're presented with text messages and journal entries that provide context about what had happened and would happen in the relationship before and after the encounter with police. With that context, the video, recorded less than a month before Petito was reported missing, is nauseating and shows a classic example of an abusive dynamic in a relationship. After receiving a 911 call about a potential domestic violence incident, police in Moab, Utah, confronted the couple. The caller described seeing Laundrie slap Petito, but the police focused on scratches on his face. Although Petito is crying, it's Laundrie who claimed that she slapped him. Police separated the couple to speak to each separately. When an officer asked Petito why she was crying, she blamed herself: "We've just been fighting this morning. Some personal issues." The couple told officers the same story − they were arguing and both became violent. But their body language told a different story. While Petito struggled to calm down, Laundrie was relaxed, almost charismatic, as he joked with officers. He seems chummy with the police, even though his fiancée was distraught. Incredibly, the police bought the story. 'You're the victim of a domestic assault,' one officer told Laundrie. They sent him to a hotel for the night for refuge, and Petito was left alone on the road in the van. The scene is infuriating, not only because of what happened to Petito but also because the police overlooked a common dynamic in abusive relationships. Abusers crave control, and they maintain it by turning the tables on their victims to keep them disoriented and confused. Abusers are able to gaslight their victims and others into thinking they are charming and kind. They're not abusive, their partners are. Abusers play the victim often and well, cycling from bully to supposed victim with ease. Abusers are often so good at this, they can fool therapists and police − the very people victims look to for help. Petito's story is heartbreaking, but it can help people understand just how common it is for women to suffer violence and abuse. The World Health Organization reports that globally, 1 in 3 women experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetimes. After her death, Petito's parents started the Gabby Petito Foundation to help people learn about the cycles and signs of abuse. The foundation offers training programs and other resources on domestic violence. Online resources that allow victims to search in private are key to helping them learn the signs of an abusive relationship and how to escape. Policy changes also can help. Thanks in part to the public support of Petito's parents, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox in 2023 signed a law that requires police responding to a report of domestic violence to ask specific questions to determine if a person is at risk of being hurt or killed by their partner. Every state should adopt such a measure. Yet, the best way to stop abusers is for women but especially men to stand in the gap, to force a spotlight on this insidious behavior and to demand that it stop. The Netflix documentary ends with scenes from the only video that Petito uploaded to her vlogging channel. She is shown running along a beach on a sunny day. She is young, pretty and carefree. Her whole life appears to be ahead of her. We know, of course, that her life would end far too soon. She became a victim of a violent abuser, another life cut short by the evil of domestic violence. Nicole Russell is a columnist at USA TODAY and a mother of four who lives in Texas. Contact her at nrussell@ and follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @russell_nm. Sign up for her weekly newsletter, The Right Track, here. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gabby Petito documentary reveals domestic abuser in action | Opinion
USA Today
03-03-2025
- USA Today
Gabby Petito series on Netflix shows vital lessons about domestic violence
Gabby Petito series on Netflix shows vital lessons about domestic violence | Opinion Docuseries 'American Murder: Gabby Petito' uses text messages, social media videos and interviews with family members to weave a heartbreaking narrative. Show Caption Hide Caption Netflix releases docuseries on Gabby Petito murder case Netflix's "American Murder: Gabby Petito" explores the tragic disappearance and death of Gabby after a road trip with fiancé Brian Laundrie. The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers free, confidential support: Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Text 'START' to 88788. Chat live at Gabby Petito caught the nation's interest in 2021 when she went missing while on a cross-country van trip with fiancé Brian Laundrie. After an extensive search, the 22-year-old woman's body was discovered near a camp ground in Wyoming, and a medical examiner ruled that she had been strangled. Laundrie, 23, also went missing, after he returned alone to his parents' home in Florida. His body, along with a written confession that he had killed Petito, was found in a park, and his death was ruled a suicide. Now, a new Netflix documentary series, "American Murder: Gabby Petito," uses text messages, social media videos and interviews with family members to weave a vital narrative about domestic violence. Domestic violence is about control One thing the documentary does well is to dispel myths about abusers. It also highlights the primary