Gabby Petito's Father Hints At Troubled Relationship With Fiancé In His Emotional Eulogy

Oct 01, 2021

Gabby Petito, a 22-year-old Instagram blogger, was declared missing on Sept. 11 while traveling across the U.S. in a van with her fiancé, 23-year-old Brian Laundrie. Two weeks later, authorities discovered her body in northwestern Wyoming, classifying her death as a homicide.

Since then, the Petito case has sparked a manhunt for Laundrie, who remains missing.

On Sept. 24, Gabby Petito’s family, friends and community members from Long Island, New York, where the public memorial service was held, gathered to mourn the loss of the 22-year-old as the search for Laundrie continues into its second week.

“I want you to take a look at these pictures, and I want you to be inspired by Gabby," said Gabby Petito’s father, Joe Petito, at the funeral. "If there’s a trip you guys want to take, take it now. Do it now while you have the time.”

Gabby’s father also hinted at his daughter’s troubled relationship with Laundrie, adding, “​​If there is a relationship that you’re in that might not be the best thing for you, leave it now."

Since investigators have looked into Gabby Petito’s disappearance, authorities have released police body camera footage from Aug. 12 of Gabby Petito shortly before her disappearance.

Police were called after a witness reported a domestic violence dispute.

"We drove by and the gentleman was slapping the girl," the caller said, according to CNN. "Then we stopped. They ran up and down the sidewalk. He proceeded to hit her, hopped in the car and they drove off."

CNN further reports that while “Laundrie has not been explicitly connected to Petito's death,” there is a federal warrant for his arrest in connection with illegally using another person’s debit card on Aug. 30 and Sept. 1.

Earlier this week, the FBI searched Laundrie’s home in North Port, Florida, arriving with a large paper bag and climbing into a camper van on the property, CNN reports.

"The FBI is at the Laundrie home today to collect some personal items belonging to Brian that will assist the canines in their search for Brian," said Steven Bertolino, the Laundries’ attorney. "There is nothing more to this."

Gabby Petito’s story has caused a media frenzy, as outlets from across the world cover the 22-year-old’s case. Users on social media — where Gabby Petito has more than 1.2 million followers — have also started entire accounts dedicated to her search and are using the hashtag #JusticeForGabby.

That outpouring of public support was on display at Gabby Petito’s funeral.

According to WFLA News, hundreds attended Gabby Petito’s public memorial service on Long Island, where she grew up and was born. But instead of flowers, the Petito family asked that people make donations to the Gabby Petito Foundation.

“Gabby is the most amazing person I’ve ever met … I’m asking you guys to be inspired by the way she treated people, all people,” Joe Petito said during his eulogy. 

“She genuinely loved people … When you leave here today, be inspired by what she brought to the table … I couldn’t be more proud, as a father.”

With the help of dogs, drones and all-terrain vehicles, authorities are continuing their investigation of and search for Laundrie in Florida’s Carlton Reserve, a 24,000-acre county park, according to the BBC. Laundrie remains the only person of interest in the Petito case.

What do you think of Joe Petito’s eulogy? Have you been following the Petito case? Let us know — and be sure to pass this story on to others.