Brian Laundrie Told Parents 'Gabby's Gone' on Phone. His Dad Claims He Didn't Know What Son Was Talking About

Mar. 15, 2025

Gabby Petito, Brian Laundrie

Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie

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Chris continued: “It was — it was all mumbled and I still don’t remember everything that happened, but, you know, he said he needed help and to get an attorney. And I told him, ‘Yeah, I’ll help you. I’ll call Steven Bertolino, and just stay put.’ And then I asked him again, and he just said, ‘Just help me.’ And I said, ‘Yeah, I’m going to, so stay calm. Stay put.’ And he hung up.”

Brian Laundrie.Instagram

Brian Laundrie

Chris recalled his son being “very, very nervous and very scattered” on the phone, while his parents offered to put him in touch with Betolino, the family’s lawyer.

Petito’s parents are seeking at least $100,000 in damages for the mental anguish they suffered due to the alleged deceit of the Laundries, according to WFLA.

Joe Petito told lawyers during his deposition last October that there’s no amount of money that would make the family willing to settle the lawsuit.

“I want to make them hurt as much as they hurt us,” Joe said during the deposition. “There’s not amount of money that I would settle for, not a dime.”

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go tothehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

source: people.com