element of abuse − coercive control. One myth is that abusers are always violent from the start. That might be true in some cases, but often it's the opposite. The abuser conceals red flags early in the relationship, but abusive language, domineering control and physical violence creep in over time. In the documentary, Laundrie initially seems like a regular guy. While I did sense that something was off about him early in the series, he doesn't appear to be violent. If anything, he comes across as quiet and insecure. He charms Petito, and the two engage in a whirlwind romance. It's common for abusers to quickly push a new relationship to the next level, so a victim is emotionally entangled before abusive behavior fully emerges. That doesn't mean that every romantic partnership that moves quickly involves abuse. But almost all abusive relationships move rapidly through the initial stages of getting to know someone as a person and as a romantic partner. Physical violence rarely happens early in a relationship, but elements of emotional abuse often begin right away, as we see in the documentary. Opinion: The Blake Lively smear campaign exposes sordid level of public manipulation Like most abusers, Laundrie shows several signs of controlling behavior, although they're subtle enough that I can see where Petito and her family missed them. The documentary shows text messages in which he complained about her work and the time she spent away from him, including with friends. He called her names in some messages and appeared jealous of her at times. But the two would quickly make up, and it's clear that Petito wanted to make the relationship work. That's another common factor in abusive relationships − the victim is emotionally invested enough to overlook the early signs of destructive behavior. Laundrie quickly starts to isolate Petito, which is another common tactic. While she was onboard with their decision to drive across the country in a converted van, the trip also worked to separate Petito from her support system. The couple also were often without cell service while traversing Utah, which created a ripe opportunity for an abuser to take advantage of his victim. Abusers play the victim, and even professionals miss it I first paid attention to the Petito case when police bodycam video was released in 2021. Scenes from that video are shown in the documentary, but they're presented with text messages and journal entries that provide context about what had happened and would happen in the relationship before and after the encounter with police. With that context, the video, recorded less than a month before Petito was reported missing, is nauseating and shows a classic example of an abusive dynamic in a relationship. Opinion: 'It Ends With Us' shows some realities of domestic violence. Here's what it got wrong. After receiving a 911 call about a potential domestic violence incident, police in Moab, Utah, confronted the couple. The caller described seeing Laundrie slap Petito, but the police focused on scratches on his face. Although Petito is crying, it's Laundrie who claimed that she slapped him. Police separated the couple to speak to each separately. When an officer asked Petito why she was crying, she blamed herself: "We've just been fighting this morning. Some personal issues." The couple told officers the same story − they were arguing and both became violent. But their body language told a different story. While Petito struggled to calm down, Laundrie was relaxed, almost charismatic, as he joked with officers. He seems chummy with the police, even though his fiancée was distraught. Incredibly, the police bought the story. 'You're the victim of a domestic assault,' one officer told Laundrie. They sent him to a hotel for the night for refuge, and Petito was left alone on the road in the van. The scene is infuriating, not only because of what happened to Petito but also because the police overlooked a common dynamic in abusive relationships. Abusers crave control, and they maintain it by turning the tables on their victims to keep them disoriented and confused. Abusers are able to gaslight their victims and others into thinking they are charming and kind. They're not abusive, their partners are. Abusers play the victim often and well, cycling from bully to supposed victim with ease. Abusers are often so good at this, they can fool therapists and police − the very people victims look to for help. Resources are available to help victims escape domestic violence Petito's story is heartbreaking, but it can help people understand just how common it is for women to suffer violence and abuse. The World Health Organization reports that globally, 1 in 3 women experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetimes. After her death, Petito's parents started the Gabby Petito Foundation to help people learn about the cycles and signs of abuse. The foundation offers training programs and other resources on domestic violence. Online resources that allow victims to search in private are key to helping them learn the signs of an abusive relationship and how to escape. Policy changes also can help. Thanks in part to the public support of Petito's parents, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox in 2023 signed a law that requires police responding to a report of domestic violence to ask specific questions to determine if a person is at risk of being hurt or killed by