Gabby Petito's dad and stepmom have opened up about what they decided to do with the van she and Brian Laundrie were traveling around in when she was murdered.
In July 2021, 22-year-old travel vlogger Gabby Petito and her fiancé Brian Laundrie set off in a van traveling across the United States.
However, in August, Gabby went missing and later found dead. It was later discovered that Laundrie had killed her, with him admitting responsibility in a letter he wrote before taking his own life.
Netflix released documentary American Murder: Gabby Petito earlier this month which sees Gabby's loved ones speak out.
In an interview with NewsNation, Gabby's mom Nichole opened up further about coming to terms with what's happened.
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She explained she's 'forgiven Brian' as knew that's 'what Gabby would have wanted' and was 'moving forward' so she could 'move on'.
"That is my personal experience. I don’t think everyone has to forgive," she added. "They can when they are ready if they are ever ready. But for me personally, I needed to forgive to let that anchor go."
Gabby's father Joe and stepmother Tara alleged they've never received an apology from Laundrie's parents - both of whom have denied any wrongdoing - Tara noting: "We are never going to get that. At this point, I don't want one. It doesn’t help us.
"I would love for them to be charged with something. I really, really would love that. Do I think that is happening now? Unfortunately no. So I really want to erase that name out of my memory."
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However, one thing Gabby's family has been able to control is what happened to the van she and Laundrie were traveling in around the US, Joe telling NewsNation they ultimately decided to 'crush' it.
He explained: "We didn’t want the van to be out there and someone owning the van and then saying, ‘Here’s the van that Gabby was…’ So, we had it crushed."
Before crushing it, he and Gabby's stepmother, Tara, did take some items from the van, such as a commemorative sticker from the Great Smoky Mountains and a gasoline cap.
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Tara showed NewsNation they've placed such items in a display cabinet in their home.
"My son really liked this sticker - Gabby really liked her stickers - this was on the van, so we cut this out," she added.
American Murder: Gabby Petito is currently available to watch on Netflix.
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If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].
Topics: Crime, Gabby Petito, Parenting, True crime, US News, Netflix
Poppy Bilderbeck