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BRIAN Laundrie told his friend that he and fiance Gabby Petito had a once-in-a-lifetime trip days after he strangled her and returned home alone, a bombshell report has revealed.
He reportedly caught up with his friend Ben over text while 22-year-old Gabby’s body was left hidden in Teton National Forest.
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“Trip was good,” Brian, 23, told his friend on September 4, according to text messages seen by The Messenger.
“Gab and I had fun. Tired now, gonna sleep for a week.”
Brian had just returned home to Florida without Gabby when he reportedly sent the messages.
They had been sharing idyllic videos of their so-called van life during a four-month excursion across the US.
Brian discusses the vlogs with his friend saying, “We made a lot of content.”
“It was once in a lifetime,” the messages read.
On September 19, Gabby’s remains were discovered following an anxious weeks-long search.
An autopsy found that she had been strangled to death with her body left to succumb to the heartless elements.
Police had been trying to get in touch with Brian since she was reported missing, but could not track him down.
On October 20, his body was finally discovered with a single gunshot wound in a swampy nature preserve not far from his parent’s home in Florida.
His nearby journal contained the eerie murder confessions that police sought, and Gabby’s family finally had answers.
The murder has sparked a slew of lawsuits at the hands of her parents Nichole Schmidt and Joe Petito.
The heartbroken mom and dad have accused Utah police of failing to help their emotionally distressed daughter during a stop that was captured on bodycam footage.
They also have been awarded $3million from Brian’s parents Christopher and Roberta after winning a wrongful death lawsuit.
The Laundries are still fighting another emotional distress suit filed by the Petitos which alleges that they knew about the killing, but did nothing to notify police.
Earlier this month, it was revealed that their team has filed for a settlement, but a resolution has not been met.
No criminal charges have been filed against Christopher and Roberta.
Two years after her death, Gabby’s parents still fight to keep her memory alive through the Gabby Petito Foundation.
The organization spreads awareness for domestic abuse by turning her tragedy into purpose.
On 9/11, Gabby’s mom shared a heartbreaking tribute on the same day that she reported her daughter missing.
The post reads: “9/11 is a day we will never forget. Please #bekind to one another today, #stronger together.”
“For me, it’s also the day I walked into a police station 2 years ago, and was finally able to report our daughter missing.
“Share #Missing posters please. #TogetherWeCan.”
The comments were full of support for the grieving mother.
“We are all with you in spirit. Gabby’s light remains,” one commented.
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