The Gabby Petito Story: Including an Interview with Nichole Schmidt, Gabby's Mom

Gabby Petito, a 22-year-old travel blogger, was found murdered in September 2021 after going missing during a cross-country trip with her fiancé, Brian Laundrie. Her death sparked widespread media attention, and Laundrie was later found dead, with authorities concluding he was responsible for her murder. In this episode, the hosts of Moms and Mysteries sit down with Nichole Schmidt, Gabby Petito's mother, to discuss the foundation she and Gabby's family started, the warning signs of unhealthy relationships, the current state of domestic violence worldwide, and essential resources available for victims and survivors.

Special thanks to Nichole Schmidt, Gabby’s mom, for sharing her story and the important work the Gabby Petito Foundation is doing to raise awareness about domestic violence. To learn more, visit gabbypetitofoundation.org.

Research assistance by Ana Luria. 

For more information about domestic violence awareness month including resources for survivors, supporters, and ways to give back, including joining us and Navigating Advocacy Podcast in our Survivor's Bag Drive, check out momsandmysteries.com/dva. 

Thank you to this week’s sponsors!

To take the next step in improving your health, go to lumen.me/MOMS to get 15% off your Lumen. 

Treat yourself to the best bras and shapewear on the market and save 20% Off at honeylove.com/MOMS20. 

Get cozy in Quince's high-quality wardrobe essentials. Go to Quince.com/moms for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. 

We've worked out a special deal with Hiya for their best selling children's vitamin. Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/MOMS. 

To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://www.advertisecast.com/MomsandMysteriesATrueCrimePodcast. 

New merch! Check out Moms and Mysteries Threadless! You can also get new episodes a day early and ad free, plus merch and more at Patreon.com/momsandmysteriespodcast

Listen and subscribe to Melissa’s other podcast, Criminality!! It’s the podcast for those who love reality TV, true crime, and want to hear all the juicy stories where the two genres intersect. Subscribe and listen here: www.pod.link/criminality 

Check-out Moms and Mysteries to find links to our tiktok, youtube, twitter, instagram and more!

Sources:

1. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gabby-petito-brian-laundrie-case-story-deaths/

2. https://www.nytimes.com/article/gabrielle-gabby-petito-missing-timeline.html 

3. https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/gabby-petito-search-timeline-of-notable-dates-and-events/ 

4. https://abc7ny.com/gabby-petito-disappearance-timeline-brian-laundrie/11024821/ 

5. https://abc7ny.com/brian-laundrie-updates-photo-burner-phone-dog-the-bounty-hunter/11067939/ 

6. https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/01/us/gabby-petito-brian-laundrie-update-friday/index.html 

7. https://www.npr.org/2021/09/21/1039258838/gabby-petito-boyfriend-search-florida 

8. https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/denver/news/press-releases/fbi-denver-provides-final-investigative-update-on-gabrielle-petito-case 

9. https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/14/us/brian-laundrie-gabby-petito-parent-depositions/index.html 

10. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/15/us/gabrielle-petito-missing-vanlife.html 

11. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1U1jLY5JvzS65y4vsS-IqSalz6zCY6Z4t/view?usp=sharing 

12. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FArsVdhlOOaxS2nFI2i4c8I4nkW4ewxH/view 

13. https://www.gabbypetitofoundation.org/gabbys-story 

14. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-58629192

15. https://www.kcra.com/article/gabby-petito-letter-to-brian-laundrie/61086728  

16. https://www.northjersey.com/story/opinion/2021/10/28/gabby-petito-she-caught-cycle-abuse-brian-laundrie/8564643002/ 

17. https://www.businessinsider.com/gabby-petito-missing-instagram-who-is-case-found-laundrie-brian-2021-9 

18. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/19/us/who-is-gabrielle-petito.html 

19. https://www.wwaytv3.com/gabby-petito-once-lived-in-wilmington-friends-share-memories/ 

20. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gabby-petito-domestic-violence-could-her-death-have-been-prevented/ 

21. https://www.sltrib.com/news/2023/02/07/newly-released-photo-appears/ 

22. https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title76/Chapter5/76-5-S103.html#:~:text=Aggravated%20assault%20%2D%2D%20Penalties.,-(1)&text=Terms%20defined%20in%20Section%2076,101.5%20apply%20to%20this%20section.&text=other%20means%20or%20force%20likely%20to%20produce%20death%20or%20serious%20bodily%20injury.&text=A%20violation%20of%20Subsection%20(2)%20is%20a%20third%20degree%20felony.&text=an%20act%20under%20Subsection%20(2,produces%20a%20loss%20of%20consciousness. 

23. https://www.wfla.com/news/sarasota-county/read-brian-laundries-notebook-confession-message-to-gabby-petito/ 

24. https://people.com/crime/gabby-petito-best-friend-brian-laundrie-jealousy-issues/ 

25. https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2022/06/gabby-petito-death-brian-laundrie