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5 Major Updates On Gabby Petito’s Parents: Lawsuits, New Advocacy & The Foundation’s 2025 Mission

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The parents of Gabby Petito, Nichole Schmidt and Joseph Petito, have transformed their profound personal tragedy into a relentless, nationwide mission for change. As of December 2025, their work continues to evolve, focusing heavily on legal battles to hold institutions accountable and launching major new initiatives through The Gabby Petito Foundation to combat domestic violence and aid missing persons cases.

Their journey has shifted from the desperate search for their daughter in 2021 to becoming powerful advocates, navigating complex civil lawsuits, and spearheading educational programs across the United States. The latest updates reveal significant legal closures and an expansion of their public awareness campaigns, particularly their push for new legislative safety measures and educational outreach.

The Unified Petito-Schmidt Family: A Biographical Profile

The core of the advocacy movement is the unified family unit, consisting of Gabby's biological parents and their respective spouses. Despite the unimaginable grief, they have presented a united front in the pursuit of justice and the establishment of their daughter's legacy.

  • Nichole Schmidt: Gabby Petito's mother. She has become a primary, passionate public voice for the family, often speaking about the emotional toll of domestic violence and the need for better resources for victims. She is married to Jim Schmidt.
  • Jim Schmidt: Nichole Schmidt's husband and Gabby's stepfather. He actively supports the Foundation's work and joins Nichole at public events, providing a strong, supportive presence.
  • Joseph "Joe" Petito: Gabby Petito's father. He is also a prominent advocate, frequently speaking to the media and appearing at events to promote the Foundation's mission. He is married to Tara Petito.
  • Tara Petito: Joseph Petito's wife and Gabby's stepmother. She works alongside Joe, Nichole, and Jim, helping to manage the Foundation and its various campaigns.

This four-person team—often referred to as the Petito-Schmidt family—has channeled their energy into making sure Gabby’s story saves other lives, turning their focus from the initial tragedy in North Port, Florida, and Wyoming, to a national movement.

Update 1: The $3 Million Wrongful Death Settlement with the Laundrie Family

A major legal chapter closed when Gabby Petito's parents reached a significant settlement in their wrongful death lawsuit against the estate of Brian Laundrie.

In November 2022, the families agreed to a $3 million settlement, which resolved the suit filed in Sarasota County, Florida.

The lawsuit acknowledged that Brian Laundrie was responsible for Gabby's death and that the financial damages were intended to cover the family's pain, suffering, and loss of companionship.

This settlement, while not undoing the tragedy, marked a formal legal acknowledgment of the immense emotional and financial toll the case took on Nichole Schmidt and Joseph Petito.

Separately, the Petito-Schmidt family also reached a settlement with Steven Bertolino, the former attorney for Brian Laundrie's parents, Christopher and Roberta Laundrie, over a separate civil lawsuit.

Update 2: The Ongoing Legal Battle Against Moab Police Department

While the lawsuit against the Laundrie family is settled, the Petito family continues a determined fight for accountability against the Moab Police Department (MPD) in Utah.

The family filed a $50 million wrongful death lawsuit, alleging that the officers who stopped Gabby and Brian Laundrie during a domestic dispute in August 2021 failed in their duty to protect Gabby.

In late 2024, a Utah district court judge dismissed the case, citing the "Tiede ruling," which limits civil claims against police for failing to protect a specific individual.

However, the Petito family remains resolute, immediately announcing their intention to appeal the dismissal to the Utah Supreme Court.

This ongoing appeal is a critical component of their mission, aiming to establish a legal precedent that mandates greater police intervention and training in domestic violence situations nationwide.

Update 3: New Advocacy and Legislative Push in 2025

The parents' efforts have moved beyond the courtroom into the legislative and educational spheres, with several high-profile activities scheduled for 2025.

Statewide Danger Assessment: Nichole Schmidt and Joseph Petito are actively advocating for new legislation, specifically pushing for a statewide danger assessment program in North Carolina.

This program is designed to better evaluate the risk of domestic violence in interactions with law enforcement, potentially saving lives by identifying high-danger scenarios early on.

CrimeCon 2025 Appearance: The family is scheduled to speak at major true crime events, including CrimeCon Denver 2025, where they will share new details about the weeks leading up to Gabby's disappearance and promote their ongoing advocacy work.

School Outreach: The Petito-Schmidt family is also dedicated to educating younger generations, visiting schools on Long Island, New York, to teach students how to recognize the warning signs of abusive relationships.

Update 4: The Gabby Petito Foundation’s Growing Impact

The Gabby Petito Foundation, established by her parents, is the primary vehicle for their mission, focusing on two critical areas: missing persons and domestic violence prevention.

The foundation’s official mission is to address the needs of organizations that support locating missing persons and to provide aid to organizations that assist victims of domestic violence.

Key Foundation Activities:

  • Run With the Angels 5K: This annual run/walk event is a major fundraiser and community awareness effort, honoring Gabby’s memory and raising funds to support the foundation’s goals.
  • “Touch the World, Change the World” Golf Outing: The foundation hosts this event, often held on Long Island, as another key fundraiser to support its various programs and grants.
  • Grants and Partnerships: The foundation actively provides grants to other non-profits involved in search and rescue operations and domestic abuse shelters, extending their reach far beyond their personal story.

Update 5: The Family’s Personal Healing and Shared Grief

Despite the constant public and legal demands, the parents have found a way to navigate their grief by remaining united and focusing on their daughter’s positive legacy.

Nichole Schmidt, Jim Schmidt, Joseph Petito, and Tara Petito regularly share updates and memories of Gabby on social media, keeping her spirit alive for their followers.

They have spoken publicly about finding common ground in their shared commitment to The Gabby Petito Foundation and their belief that Gabby is sending them signs from above.

Their continued visibility at events like CrimeCon and their legislative pushes demonstrate a powerful, collective resolve to ensure Gabby Petito’s name is synonymous not just with tragedy, but with meaningful, systemic change for future victims.

gabby petito parents
gabby petito parents

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