On 2nd Anniv. Gabby Petito's Parents Urge Public To 'Shine A Light' For Victims

BLUE POINT, NY — The parents of Gabby Petito are asking the public to shine a light for domestic violence victims in her honor on Sunday, the two-year anniversary of her slaying, according to a Facebook event.

Noting that the 23-year-old Petito was likely slain on Aug. 27, the group said it was "at the hands of the person whom she trusted and loved," referencing her fiance, Brian Laundrie, who authorities say, left a suicide note saying that he strangled her out of mercy because she was in so much pain from a fall in a ravine.

"We ask that on this day, you shine a light, any kind of light wherever you are to honor all those who have been murdered at the hands of their intimate partner," the said, adding that it could be "a candle, lantern, string lights or anything that brightens up the darkness."

"This represents breaking the silence and shedding light on the reality of domestic abuse," the group said.

Petito had been traveling the U.S. in a van with Laundrie when she lost contact with her family.

Her body was later found near Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Her disappearance was highly publicized and drew attention to domestic partner abuse.

Just weeks before Petito had gone missing, she and Laundrie were involved in a physical fight in Moab, UT. Police bodycam video of the incident shows Petito constantly crying and selfie photos show blood on her face.

After her death, Peitito's parents, her father Joseph Petito, mother, Nichole Schmidt, and step-parents, Tara Petito, and Jim Schmidt, started The Gabby Petito Foundation to help other domestic violence victims and help families find their missing loved ones.

"Please share a photo/video of your light, and tag it with #thelightremains and if you are honoring a loved one, please share their name and a photo if you'd like as well," their Aug. 22 post read.

In a tweet Sunday, her mother, said, "Today marks two years since our beautiful Gabby was murdered. Please shine a light in the darkness for all those who have been taken by the ones they loved and for survivors of domestic violence!"

Her message ended with the hashtags, #wewontstop and #breakthesilence.

Her father, tweeted, “Tonight will make 2 years my only daughter #GabbyPetito was taken.”

“If her story touched you, I ask you to share a #MissingPerson flyer,” he wrote. “Help get someone home safe to their loved ones that are missing them.”

He ended his message with the hashtags, #EveryoneDeservesTheSameAttention, #TogetherWeCan, and #MissedEveryDay=

The four parents announced last week that they are expected to speak at CrimeCon in Orlando, FL. There, the foundation will be honored as Crimefighter of the Year, and they will speak on “the issues around domestic violence and missing persons,” according to a Facebook post.

“We are proud to be a guest at this year’s event so we can continue to honor Gabby's legacy,” they said in the post.

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