Gabby Petito’s family reveals matching tattoos in her memory

The family of Gabby Petito, a 22-year-old woman who was found deceased in Wyoming, revealed tattoos they had done in her memory. 

During a press conference held by Petito’s family Tuesday afternoon, Petito’s parents and stepparents stood in line with their hands clasped, along with their lawyer, before revealing the matching art work. 

Speaking to the press for the first time following Petito’s Sunday memorial service in Long Island, her mother, father, stepfather and stepmother revealed matching tattoos that say “Let it be” that the four had done together on Monday.

Designed by Petito, who bore the same tattoo along her forearm, the family said it made them feel closer to her.

“I wanted to have her with me all the time,” her mother, Nichole Schmidt, said. “So I feel that this helps that.”

Petito’s family announced they would be starting a nonprofit called the “Gabby Petito Foundation,” which will aim to help find missing children or people.

“We’re just hoping that through our tragedy of losing Gabby that in the future that some good can come out of it, that we can help other people that may be in a similar situation,” Petito’s stepfather, Jim Schmidt, said.

Petitio was reported missing earlier this month after her fiance, Brian Laundrie returned to Florida from a road trip without her. 

Laundrie himself was last seen by his family shortly after Petitio was reported missing and her remains were found. Laundrie reportedly told his parents that he was going to Carlton Reserve in western Florida. 

When asked about the current attempts to locate Petito’s now-missing fiancé Brian Laundrie, the Petito’s family lawyer, Richard Stafford, said, “For the Laundries silence: The Laundries did not help us find Gabby — they’re sure not [sic] going to help us find Brian. For Brian, we’re asking you to turn yourself in to the FBI or the nearest law enforcement agency.”

In a statement on Monday, the Laundries’ lawyer, Steven Bertolino, said, “Chris and Roberta Laundrie do not know where Brian is. They are concerned about Brian and hope the FBI can locate him.”

Petito’s family said that they are “100 percent happy with the FBI” and “know that they will bring justice for Gabby,” Stafford said.

The family also heralded the awareness and attention Petito has received on social media and urged all social media users, as well as journalists and the media, to work to highlight all missing persons cases the way Petito’s has been.

“I don’t want to dismiss the ridiculously hard work the FBI and law enforcement all around did, but social media has been amazing and very influential,” Petito’s father, Joe Petito, said. “And to be honest, it should continue for other people, too. This same type of heightened awareness should be continued for everyone. Everyone. And that goes for you all, too.”

Anyone with information regarding Brian Laundrie’s whereabouts are encouraged to call the FBI tip line or a local law enforcement agency.