Gabby Petito’s family to file wrongful death lawsuit

Gabby Petito’s family announced a $50 million wrongful death lawsuit against Utah police on Monday, alleging that cops failed to recognize their daughter was in a life-threatening situation last year when officers investigated a fight between her and her boyfriend.

The notice of claim alleges that officers in the tourist town of Moab missed signs that the 22-year-old was a victim of domestic violence at the hands of her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, when they encountered the couple on Aug. 12, 2021.

Body cam footage from that day showed a visibly upset Petito speaking to officers on the side of the road.

After speaking with both Petito and Laundrie, the officers allowed the couple to leave after requiring them to spend a night apart.

The fight happened just weeks before Laundrie killed Petito as they continued on a cross-country van trip.

“If the officers had been properly trained and followed the law, Gabby would still be alive today,” attorney James McConkie said in a statement announcing the notice of claim.

Notices of claims are required before people can file a lawsuit against a government entity.

Petito vanished a month after the traffic stop with Moab cops and her strangled body was found on Sept. 19 near Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.

Her 23-year-old boyfriend later killed himself in his native Florida after being named the sole person of interest in her slaying.

The notice of claim against Moab cops comes after Petito’s family filed a civil lawsuit in Florida against Laundrie’s parents, alleging that they knew their son had killed her.