Brian Laundrie Family Lawyer Added To Lawsuit By Gabby Petito's Parents

Gabby Petito’s parents have scored yet another legal win!

The lawyer who formerly represented Brian Laundrie’s parents, Chris and Roberta Laundrie, can be added to a lawsuit filed by Joseph Petito and Nichole Schmidt.

A Florida judge recently approved a request by Petito and Schmidt to add Steven Bertolino to their lawsuit against the Laundries.

The lawsuit was filed by Gabby’s parents earlier this year and it alleges the Laundries knew more about her death and that their son, Brian, killed her.

The lawsuit also alleges the Laundries knew where her body was hidden, but refused to speak and that they were helping Brian arrange a way to flee the country.

Bertolino’s September 14, 2021, statement on behalf of the Laundries is a vital piece of evidence at the heart of Petito and Schmidt’s lawsuit.

The statement he shared expressed hope that Gabby would be found alive and reunited with her parents.

The statement was made five days before Gabby’s body was found in Grand Teton National Park.

Petito and Schmidt’s lawyer, Pat Reilly, told WFLA, “It is believed that at the time the September 14, 2021 statement was issued, the Laundries and Steven Bertolino knew that Gabby Petito was deceased and that under those circumstances, the statement was insensitive, cold-hearted, and outrageous.”

Gabby’s parents “are happy” that Judge Danielle Brewer approved their request to amend their lawsuit to add Bertolino.

Per WFLA’s report, Reilly said, “They’ve been through a lot. They’ve had to listen to a lot of statements made by Mr Bertolino on behalf of the family, statements that were sometimes hurtful to them. And so, they believe by bringing Mr Bertolino in, they ultimately will get justice for what has occurred.”

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Reilly said, "The decision was not unexpected. This incident, like all others, will work out in the end. One way or the other."

Laundrie admitted to killing his fiancée in a series of notebook entries.

The murderer also sent text messages between his and Petito’s cellphone in the days after she was strangled to death.

This was his attempt “to deceive law enforcement by giving the impression Ms. Petito was still alive,” the FBI Denver said in its final investigative update.

“All logical investigative steps have been concluded in this case,” said FBI Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider. “The investigation did not identify any other individuals other than Brian Laundrie directly involved in the tragic death of Gabby Petito. The FBI’s primary focus throughout the investigation was to bring justice to Gabby and her family. The public’s role in helping us in this endeavor was invaluable as the investigation was covered in the media around the world. On behalf of the FBI, I want to express my deepest appreciation to the public for the thousands of tips that were provided during the investigation, and to our local, state and federal law enforcement partners for their work throughout the investigation.”

The FBI opened its investigation into the disappearance of Gabby on September 12, 2021, after her mother reported her missing on September 11th.

On September 19, 2021, the remains of Gabby were located at Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area in Wyoming.

According to the investigative report, “Ms. Petito was found approximately three weeks after her last known communication.”

The Teton County Coroner’s Office concluded that Gabby died of “blunt-force injuries to the head and neck, with manual strangulation.”