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Laundrie family slammed for statement on Gabby Petito's death: 'They can F off'

Family slammed after calling Petito's death 'heartbreaking', the internet says they gave Brian 'a three-day head start' and 'knew she was deceased'

The family of Brian Laundrie is currently receiving immense backlash after their brief statement following the discovery of Gabby Petito's body. Through their lawyer, the family issued a one-line statement calling Petito's death "heartbreaking". In response, Twitter has been flooded with angry users who have slammed the Laundrie family, while others have accused them of aiding their son's escape. 

As we reported, the FBI discovered Petito's body at an undeveloped campground at the Bridger-Teton National Forest on September 19. Positive identification is yet to be done, but the FBI noted the remains were "consistent with the description of Gabrielle Petito." Meanwhile, they are also on the hunt for Brian Laundrie, who was confirmed missing on September 17. He was allegedly spotted later that day, in a now-viral video. For now, though, police believe he could be hiding out at the Carlton Reserve, a 25k acre park near his home in North Port, Florida.

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Since the disappearance of Petitio made headlines, the Laundrie family has firmly refused to say much. Brian reportedly refused to talk to cops and offer a statement when he was first interviewed. The family has also not yet talked to the press directly, despite them being camped out in front of their Florida home. The statement following the death of Petito is one of the first significant statements to come from the family, following the one made on September 17 saying Brian was missing.

Family statement slammed as 'sick'

Through their attorney Steven Bertolino, the Laundrie family told the press, "The news about Gabby Petito is heartbreaking. The Laundrie family prays for Gabby and her family." That statement was made hours after the FBI first confirmed it had found a body believed to belong to Petito, possibly turning the missing person's case into a murder one. Until a cause of death is determined though, we can't say for sure if Brian Laundrie will be considered a suspect, rather than a person of interest, as he is now.

The brief statement though didn't do much for the family's reputation. Social media users were quick to denounce it. "Brian Laundrie’s lawyer, Steve Bertolino has released a statement: “The news about Gabby Petito is heartbreaking. The Laundrie family prays for Gabby and her family.” I’m not buying it, they gave him a 3 day head start," one user accused.  Another slammed, "The last thing anyone needs is a statement from the Laundrie family what the f--- are you doing Steven Bertolino?"

"The Laundrie family statement about Gabby Petito just rubs me the wrong way. If they really cared about Gabby, why didn’t they report her missing when Brian came home without her? And where was their thoughts for her family when they were begging them to tell them anything?" one user commented. Another said, "The statement that was released by the Laundrie family about hoping Gabby will be reunited with her family, is seriously just SICK. They knew she was deceased when they made that statement."

Another user tweeted, "The gall of that disgusting Laundrie family and their lawyer is sickening. To now, issue a pious statement about Gabby and her family is beneath contempt. North Port Police Dept should be investigated as to their handling of this case." One person tweeted, "I am disgusted by the Laundrie family & they can shove their statement up their a$$. They did ZERO to help find Gabby. They can F off."

So far, Petito's family has not issued a statement following the discovery of her body. Richard Benson Stafford, an attorney for the Petito family told the press, "we are asking the press and news media to have some decorum and sensitivity for Gabby's family and allow them to grieve. I will be in contact with you when Gabby's family is ready to make a public statement." An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday, September 21 to determine the cause of death.