The Gabby Petito case continues. A year and a half after the death of the American influencer, a trial is still ongoing. Indeed, the parents of the 21-year-old young woman have started a lawsuit against the parents of Brian Laundrie, the murderer of their daughter. They indeed accuse Roberta and Christopher Laundrie of having helped their son and of having hidden the fact that they knew that Gabby Petito was dead.
And on February 14, a new element appeared in the investigation. A mysterious letter was discovered in Brian Laundrie’s backpack, next to his body after he committed suicide. Written by Roberta Laundrie, the missive gives instructions for getting rid of a body. According to Patrick Reilly, the Petito family attorney, her letter referred to “helping him out of jail, getting a shovel and burying a body.” Finally on the envelope it was also written the words “Burning after reading”.
Roberta Laundrie: “The words of the letter were written so many months ago”
A few weeks after this discovery, Roberta Laudrie came out of silence and gave her version of the facts on this letter. According to Fox News, she initially admitted writing the letter but that what she says inside is taken from books or references she shared with her son. This letter would have been intended to calm their relations, while they were going through a difficult phase. According to the mother of Brian Laundrie, the text “contains sentences which make it possible to describe the depth of the love of a mother for her son”, specifying that certain passages come in particular from children’s books.
“There were other phrases used in the letter, which are not found in the books I shared with Brian as a child. However, these phrases are quite common in our circle of friends and family,” also explained Roberta Laundrie, before adding: “although I use words that seem to be related to Brian’s actions and the fact that he took Gabby’s life, I never would have imagined that the events that transpired months later between Brian and Gabby would mirror the words of my letter.” And to conclude: “The words of the letter could never have been linked to this tragic situation, because they were written so many months before. My words to Brian were intended to convey my love and my support to my son through a light and quirky reminder that my love for him would not be weakened and could not be shaken by the miles of separation we were soon to face.” The case is due to go to trial in August 2023.
Brian Laundrie’s mother’s baffling explanation © via Reuters
