In an emotional revelation, Gabby Petito’s parents have opened up about their decision to destroy the van she had traveled in with her fiancé Brian Laundrie, prior to her 2021 murder.

Joe Petito, Gabby’s father, spoke to NewsNation and explained that they chose to crush the van out of fear it could end up in the wrong hands.

“We didn’t want the van to be out there and someone owning it and then saying, ‘Here’s the van that Gabby was…'” Joe shared.

The van, a white Ford Transit Connect, had been discovered abandoned shortly after Gabby went missing.

Despite the vehicle being linked to the tragic events, Joe and his wife Tara Petito kept a few sentimental items from it—a gasoline cap and a sticker Gabby had picked up during a visit to the Great Smoky Mountains.

Gabby’s Road Trip and the Start of a Nightmare

Gabby, at just 22 years old, had set off on a cross-country road trip with her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, in July 2021, leaving from Blue Point, New York.

The couple’s journey was part of Gabby’s plan to document their “van life” experience and build a social media following.

But things took a dark turn on August 12, when police in Moab, Utah, responded to a domestic dispute between the couple.

The body camera footage from that encounter, which captured Gabby visibly distraught and crying while Laundrie remained calm, became the final glimpse of their troubled relationship.

Gabby was never seen again, though Laundrie returned home to Florida on September 1, 2021.

Authorities later believed that Laundrie strangled Gabby on August 27 in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park, where her remains were found a month later.

Laundrie’s Escape and Death

As Gabby’s death became a major news story, a nationwide manhunt for Laundrie ensued.

Speculation arose that he might be hiding on the Appalachian Trail, but it turned out that Laundrie had instead fled to the Carlton Reserve in Florida, where he ultimately took his own life. His remains were found in October 2021.

The Laundrie family’s role in the case gained attention when it was revealed they had hired a criminal defense attorney shortly after Gabby’s disappearance.

This raised questions about whether they had been complicit in Laundrie’s actions.

Gabby’s family filed multiple lawsuits, including one against Laundrie’s estate, which resulted in a $3 million payout, and another lawsuit that was settled in February 2024.

A third lawsuit, accusing the Moab Police Department of contributing to Gabby’s death, was dismissed in November 2024.

Disturbing Revelations About Laundrie’s Calls

Court filings later revealed that Laundrie had allegedly called his parents 20 times after Gabby’s death, confessing that he had killed her and that he needed legal help.

The first call came just two days after her death, nearly two weeks before Gabby was officially reported missing.

Gabby’s Parents Share Their Raw Emotions

In a recent interview, Joe and Tara Petito were asked if they had ever received an apology from Brian Laundrie’s parents, Christopher and Roberta Laundrie.

Their response was swift and clear: “No. We’re never gonna get that,” Joe said.

Tara added that, at this point, she no longer wanted an apology.

“I would love for them to be charged with something, I really, really would love that,” she said.

“Do I think that’s happening now? Unfortunately, no.”

Meanwhile, Gabby’s mother, Nicole Schmidt, shared her own emotional journey.

Despite the overwhelming pain of losing her daughter, Nicole said she has forgiven Brian Laundrie for his actions.

“I have forgiven Brian, and I know that’s what Gabby would have wanted,” she explained. “I don’t think that everybody has to forgive.

They can when they’re ready, or they might never be ready, but for me personally, I needed to forgive to let that anger go.”

Netflix Documentary Shines a New Light on Gabby’s Story

The heartbreaking case continues to capture the public’s attention.

Just days ago, Netflix released a documentary about Gabby’s life and death, titled American Murder: Gabby Petito.

The three-episode series, which premiered on February 17, has already taken the top spot on Netflix’s Top 10 TV Shows list, reaching millions of viewers worldwide.

The release has reignited interest in the case, bringing new attention to the Petito family’s ongoing fight for justice.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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