Gabby Petito’s family has once again spoken out to urge wanted man Brian Laundrie and his parents to come forward and spill the truth.
In their Dr. Phil interview, the 22-year-old murdered van-life girl’s parents and step-parents shared their grief as they blasted the Laundrie family for refusing to cooperate with the authorities.
Slamming the 23-year-old fugitive who has been missing since September 17 was Gabby’s dad, Joe Petito, who said Brian and his family are cowards.
“Anyone who lived in that house is a coward. They don’t know how to stand up for their actions,” Joe told Phil McGraw while the parents of Brian remain holed up in their North Port home.
The upset father went on to suggest he was sure that his daughter’s fiancé is still alive because “he is too cowardly to kill himself.”
“It’s almost like living in a soap opera. Like, it’s just a bad show. We all want to protect our children, but it’s also more important to teach your children right from wrong,” James Schmidt, Gabby’s stepfather, added.
During the emotional interview, Mr. Petito and Gabby’s mom, Nicole Schmidt, also revealed that they tried to reach out to the Laundries after not hearing back from their daughter during the early days of her disappearance.
“We actually thought that they were both missing at that time,” Joe said before confirming that the Laundries failed to call them back or respond via text.
“A normal parent when you text someone that [you] are going to call the cops because you can’t find your child, they would reply. No response. Nothing.”
As grieving mother Nicole then admitted, she had a feeling that young Gabby was gone after her fiancé returned from their cross-country trip alone in her car.
“I didn’t want to admit it, but I felt it at the night I found out the van was in Florida, on [September 11]. I felt in my heart that she was gone,” she expressed.
The entire family then urged Brian Laundrie to turn himself in after Dr. Phil asked them if they had a message for the missing fugitive.
“If you truly loved her, you should turn yourself in,” Tara Petito, Gabby’s stepmom, said.
“You’re only making it worse. For us and for yourself and your family. Let us have some closure. Let us move on and be able to remember Gabby for all the wonderful memories we had with her. Turn yourself in,” Mr. Schmidt added.
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