Gabby Petito’s tragic story continues to impact her family and the wider public, as her mother, Nichole Schmidt, and stepmother, Tara Petito, work to raise awareness about domestic violence and support victims.
Three years after her body was discovered in a Wyoming national park on September 19, 2021, Gabby’s family is still grieving while channeling their pain into advocacy through the Gabby Petito Foundation.
The foundation focuses on important issues like domestic violence prevention, mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and locating missing persons.
Both Nichole and Tara, attending the National Crime Bar Association Conference in Portland, Oregon, spoke about how helping others cope with similar tragedies has aided their own healing process.
Gabby’s disappearance during a road trip with her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, in 2021 garnered national attention.
After her body was found, Laundrie became the focus of a nationwide manhunt, ending in his death by suicide and a note admitting to her murder.
Through their foundation, Gabby’s family aims to help others recognize red flags in domestic violence relationships and prevent others from becoming victims.
Their work is fueled by their desire to break cycles of abuse and help young people avoid similar fates.