Gabby Petito’s mother, Nicole Schmid,t made some powerful declarations to Brian Laundrie and his mother, Roberta, at CrimeCon 2024 on Friday.
During her session at the Nashville convention, Schmidt forgave Brian Laundrie, saying,“I speak for myself where when I say Brian, I forgive you.”
“I needed to release myself from the chains of anger and bitterness,” she continued. “And I refuse to let your despicable act define the rest of my life.”
Schmidt had a different message for Brian’s mother Roberta Laudrie according to People.
“As for you, Roberta — and I call you out individually because you are evidently the mastermind that shattered your family and mind with your evil ways — I see no empathy in your eyes, no remorse in your heart and no willingness to take responsibility for your actions.
“You are the dark. You are the sociopath that everyone fears. The one who appears so innocent and kind, but harbors darkness within your soul. You do not deserve forgiveness. You deserve to be forgotten and dehumanized. You epitomize pure evil.”
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Gabby Petito’s family filed a civil lawsuit in Florida against the Laundries and their attorney, Steve Bertolino, claiming that they were aware of Gabby’s death but chose to remain silent about it.
Court documents indicate that Laundrie called his parents after Petito was killed during a 2021 cross-country trip. Laundrie was “extremely frantic,” according to the documents, and pleaded with his parents to help him.
“After a long day of mediation, a confidential agreement has been reached, to which all parties reluctantly agreed in order to avoid further legal expenses and prolonged personal conflict,” Petito attorney, Pat Reilly, said in a statement.
At the end of Schmidt’s speech, she spoke of hope and love, paying tribute to her daughter.
“[Gabby] was and still is, a bright light in this world, full of love, compassion, and boundless potential.”
“We will continue to honor her memory, to cherish the moments we shared, and to fight tirelessly for justice and change in her name,” she said.
“May Gabby’s legacy serve as a beacon of hope in the world desperately in need of light, hope for a future where such senseless violence and injustice are eradicated from our society.”
“I implore you all, live by these simple words directly from Gabby: Just be a nicer person.”
[Feature Photo: CORRECTS SPELLING OF FIRST NAME TO NICHOLE INSTEAD OF NICOLE IN NYJM101-112 – Nichole Schmidt, mother of Gabby Petito, whose death on a cross-country trip has sparked a manhunt for her boyfriend Brian Laundrie, wipes tears from her eyes during a news conference, Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, in Bohemia, N.Y. Schmidt, along with Petito’s father and two stepparents, were recently tattooed in memory of their child with the words, “Let it be.” (AP Photo/John Minchillo)]
