UTAH

Family of Gabby Petito files wrongful death lawsuit against Moab Police

Nov 3, 2022, 10:30 AM | Updated: Dec 30, 2022, 11:19 am

Gabby Petito is pictured in a car, her family just filed a lawsuit against moab police...

Body camera video provided by the Moab Police Department shows Gabby Petito talking to a police officer after the van she was riding in was pulled over near Arches National Park on Aug. 12, 2021. (Moab Police Department)

(Moab Police Department)

MOAB, Utah — Nearly two months after announcing their intent to file, the family of Gabby Petito has filed a lawsuit against the Moab City Police Department. And in response, Moab officials claim the police department was not responsible for Petito’s death.

Petito’s parents, Joseph Petito and Nichole Schmidt, filed a wrongful death lawsuit that criticized the Moab police‘s investigation into the reported domestic violence against Petito.

Moab police officers stopped Petito and her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, in August 2021. Weeks after that interaction, authorities found Petito murdered in Wyoming. And weeks after finding Petito’s remains, authorities found Laundrie’s remains in Florida. Laundrie reportedly died by suicide.

Investigators also found a notebook from Laundrie, which according to the FBI contained writing from Laundrie taking responsibility for Petito’s murder.

A draft of the lawsuit provided by the family’s lawyers claimed Petito would still be alive if the Moab police officers who spoke to her and Laundrie had “competently and properly” investigated claims of Laundrie’s abuse.

“This case is a vehicle for systemic change and a reckoning about how the police enforce the state’s domestic abuse laws,” a draft of the lawsuit reads. 

A press release from the family’s lawyers also accused one of the officers involved in the case of domestic violence. An unnamed witness claimed Officer Eric Pratt himself is a domestic abuser who has abused his professional position. And the lawsuit claimed the officer was biased against Petito from the beginning.

“To combat domestic violence, each of us has to do our part to call out abusers and know how to identify systemic problems that enable abuse, even when that is difficult to do,” said one of the family’s lawyers James W. McConkie in the press release.

The lawsuit seeks $50 million in damages.

Moab’s response to Petito lawsuit

The city of Moab issued a statement Wednesday night responding to the lawsuit before the family officially announced its filing Thursday. In its statement, the city said it would fight the lawsuit.

The city said that while Petito’s murder was a tragedy, its officers are not responsible for her death.

“In truth, on Aug. 12, no one could have predicted the tragedy that would occur weeks later and hundreds of miles away, and the City of Moab will ardently defend against this lawsuit,” the city wrote in its statement.

If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship there is help available here in Utah and nationwide.

  • YWCA’s Women in Jeopardy program: 801-537-8600
  • Utah statewide Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-897-LINK (5465) and udvc.org
  • 24-hour Salt Lake victim advocate hotline: 801-580-7969
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233

Related: Gabby Petito timeline: Her summer trip, disappearance, and murder

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Utah

Traffic moves on I-15 in Salt Lake City on Thursday, May 18, 2023. UDOT says we will see heavy traf...

Britt Johnson

Easter weekend and spring break will bring heavy traffic this weekend, UDOT predicts

Spring Break and Easter could team up this weekend to create some heavy traffic. 

36 minutes ago

pets...

Curt Gresseth

Don’t surrender pets to a shelter. Send in a pro to reverse bad behavior, says Utah trainer

An expert discusses controlling the unwanted behavior of pets.

2 hours ago

Exclusive video obtained by KSL NewsRadio shows Salt Lake hit-and-run in the Avenues neighborhood. ...

Eric Cabrera

WATCH: Exclusive video shows woman survives Salt Lake City hit and run

KSL NewsRadio has exclusively obtained footage of a Salt Lake City hit-and-run, where a woman was struck while out for a run in the Avenues.

2 hours ago

(Eric Cabrera, KSL NewsRadio)...

Simone Seikaly

Possible carjacking in West Valley City leads to car fire, ramp closure

The UHP said a car was following another car eastbound on the 201 and moved onto the ramp toward NB I-15 when one car rolled and caught fire.

5 hours ago

(Loren Richardson via KSL.com)...

Simone Seikaly

Brighton resident charged with aggravated assault for confronting snowboarder

According to court documents, and based on witness accounts, Brighton resident Keith Robert Stebbings threatened a snowboarder with a shotgun.

6 hours ago

Four cats relaxing on chairs and a cat tree at Fawn's Family Rescue...

Heather Peterson

Fawn’s Family Rescue provides lounge to relax with adoptable cats

Fawn's Family Rescue recently opened its doors in Bountiful. The new cat lounge provides a comfortable way for people to hang out with feline friends.

9 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Family of Gabby Petito files wrongful death lawsuit against Moab Police