(NewsNation) — Three years after Gabby Petito’s death, her mother and stepmother say the pain hasn’t eased, but they’re working to keep her memory alive and help others affected by domestic violence.
During a Saturday interview with “NewsNation Prime,” Nicole Schmidt, Petito’s mother, and Tara Petito, her stepmother, discussed their ongoing efforts to raise awareness about domestic violence and missing persons cases.
“It seems like each year that passes, it’s more painful,” Schmidt said. “I think it’s just because I feel like I’m further away from her.”
Petito, 22, was killed in 2021 during a cross-country road trip with her boyfriend, Brian Christopher Laundrie. He took his own life after reportedly admitting to killing Petito. Her case garnered national attention and sparked conversations about domestic violence.
The family has established the Gabby Petito Foundation, which focuses on preventing domestic violence and assisting in missing persons cases. It’s working to implement education programs and training for first responders.
“She has given us so much strength to try to help other victims of domestic violence and missing people,” Tara Petito said.
The family is also pursuing a lawsuit against the Moab Police Department in Utah, hoping to change how law enforcement handles domestic violence cases.
Recent legislation named after Petito has been passed in Florida and Utah, implementing a lethality assessment protocol for police responding to domestic violence calls.
“I believe that if it was used with Gabby, I think she would still be alive today,” Tara Petito said.
To commemorate Petito and raise awareness, the foundation is organizing a virtual run/walk event from Saturday through September 19. Participants can register on the foundation’s website.
Despite the ongoing pain, the family says they feel Petito’s presence through various signs. “She sends us signs all the time,” Tara Petito said. “It never fails.”
