'No Doubt' Brian Laundrie Killed Gabby Petito: Family Attorney

BLUE POINT, NY — Gabby Petito’s loved ones believe the Federal Bureau of Investigation's probe into her slaying, finding an admission of guilt in her fiancé Brian Laundrie’s notebook, leaves no doubt that he murdered her, their attorney said.

The news comes a day after the FBI confirmed that the slain Long Islander's family met with investigators for a briefing, according to a report by Fox Digital News.

Bohemia attorney Rick Stafford said the family credited the FBI for their "diligent and painstaking efforts in this extremely complicated case," in a statement released Friday.

"The quality and quantity of the facts and information collected by the FBI leave no doubt Brian Laundrie murdered Gabby," the statement continued.

FBI officials said on Friday afternoon that the only person identified as being involved in Petito's homicide was Laundrie.

The 23-year-old Long Islander disappeared in August on a cross-country trip with Laundrie, who returned to his parents' home in Florida in her van, but without her. After a massive interstate search, involving multiple law enforcement agencies, Petito was found strangled to death near Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming on Sept. 19 — eight days after she was reported missing by her mother.

She was confirmed dead on Sept. 21.

Laundrie, who had refused to speak with police after Petito was reported missing, drove to a Florida preserve where investigators believe he shot himself in the head. His remains were found about one month later.

"All logical investigation steps have been concluded in this case. The investigation did not identify any other individuals other than Brian Laundrie directly involved in the tragic death of Gabby Petito," Michael H. Schneider, special agent in charge, said in a statement shared in an FBI news release. "The FBI's primary focus throughout the investigation was to bring justice to Gabby and her family."

A notebook found near Laundrie's remains included statements claiming responsibility for Petito's death, according to the FBI.

The FBI said that the public's role in helping investigators was invaluable "as the investigation was covered in the media around the world."

"On behalf of the FBI, I want to express my deepest appreciation to the public for the thousands of tips that were provided during the investigation, and to our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners for their work throughout the investigation," Schneider said.

Petito’s family thanked the FBI, drawing specific attention to the Wyoming, Denver, New York, and Tampa offices, and their task force members and assisting agencies, as well as the FBI’s Victim Services Department "for all they have done for them."

"Victim Services has been there for support from the earliest stages of this investigation and helped their entire family navigate through the worst moments of their lives," the statement read.

Steven Bertolino, an attorney for Laundrie's parents, Christopher and Roberta Laundrie, told The Independent that they will not face charges over the homicide of Petito.

“To my knowledge, there will be no charges,” he told the outlet.

He could not be immediately reached for comment.

In a statement to NewsNation's Brian Entin, Bertolino said: "Gabby and Brian are no longer with their families and this tragedy has caused enormous emotional pain and suffering to all who loved either or both of them."

"We can only hope that with today's closure of the case each family can begin to heal and move forward and find peace in and with the memories of their children," he continued. "May Gabby and Brian both rest in peace."

In a statement to Patch on Thursday, Bertolino said the two families reached an agreement on how the couple's property will be distributed.

Bertolino said, "an agreement in principle, with respect to the distribution of property between the families, has been reached."

He declined to comment further.

Bertolino told Fox News that he had been working with Petito's family attorney, Stafford, "to come to an agreement on the distribution of property to be released from law enforcement" and the two compiled a written agreement detailing "how the property" would be distributed.
Stafford could not be immediately reached for comment.

Petito's mother, Nichole Schmidt, filed a claim in December seeking the slain Long Islander's belongings — going on the record in the legal process as the family of Laundrie seeks access to his $20,000 estate, the US Sun first reported.

Bertolino described the filing of the estate as "a formality."

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Tiffany Razzano contributed additional reporting to this story.