Gabby Petito's Family Reaches Agreement On Belongings: Attorney

Patchogue NY

20 January, 2022

3:27 PM

Description

TAMPA, FL — The Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed that the family of Gabby Petito was in Florida on Thursday and met with investigators for a briefing, according to a report by Fox Digital News. North Port Police Department spokesperson Josh Taylor told the outlet that he was "unaware" of any developments in the case to lead to it being closed, adding, "We knew they would be meeting after the first of the year. I would think we would be briefed, if, in fact, something was wrapping up." The news came as an attorney representing the family of Petito's fiancé, Brian Laundrie, says the two families have reached an agreement on how the couple's property will be distributed. In a statement to Patch, Steven Bertolino, an attorney for Laundrie's parents, Christopher and Roberta Laundrie, said an agreement in principle, with respect to the distribution of property between the families, has been reached." He declined to comment further. Bertolino told Fox News that he had been working with Petito's family attorney, Rick Stafford, "to come to an agreement on the distribution of property to be released from law enforcement" and the two compiled a written agreement detailing "how the property" would be distributed. Stafford could not be immediately reached for comment. The 23-year-old Long Islander disappeared in August on a cross-country trip with Laundrie, who returned to his parents' home in Florida in her van, but without her. After a massive interstate search, involving multiple law enforcement agencies, Petito was found strangled to death near Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming on Sept. 19 — eight days after she was reported missing by her mother. She was confirmed dead on Sept. 21. Laundrie, who had refused to speak with police after Petito was reported missing, drove to a Florida preserve where investigators believe he shot himself in the head. His remains were found about one month later. Petito's mother, Nichole Schmidt, filed a claim in Decemeber seeking the slain Long Islander's belongings — going on the record in the legal process as the family of Laundrie seeks access to his $20,000 estate, the US Sun first reported. Bertolino described the filing of the estate as "a formality." Related Stories: 'Unintentional Mistakes' By PD In Gabby Petito Utah Fight: ReportLaundries To Give Gabby Petito's Belongings To Family: AttorneyGabby Petito Utah Probe Info To Be Released Soon: ReportGabby Petito's Family's Poignant Messages Of Hope On ChristmasNBC's Peacock TV Streams Documentary On Gabby Petito Case FridayGabby Petito, Brian Laundrie On 2021 Top Search Term List: GoogleParents File To Access Brian Laundrie's Estate: CourtLaundrie Likely Died 2 Days After Petito Reported Missing: ReportGabby Petito Foundation Plans Scholarships On Long IslandGabby Petito's Family Won't Speak On Laundrie Death Yet: AttorneyBrian Laundrie's Remains Identified Using Dental Records: FBIBe Inspired': Gabby Petito's Dad At Long Island Memorial Service'Not Just Gabby Petito' Case Deserves Media Attention: DadSuffolk Detective Who Opened Gabby Petito's Case An 'Angel': Mom'Be Inspired': Gabby Petito's Dad At Long Island Memorial ServiceGabby Petito Remembered As Free Spirit 'Who Loved Living Life'Human Remains Confirmed As Gabby Petito; Death Ruled A Homicide This is a developing story. Check back for updates.