American Murder: Gabby Petito—Brian Laundrie’s fate and his Parents’ Current Whereabouts

Brian Laundrie became a central figure in the tragic case of Gabby Petito, his fiancée, who was found murdered in Wyoming in September 2021. Their cross-country road trip, documented on social media, ended in a nationwide search for Petito, followed by Laundrie’s disappearance and eventual death. With Netflix’s new docuseries American Murder: Gabby Petito revisiting the case, many are wondering what happened to Brian Laundrie and where his parents are today.

What Happened to Brian Laundrie?

Laundrie and Petito set out on a road trip in the summer of 2021, traveling in a van that Petito had purchased and remodeled for their journey. As an aspiring travel vlogger, she shared their experiences on YouTube and Instagram. However, their trip took a dark turn when Petito was reported missing on Sept. 11, 2021, after her family lost contact with her.

Laundrie had returned to his parents’ home in North Port, Florida, on Sept. 1—alone, driving Petito’s van. His parents, Christopher and Roberta Laundrie, refused to speak to law enforcement or Petito’s family, directing all questions to their lawyer. Just days later, on Sept. 17, Brian was reported missing.

On Sept. 19, Petito’s body was found in Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National Forest. A medical examiner determined she had been strangled to death, estimating that she had died three to four weeks before her remains were discovered.

The search for Laundrie led authorities to Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in Florida. On Oct. 20, his skeletal remains were found along with personal items, including a backpack and a notebook. 

His parents were present during the search that day. A forensic anthropologist later ruled that he had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. In his notebook, Laundrie admitted responsibility for Petito’s murder.

Where are Brian Laundrie’s Parents now?

Christopher and Roberta Laundrie have remained largely out of the public eye since their son’s death. Their silence and actions during the investigation drew widespread scrutiny, particularly after the Petito family accused them of helping Brian evade authorities.

According to CNN, Roberta wrote in the letter to her son, "I just want you to remember I will always Love you and I know you will always Love me. You are my boy. Nothing can make me stop loving you, nothing will or could ever divide us. If you're in jail I will bake a cake with a file in it. If you need to dispose of a body I will bring show up with a shovel and garbage bags." The word "bring" was reportedly crossed out in the letter.

However, Roberta alleged this was written before his and Gabby's trip. In 2022, Gabby Petito’s parents, Joseph Petito and Nichole Schmidt, filed a civil lawsuit against the Laundries, alleging they knew their son had killed Gabby and attempted to help him flee the country. The lawsuit was settled in February 2024, with the details remaining confidential.

While the Laundries have avoided public appearances, they were seen outside their home in North Port, Florida, in June 2024. Their son’s car was still visible in their driveway.

Brian’s sister, Cassie Laundrie, has distanced herself from her parents. A social media account believed to be hers has posted about grief and suicide prevention awareness. In February 2024, the account shared that she had been out of contact with her parents for almost two years.

Meanwhile, Gabby Petito’s family continues to honor her legacy through the Gabby Petito Foundation, which raises awareness about domestic violence and supports missing persons cases. They work closely with organizations like the Black and Missing Foundation and the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

Gabby’s father, Joe Petito, revealed in February 2025 that the family crushed the van she and Brian had used for their trip, saying they didn’t want it to become a painful reminder or a spectacle.

While the legal battles have concluded, the emotional wounds remain. Gabby’s mother, Nichole Schmidt, has forgiven Brian for his actions but has openly condemned Roberta Laundrie, calling her "pure evil" and accusing her of being the mastermind behind the family's deception.

The Netflix docuseries American Murder: Gabby Petito brings renewed attention to the case, offering a deeper look into the events leading up to Gabby’s murder and the aftermath that followed. The docuseries is available to stream exclusively on Netflix.