More than three years after the heartbreaking death of Gabby Petito, her mother Nichole Schmidt is opening up about a disturbing theory surrounding Brian Laundrie’s final days—one that’s sending shockwaves across social media.
In a candid new interview on The Squeeze podcast, hosted by actor Taylor Lautner and his wife Tay, Nichole didn’t hold back as she voiced her belief that Brian may not have died by suicide after all.
The Tragic Timeline
Gabby Petito, a 22-year-old travel vlogger, captured hearts across the gabby petito during her cross-country road trip with fiancé Brian Laundrie in 2021. But alarm bells rang when Brian returned home to Florida—alone—and refused to speak with police or Gabby’s family about her whereabouts.
Weeks later, on September 19, 2021, Gabby’s remains were discovered in Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National Forest. An autopsy confirmed she died from blunt-force injuries to the head and neck, along with manual strangulation—a clear case of homicide.
As public pressure mounted, a warrant was issued for Brian Laundrie’s arrest. However, before he could be taken into custody, he vanished. His body was later found in a Florida nature reserve with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, alongside a notebook in which he admitted to killing Gabby.
“I Don’t Think He Killed Himself”
Now, in 2025, Nichole Schmidt is challenging the official narrative.
“I’ll say it straightforward—I don’t think he killed himself,” she revealed on the podcast. “I think either his father or his mother did. That’s just my opinion—it’s not a fact.”
When asked why she would believe such a thing, Nichole pointed to what she considers suspicious behavior by the Laundrie family.
“Better than going to jail and facing what you did,” she speculated. “That’s the only thing I can come up with in my mind.”
Schmidt also referenced a controversial “burn after reading” letter written by Brian’s mother, calling it “weird” and unsettling. While the contents of that letter have not been made public in full, it has previously raised eyebrows for its cryptic and emotional tone.
“The way you read [his mother’s] letter… and just the weirdness that [his parents] are—I don’t find it implausible. I think it’s very possible they did something.”
Why Nichole Believes Brian Wasn’t Suicidal
Nichole also questioned Brian’s supposed state of mind, arguing that the content of his journal doesn’t align with someone willing to take their own life.
“If you read the stuff he wrote, he kind of made up excuses,” she explained. “He didn’t want to take responsibility. So why then would he take his own life? He was a coward. It’s just a gut feeling that I have.”
“His Room Was Gutted—Everything Was Gone”
Adding fuel to her suspicions, Nichole revealed previously unknown information she recently learned.
“There was someone who was at the house when Brian was supposedly missing—and I say ‘supposedly’ because I believe he was hiding, not missing, maybe even already dead—and they told me Brian’s room had been completely gutted and renovated. None of his things were there anymore.”
This revelation is especially unsettling when placed in context: at the time, law enforcement was actively searching for Brian, even using scent-tracking dogs at his home.
“That very same week Gabby was missing… and all his things were gone. The room was completely empty. Just strange behavior. I don’t understand it.”
Laundrie Family Remains Silent
When contacted by Tyla, the Laundrie family’s attorney, Steven Bertolino, declined to comment on Nichole’s statements.
Final Thoughts
Nichole Schmidt’s heartbreaking honesty continues to strike a chord with those who have followed Gabby’s case since the beginning. Her words come not just from a place of grief, but from a mother who still seeks justice—and perhaps, closure.
While her theory remains speculative, it adds another layer to a case that captivated and horrified the nation. As new details emerge, one thing remains painfully clear: the full truth behind what happened to Gabby Petito—and Brian Laundrie—may still be unfolding.
