On August 8, Gabby Petito’s parents announced plans to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the Moab City Police Department for “their negligent failure to first understand the law and enforce it,” said attorney James McConkie (via WFLA). “And second, for the wrongful death of their daughter. In this regard, this morning we have filed a notice of claim which is the first step in initiating future litigation.”
The family, through their attorney, went on to explain that the suit was not intended to target specific officers, but to “hold our institutions accountable for their failures.” Furthermore, the motion suggests that responding officers were not properly trained, leaving them unable to properly assist Petito during the dispute.
The news of the impending lawsuit comes nearly a week after Petito’s parents donated $100,000 to the National Domestic Violence Hotline. “No family should feel the pain that we’ve felt every day since we lost Gabby,” Petito’s mother, Nichole Schmidt, said (via Yahoo). “Survivors who are able to reach out should connect with an advocate quickly.” Petito’s family has vowed to continue the work of the Gabby Petito Foundation, which raises awareness for victims of domestic violence.
