Gabby Petito’s dad warns women in toxic relationships to ‘leave now’ in swipe at Brian Laundrie at daughter’s funeral
GABBY Petito’s dad told women who are in “toxic relationships” to “leave now” as he appeared to take a swipe at Brian Laundrie during his daughter’s funeral service.
Family members and mourners gathered in Holbrook, New York on Sunday – a week after Petito’s remains were found in Wyoming.
During the emotional service, her father Joe Petito thanked everyone for their support in the wake of his daughter’s disappearance.
He said that he wanted people to be “inspired” by how the 22-year-old vlogger treated people.
Joe said: “If there is a trip you want to take, do it now while you have the time.
“If there is a relationship that might not best for you, leave it now.”
Paying tribute to his daughter, Joe said: “Gabby is the most amazing person I’ve ever met.”
He also asked the mourners at his daughter’s funeral not to be sad when they left the service.
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Joe added: “When you leave here today, be inspired by what she brought to the table.
“Because the entire planet knows this woman’s name now, and she’s inspired a lot of women and a lot of men to do what’s best for them first.
Read our Gabby Petito live blog for the very latest news and updates…
“Put yourself first and do it now while you have the time. I couldn’t be more proud as a father.”
Gabby’s stepfather Jim Schmidt reminded mourners of the vlogger’s tattoo that was inspired by The Beatles track “Let it Be”.
He said: “Put yourself first and do it now while you have the time. I couldn’t be more proud as a father.”
“It’s OK to mourn for Gabby, and it’s OK to feel sorrow and pain. But we want to celebrate her and how she lived her life.
“We need to hold on to all those wonderful memories we shared with her because that will be the answer. Let it be.”
‘LET IT BE’
The chapel was covered with flowers and photos that documented Gabby’s life.
Joe said: “She always wanted to go out and do stuff, whether it was scuba diving with my uncle, or myself, or hiking the Appalachian Trail, surfing sand dunes in Colorado.
“She had some wild experiences that I could only wish that I could experience.
The family is launching a charity that’s designed to help families search for their missing kids.
In an Instagram post uploaded the day before the funeral, Joe said: “No one should have to find their child on their own.
“We are creating this foundation to give resources and guidance on bringing their children home.”
The family said they’re looking to help find people in similar situations to Gabby.
He uploaded a photo of Gabby wearing angel wings accompanied by doves.
Social media users said it’s a “beautiful way” to honor her memory as they paid tribute to the YouTuber.
Gabby was last seen in August while she and her fiancé Brian Laundrie, were traveling across the country in a van together.
The pair toured national parks and desert canyons in America’s midwest as they visited Kansas, Colorado, and Utah.
Laundrie returned home to Florida on September 1 without his fiancée. She was reported missing on September 11.
The funeral comes as authorities are still searching for Laundrie, 23, who vanished last weekend before Petito’s remains were found.
SEARCH FOR LAUNDRIE CONTINUES
A preliminary autopsy ruled the manner of her death a homicide, but an official cause has not been disclosed.
Meanwhile, Laundrie’s parents reported their son missing on September 17, and said they last saw him three days earlier.
They said he left their home to go hiking in a nature reserve, taking his backpack with him.
Dog the Bounty Hunter has since joined the search and said he’s getting phone calls to his anonymous tip line every two or three minutes.
He said: “A lot of the information he’s received points to the Appalachian Trail
“If there’s anywhere out there that looks the hottest, that could be the area.
“I think he’s young enough, not an experienced criminal, but what is his greatest experience? Outdoorsman – that’s what he does the best.
“I don’t think he can shoplift, live on the run, live in cheap hotels. On a one-to-10 he’s probably a six, compared to the outdoorsmen and some of the guys I’ve captured.”
Laundrie’s social media posts have revealed he was researching supplies for a stint in the wild that could help him survive for months.
He shared images of ways to pack a backpack and camping hacks to his Pinterest page in the months before he vanished.
Gabby’s best friend said Brian had the ability to survive in the wild for months.
Rose Davis told DailyMail.com: “I know he lived in the Appalachians for what I believe was three months, and he did it by himself, so I know he’s skilled at it.”
FBI detectives and crews continue to scour the alligator-infested Carlton Reserve in Sarasota, Florida as they try to find Laundrie.
The reserve is a 25,000-acre park and is home to venomous rattlesnakes, alligators, coyotes, and bobcats.
Josh Taylor, of North Port Police, said the wilderness is “unforgiving at times”.
Officials started searching the reserve last weekend and Laundrie remains at large.
Meanwhile, most alleged sightings in Florida and Alabama have led to dead ends.
