A Sarasota County, Florida, judge ruled in favour of Gabby Petito’s family in a wrongful-death lawsuit against Brian Laundrie’s estate on Thursday.
Petito’s mother, Nichole Schmidt, is awarded $3 million as the administrator of Petito’s estate in the final judgement.

“The Petito family lost their daughter, and they were also denied the opportunity to confront her killer,” said Patrick Reilly, Petito’s parents’ attorney, in a statement to CNN. “There is no amount of money that can compensate the Petito family for the death of their daughter, Gabby, at the hands of Brian Laundrie.” Brian did not have $3 million; the figure was chosen at random. Whatever funds they do receive will benefit Gabby’s family and the Gabby Petito Foundation.”

“Joseph Petito and Nichole Schmidt want to make a positive out of their personal tragedy.” “They hope that Gabby’s foundation will bring these important issues to the forefront of the public’s attention for the benefit of all our communities,” Reilly said.

Petito’s body was discovered in Teton County, Wyoming, in September, just over a week after her family reported her missing. The coroner ruled that she died as a result of strangulation.

Laundrie returned to the couple’s home on September 1 on his own, then left again about two weeks later and vanished. Laundrie’s body was later discovered in a Florida nature reserve near his home in Sarasota County, and a medical examiner determined he committed suicide.

Authorities discovered a notebook nearby in which Laundrie claimed responsibility for Petito’s death.

Petito’s family also sued Christopher and Roberta Laundrie in May, alleging that they knew their son Brian murdered Petito, knew “the whereabouts of her body,” and were working to help him flee the country.