their partner. Every state should adopt such a measure. Yet, the best way to stop abusers is for women but especially men to stand in the gap, to force a spotlight on this insidious behavior and to demand that it stop. The Netflix documentary ends with scenes from the only video that Petito uploaded to her vlogging channel. She is shown running along a beach on a sunny day. She is young, pretty and carefree. Her whole life appears to be ahead of her. We know, of course, that her life would end far too soon. She became a victim of a violent abuser, another life cut short by the evil of domestic violence. Nicole Russell is a columnist at USA TODAY and a mother of four who lives in Texas. Contact her at nrussell@ and follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @russell_nm. Sign up for her weekly newsletter, The Right Track, here.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Yahoo
Brian Laundrie-Gabby Petito docuseries highlights payment to lawyer connected to bin Laden
Gabby Petito's parents cast shade on Brian Laundrie's family in a new docuseries that reveals additional details about the timing of their daughter's murder at her fiancé's hands in the wilderness of Wyoming, especially the allegation that they shelled out $25,000 to a prominent attorney while professing their ignorance of the crime. "You're going to throw $25,000 of your hard-earned cash out on a lawyer from f---ing Wyoming, and you're telling me you didn't ask where she was?" Joseph Petito says in Netflix's "American Murder: Gabby Petito." The payment came three days after Laundrie called his parents and less than a week after Petito was last seen alive. "That's some bulls---," he added, "I'll tell you that right now." Brian Laundrie's Sister Estranged From Family Amid Explosive New Docuseries Her stepfather, Jim Schmidt, echoed his concerns. Read On The Fox News App "I don't think the amount of money they paid their attorney would be for anything less than to represent somebody for murder," he told the documentarians. The lawyer in question is Tom Fleener, an Army veteran and former JAG lawyer whose clients included the Guantánamo Bay detainee Ali al Bahlul, a former bodyguard to the 9/11 terrorist Usama bin Laden, who Navy SEALs killed in 2011. Fleener has previously declined to discuss the Laundrie case with Fox News Digital. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment for this story. Gabby Petito Told Her Ex She Was Scared To Leave Brian Laundrie But Wanted To Just Before Murder: New Doc The Laundrie family attorney, Steve Bertolino, collected $25,000 from his clients and used it to retain Fleener's law firm. He said he has not collected any payment from the Laundries for his own legal role in the saga, which landed him in the middle of a now-settled lawsuit brought by Petito's parents. Gabby Petito Urged Brian Laundrie To 'Stop Crying' In Love Letter To Her Killer Released By Fbi 8/27: Gabby Petito last seen alive in Jackson, Wyoming 8/29: Brian Laundrie tells his parents Petito is "gone" in "frantic" phone call 8/30: Laundrie sends phony texts from Petito's phone to himself and to her mother 9/1: Laundrie arrives at his parents' Florida house, driving Petito's van 9/2: Bertolino enters a fee agreement with Wyoming law firm on Laundrie's behalf 9/6-7: Laundrie family goes camping at Fort DeSoto Park 9/11: Petito reported missing 9/13: Laundrie evades FBI surveillance, leaves his parents' home and takes his own life 9/19: Petito's remains are discovered near their campsite outside Jackson Follow The Fox True Crime Team On X Bertolino arranged for a local defense attorney after Brian Laundrie made a panicked phone call to his father from Wyoming, repeatedly saying "Gabby's gone," according to court documents. Sign Up To Get The True Crime Newsletter Christopher Laundrie denied knowledge of Petito's death at the time, and he said through his lawyer that his son hung up before sharing further details. "Brian hung up on Chris. I said, 'When Brian calls you back, give him my number, and you tell him to call me. You do not talk to him,'" Bertolino told Fox News Digital when depositions in the civil suit became public. Cassie Laundrie Unleashes After Gabby Petito Homicide Both Christopher and Roberta Laundrie conceded that they had concerns for Petito's welfare after the call but denied having knowledge of the murder. Brian Laundrie invoked his right to remain silent but ultimately left behind a suicide note and confession. Brian's sister, Cassie Laundrie, had also been expected to testify in the case, but her interview was canceled before the sides reached a settlement. Pat Reilly, an attorney for Petito's parents, said he called it off "because she had no information related to the issues of the litigation." GET REAL-TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE True Crime Hub Cassie Laundrie has denied knowledge of her parents' conversations with her brother and recently alleged that a police detective, whose voice can be overheard on bodycam video, mischaracterized their conversation. Since the case grabbed national headlines in 2021, Petito's parents have become advocates for missing persons and domestic violence victims. If you or someone you know is suffering from domestic violence, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233 (SAFE).Original article source: Brian Laundrie-Gabby Petito docuseries highlights payment to lawyer connected to bin Laden
