In an interview on Dr. Phil’s television show that aired Tuesday, Gabby Petito’s parents, in heartbreaking detail, described the moments they heard the news of their 22-year-old daughter’s remains being found in Wyoming after she had been missing for weeks. Gabby’s parents believe their daughter’s fiancé is still alive.
Gabby’s mom and dad, Joe Petito and Nichole Schmidt, and her nearly lifelong stepparents, Tara Petito and Jim Schmidt sat down for an interview with Dr. Phil on Tuesday. The 30-minute interview was centered around topics ranging from Schmidt’s early suspicion that her daughter wasn’t OK, the text messages they sent to Brian’s parents and their belief that Brian is still out there hiding.
Jim Schmidt said he was in Wyoming to meet investigators at a hotel’s conference room where he was staying. Soon after entering the conference room that day for the meeting, Schmidt said he could see an FBI agent through a window rushing in to meet him. Schmidt later learned the agent was bringing the news of Gabby’s death before word got out of their discovery.
Through tears, Nichole Schmidt described her reactions after learning that her beloved daughter’s remains were found.
“And we knew it was Gabby. Even though we were hoping it wasn’t,” she continued. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to listen to … But I knew she was gone. As a mom, I knew she was gone,” Nichole said through tears.
Two days later, the FBI confirmed that the remains belonged to their 22-year-old missing daughter. Gabby’s manner of her death was identified as being homicide. Moreover, Gabby’s mother said she suspected the worst on Sept. 11, after learning that the van in which Gabby and Brian were traveling was back at Brian’s parents’ home in Florida.
“I didn’t want to admit it,” she said, “but I felt it the night I found out the van was in Florida on the 11th, I felt in my heart that she was gone,” Nichole recaaled.
During the interview, Gabby’s father, Joe Petito, told the interviewer that Brian did not inform them that he had returned home in Gabby’s van. Gabby’s mother also added that as far as they knew, their daughter was still camping. At this point, the parent began calling and texting Brian’s parents frantically with questions on Gabby’s whereabouts. However, Brian’s parents were less concerned about Gabby’s disappearance.
Brain’s parents “know a lot more information than they’re putting out there,” Gabby’s parents said. When asked if they believed “100%” that Brian is still out there alive and in hiding, Joe Petito responded: “I do,” calling Brian and his parents cowards.
“Because he’s a coward. Flat out. I could use some other words, but I can’t use them on your show. Coward,” he said. “Anyone that lived in that house is a coward, and they don’t know how to stand up for their actions.”
The Petitos’ lawyer revealed on Tuesday that Brian used Gabby’s credit card in Wyoming, three days she was seen alive at a Wyoming restaurant on Aug 27. Authorities say more serious charges are coming against Brian if he’s found alive.
