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Steven Bertolino: Laundrie lawyer slammed for heartless comment on Gabby Petito case

Days after Brian Laundrie's skeletal remains were identified by the FBI, his family's lawyer, Steven Bertolino, insisted 'today is not the day to discuss the Gabby Petito case'

In his first interview since Brian Laundrie's skeletal remains were identified by the FBI, his family's lawyer, Steven Bertolino, insisted "today is not the day to discuss the Gabby Petito case," drawing ire from social media users. 

Laundrie, the boyfriend of 22-year-old vlogger Gabby Petito, has reportedly not been seen since September 14 and was confirmed 'missing' on September 17. This led police to search the nearby Carlton Reserve for Laundrie, who was named a person of interest in Petito's death case, whose remains were found at a Wyoming Park by the authorities. The case began drawing national interest after Brian returned home to Florida on September 1 without his girlfriend after a cross-country road trip. Human remains were discovered in a Florida swamp on Wednesday, October 20, and a day later, identified to be Laundrie's.  

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'Tonight is not that time'

Following the discovery of their son's body, Brian Laundrie's parents have stayed silent on the case of his murdered girlfriend. Meanwhile, Bertolino, the attorney for Laundrie's parents Chris and Roberta, insisted on NBC News, "today is not the day to discuss the Gabby Petito case." He added: "I understand that that is the impetus - that this is the reason - why all this is happening. At some point in the future, there may be conversations to be had. There may be information to be discussed. Tonight is not that time.”

Understandably, the lawyer's words infuriated supporters of Petito. who took to Twitter to make their sentiments known. "Steven Bertolino is a disgusting little man! He thinks this is Brian's time, not Gabby's. Excuse me, but he killed Gabby. It is alway's Gabby's time," one user raged, while another said, "The Laundrie’s don’t deserve the time to grieve. You contributed to your sons death (in large part to your POS lawyer’s advice) and showed zero regard for Gabby’s family. You lost your son, no one is grieving with you. I assure you. #brianlaundrie #bertolino."

A third commented, "Aww, having a bad day Bertolino? GOOD! You earned it..and it’s good to know the Laundries are upset with the protestors out front..they should have been decent and answered the Petitos & Law Enforcement..the Victim is Gabby not your horrible clients." A commenter tweeted, "The audacity of Bertolino demanding empathy and space for the Laundries while the Laundries gave absolutely no empathy, compassion or assistance to Gabby’s family is infuriating."

Partial skull found among Brian Laundrie's remains

Detectives were seen arriving at the Laundrie family home on Thursday evening to tell his parents that the skeletal remains belonged to their son. "Chris and Roberta Laundrie have been informed that the remains found yesterday in the reserve are indeed Brian’s," Bertolino announced in a statement at the time. 

Bertolino said that the situation has been tragic for both Laundrie’s family and the family of Petito. He talked about the way Laundrie’s parents were subjected to scrutiny from the public over their silence and refusal to talk to reporters who have been camping outside their North Port home for weeks. “There are two families that have suffered a great tragedy. There are two young people that have now lost their lives," he said. 

Laundrie's cause of death has not been revealed. As forensic teams work on Laundrie's remains and the death scene, not many details regarding his remains have been released. A partial skull was among the remains recovered from the scene and enabled the law enforcement agents to make a dental record match to identify the remains. The human remains were found near a notebook and backpack belonging to Laundrie on Wednesday. His parents joined the police in searching the Carlton Reserve on the day.