Moab Police Cleared in Gabby Petito Lawsuit, Family Vows to Appeal

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A Utah judge ruled in favor of the Moab Police Department in a lawsuit brought by Gabby Petito's family, citing the Government Immunity Act of Utah as the basis for his decision. The lawsuit stemmed from the department’s handling of a domestic violence incident two weeks before Petito’s murder by her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie.
Petito’s tragic death in August 2021 gained widespread attention when her remains were discovered in Wyoming. Laundrie, later identified as her killer, died by suicide, leaving behind a notebook confession. The Petito family’s $50 million civil lawsuit alleged that Moab Police failed to follow state laws and department policies during a roadside stop in which they investigated a domestic violence incident between Petito and Laundrie. They argue that this failure endangered her life.
Judge Don Torgerson acknowledged the family's concerns but ruled that the police department could not be held accountable under Utah’s legal framework. “I do think that plaintiffs have made a prima facie case that Moab's officers' conduct here could have been a cause of death. Not necessarily THE cause of death, but a cause of death,” Torgerson said during the hearing. Despite these remarks, the judge explained that the Government Immunity Act shields officers from liability, leading to his ruling in favor of the police department.
The decision allows the Petito family to escalate the case to the Utah Supreme Court, and they intend to do so. In a statement provided to FOX 13 News, the family shared their resolve: "While the ruling today may feel like a setback, it was not unexpected. We never anticipated that this would be an easy process and look forward to the Utah Supreme Court upholding the Utah Constitution's original intent to preserve the right to recover for wrongful death claims under these circumstances. We remain committed to pursuing justice for Gabby and thank the many people who have continued to support us in that fight."
The case highlights ongoing debates over police accountability and the effectiveness of domestic violence interventions. During the original roadside stop, body camera footage showed a visibly distressed Gabby Petito speaking with officers. Critics have argued that the officers misclassified her as the primary aggressor, contrary to evidence suggesting she was a victim. The family asserts that better intervention could have prevented her death.
While the court’s ruling absolves the Moab Police Department of legal responsibility, it has reignited public discourse about the importance of law enforcement’s role in protecting victims of domestic violence.
#GabbyPetito #BrianLaundrie #MoabPolice #DomesticViolence #UtahLaw #WrongfulDeath #JusticeForGabby
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