Gabby Petito's Family Won't Speak On Laundrie Death Yet: Attorney

BLUE POINT, NY — The family of Gabby Petito was silent on Thursday following the news that the Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed the remains of Brian Laundrie — the sole person of interest in her death — were found the day before in a Florida preserve.

In a statement on Thursday night, her family's attorney, Richard Stafford of Bohemia, said they would not be making a statement or doing any interviews "at this time."

"They are grieving the loss of their beautiful daughter," he said. "Gabby's family will make a statement at the appropriate time and when they are emotionally ready."

The statement was on behalf of Petito's four parents, including her father, Joseph Petito, and stepmother, Tara, as well as her mother Nichole, and stepfather, Jim Schmidt.

The human remains found at two Sarasota County parks — the T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve and Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park — were confirmed to belong to Laundrie, the FBI's Denver office said in a news release on Thursday evening.

Dental records were able to guide investigators and help confirm the skeletal remains, which included part of a human skull.

The remains, which were found after over a month of searching, near items, including a notebook, that belonged to Laundrie.

The Laundrie family attorney, Steven Bertolino of East Islip, told a WPBF reporter by text on Thursday that Laundrie's parents had been notified the remains were those of their missing son.

"Chris and Roberta Laundrie have been informed that the remains found yesterday in the reserve are indeed Brian's," Bertolino said. "We have no further comment at this time and we ask that you respect the Laundries' privacy at this time."

Bertolino told CNN earlier in the day on Thursday that the Laundries were heartbroken after the learning of the discovery.

The Laundries had searched the area with law enforcement for signs of their son, who had not been seen in over a month, when the remains and other items, including a knapsack and a notebook, were found on Wednesday morning.

"It's quite sad, you can imagine as a parent, finding your son's belonging alongside the remains," said Bertolino, adding, "That's got to be heartbreaking. And I can tell you that they are heartbroken."

Related Stories:

• Brian Laundrie's Remains Identified Using Dental Records: FBI
• Unidentified Human Remains, Brian Laundrie Belongings Found: FBI
• Brian Laundrie: Park At Center Of Search Reopens In North Port
• Laundrie: Marshals Ambush Look-Alike On Trail; Dad Sued For $40
• Where Is Brian Laundrie? Gabby Petito's Fiance Fled 1 Month Ago
• Gabby Petito: North Port Memorial, Brian Laundrie Search
• Gabby Petito's Cause Of Death Was Strangulation: Coroner
• 'Be Inspired': Gabby Petito's Dad At Long Island Memorial Service
• Not Just Gabby Petito' Case Deserves Media Attention: Dad
• Suffolk Detective Who Opened Gabby Petito's Case An 'Angel': Mom
• 'Be Inspired': Gabby Petito's Dad At Long Island Memorial Service
• Gabby Petito Remembered As Free Spirit 'Who Loved Living Life'
• Human Remains Confirmed As Gabby Petito; Death Ruled A Homicide

Petito last had contact with her family on Aug. 25 and was believed to have been in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. At the time, she was traveling on a cross-country road trip with Laundrie, with whom she was engaged. She was reported missing on Sept. 11 and her body was found eight days later on Sept. 19 near the park.

Laundrie was indicted in connection with the unauthorized use of her bank card and had been sought by the FBI. He was last seen around Sept. 13.

In a recent interview with Dr. Phil McGraw, Petito’s family was critical of Laundrie and his family.

Nichole Schmidt said her mother's intuition told her that her daughter was gone early on in the search.

"I didn't want to admit it, but I felt it," she said. "The night I found out the van was in Florida on the 11th. I felt in my heart that she was gone."

Tiffany Razzano contributed additional reporting to this story.