Amid the search for Petito, Laundrie, who was named person of interest in the case, disappeared. The 23-year-old’s remains were found weeks later in a Florida park alongside a notebook nearby that confessed to Petito’s murder.
In the years since Petito’s death, her mom Nichole Schmidt, has shared insight into her grief journey, including expressing forgiveness to her daughter’s killer.
“I speak for myself here when I say Brian, I forgive you,” Schmidt said at CrimeCon 2024 May 31. “I needed to release myself from the chains of anger and bitterness, and I refuse to let your despicable act define the rest of my life.”
However, the New York native also offered a scathing rebuke toward his mother, Roberta Laundrie. Following Petito’s death, her family had accused the Laundrie family of trying to help their son cover up Petito’s murder in a since-settled civil lawsuit. Roberta, and her husband Christopher Laundrie denied this claim.
“As for you, Roberta, and I call you out individually because you are evidently the mastermind that shattered your family and mine with your evil ways,” Schmidt added. “I see no empathy in your eyes.”
