Gabby Petito’s mum responds to Laundrie lawyer as cause of death revealed

Gabby Petito’s mum has slammed the lawyer representing the Laundrie family, after her daughter’s cause of death was revealed.

Gabby Petito’s mum has taken aim at the Laundrie family lawyer, hours after her 22-year-old’s daughter’s cause of death was revealed.

Steven Bertolino, the lawyer that has been representing the Laundrie family since 23-year-old Brian returned home alone to Florida on September 1, offered his condolences to the Petito family.

However, in his statement, Mr Bertolino also called for calm.

“Gabby Petito’s death at such a young age is a tragedy,” Mr Bertolino told WFLA.

“While Brian Laundrie is currently charged with the unauthorised use of a debit card belonging to Gabby, Brian is only considered a person of interest in relation to Gabby Petito’s demise.

“At this time Brian is still missing and when he is located we will address the pending fraud charge against him.”

Gabby’s mum Nichole Schmidt rejected Mr Bertolino’s statement.

“His words are garbage. Keep talking,” she said.

Nichole Schmidt and stepfather James Schmidt appealing for information before she was found. Picture: CBS New York

Brian Laundrie and Gabby Petito. Picture: Instagram

The horrific circumstances around Ms Petito’s death were released this morning by a Wyoming coroner.

After a desperate ground and air search in the US state, the FBI discovered Ms Petito’s remains at a campground in the Bridger-Teton National Forest on September 19.

Teton County coroner Dr Brent Blue identified the remains in the days after the discovery, and quickly ruled Ms Petito’s death a homicide in his preliminary autopsy report.

Dr Blue released more details about her death today, a decision some commentators labelled “unexpected”.

The coroner revealed Ms Petito died from “strangulation” and the “manner is homicide.”

“After a detailed investigation by our forensic pathologists, our anthropologists and local law enforcements, the Teton County Coroner’s Office filed the following verdict in the death of Gabrielle Petito,” Dr Blue said.

“We hereby find the cause and manner of death to be … the cause death by strangulation, and the manner is homicide.”

Brian Laundrie is a person of interest in the death of his girlfriend. Picture: Instagram

Dr Blue said no other information about the autopsy will be released, however they are estimating Ms Petito died three to four weeks before the body was found in an outdoor environment.

Ms Petito and her boyfriend Mr Laundrie were on a cross-country road trip throughout the US when the couple stopped at Bridger-Teton National Park in Wyoming in September.

Ms Petito’s body was found at a campground in the national park on September 19, five days after Mr Laundrie, who remains the sole person of interest in the case, vanished from his parents’ home in North Port, Florida.

The relationship between the Petito and Laundrie families has soured, as Ms Petito’s parents beg for information on their daughter.

At a press conference earlier this month, the Petito family’s lawyer Richard Stafford was scathing in condemning Brian’s parents Chris and Roberta Laundrie for their lack of co-operation.

“The Laundries did not help us find Gabby. They are sure not going to help us find Brian.”

Taking to Twitter on October 3, Gabby’s mum Nichole Schmidt urged Mr Laundrie to come forward.

Mama bear is getting angry!
Turn yourself in! 🤬@josephpetito agrees. #justiceforgabby#americasdaughter

— Nichole Schmidt (@Nikischmidt927) October 2, 2021

Ms Schmidt reported Gabby missing on September 11, 13 days after she last heard from her daughter.

Ms Petito’s parents and step-parents are united in their calls for the 22-year-old’s killer to be found.

Ms Petito’s stepfather Jim Schmidt, father Joe Petito, mother Nichole Schmidt and stepmother Tara Petito thanked law enforcement earlier this month and people around the world for their support and helping find Gabby’s body.

Each family member showed off new tattoos, which they said were designed by Petito. The tattoos read “Let it Be” and “Believe.”

Originally published as Gabby Petito’s mum responds to Laundrie lawyer as cause of death revealed