Before Brian Laundrie’s body was found, authorities raided his family home and discovered a trove of disturbing evidence. According to The New York Post, Laundrie’s belongings included drawings of skulls, scribbles that read “Trust no one” and “Kill,” and what seemed like diary entries detailing his plans to end his life.
“About a year ago I went in to a type of mania where I was smashing holes in the wall with my head … pouring gasoline on myself to burn alive,” it read. “A pull of the trigger and all my problems will be over.” What’s more, the FBI also found various firearms, weapons, and bullets from his possessions. “In retrospect, it tells us that Brian dealt with mental health issues and was clearly a narcissist and manipulator capable of violence,” Brian Stewart, the family lawyer of the Petitos, told the outlet. “We know that he’s a manipulator who hid his intentions.”
In November 2022, Gabby Petito’s family won a $3 million wrongful death lawsuit against Laundrie’s estate, as reported by NBC News. However, Nicole Schmidt, Petito’s mother, still harbors no forgiveness for Laundrie’s parents, particularly his mother, Roberta, who was accused of stonewalling authorities during the investigation. “I speak for myself here when I say Brian, I forgive you … I refuse to let your despicable act define the rest of my life,” she said at the CrimeCon 2024, surprising everyone (via People). But she was far less forgiving towards Roberta. “You are the dark. You are the sociopath that everyone fears,” Schmidt added. “You do not deserve forgiveness. You deserve to be forgotten and dehumanized. You epitomize pure evil.”
