Copy of burn letter from Brian Laundrie's mother turned over to Petito's parents
SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — A letter Brian Laundrie's mother supposedly wrote to her son is now at the center of a civil case in Florida, according to a report from CNN.
Attorney's for both sides argued over whether the letter was relevant in Gabby Petito's parents' lawsuit against the Laundries.
It reportedly includes references to getting a "shovel and burying a body" and the envelope it was in said "burn after reading."
CNN reported an attorney representing the Petitos in a Florida circuit court said he'd seen the "burn after reading" letter from Roberta Laundrie, which was allegedly found among Brian Laundrie's belongings when his body was discovered.
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In addition to referencing shovels and burying a body, Roberta Laundrie also reportedly wrote about getting her son out of prison, Petito attorney Patrick Reilly said.
He requested the letter, which he said was in the FBI's possession, and said he wanted to ask Roberta Laundrie about it in a deposition.
The Laundrie Family's attorney confirmed the letter did, in fact, exist, according to CNN, though he claimed it was written before Brian Laundrie and Gabby Petito ever left on their trip.
"... It's creation really doesn't have any relation necessarily to the unfortunate events that unfolded thereafter," said Laundrie attorney P. Matthew Luka, reportedly telling the court that the wording was "unfortunate" and "might suggest that it has some connection" to Gabby Petito's death.
"But it doesn't," he said, according to CNN's report.
Reilly said the letter wasn't dated, though, and it should be up to a jury to decide whether or not it's relevant.
Brian Laundrie, who admitted in a suicide letter that he was responsible for Gabby Petito's death, was found deceased in a Florida nature reserve after Petito's remains were discovered in the Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming.
Reilly told CNN he’d consult Petito’s parents and make a decision as to whether they’d share it with the press.
