Cassie Laundrie made headlines in February 2025 with a controversial comment regarding Brian Laundrie and Gabby Petito’s tragic case. The case, which gripped the nation in 2021, concerned the disappearance and murder of 22-year-old Gabby Petito while on a cross-country road trip with her fiancé, Brian Laundrie. Brian died by suicide later, leaving many questions unanswered. Cassie Laundrie’s recent remarks have sparked fresh public anger and brought renewed focus to the case.
What Happened?
Brian’s older sister, Cassie Laundrie, recently spoke to a popular true crime podcast, dropping a few bombshells that left listeners stunned. During the interview, Cassie said her brother was “misunderstood” and that he had been portrayed as a monster by the media. Miller also advised the family of Gabby Petito to “move on,” and that he should stop looking for answers to his death.
His remarks prompted instant backlash from the public and from Gabby’s family, which has spoken out publicly about their grief and their pursuit of justice. Cassie was widely criticized for being insensitive and callous regarding Gabby’s tragic death.
The Gabby Petito Case: A Quick Remind
The Gabby Petito case started back in September 2021, when Gabby was reported missing while on a road trip with Brian Laundrie. The couple had been sharing their journey on social media but suddenly it ceased, alarming Gabby’s family.
Gabby’s body was discovered in the Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming after a nationwide manhunt. Her death was ruled a homicide by strangulation. Brian Laundrie, who had returned to his parents’ home in Florida without Gabby, was named the prime suspect. But before he was arrested, Brian vanished. His remains were later discovered in a Florida nature preserve, alongside a notebook in which he allegedly admitted to killing Gabby and then taking his own life.
Cassie Laundries’s Involvement in the Case
Cassie Laundrie was under scrutiny the entire time for having been involved. At first, she said she was unaware of Brian’s activities, but text messages subsequently showed that she had spoken with him after Gabby went missing. People accused her of shielding her brother and hiding what she knew from law enforcement.
Cassie, in a podcast interview over the weekend, defended her actions as that of a wife attempting to guide her husband through a rough patch. She also said she was frustrated that the case continued to be of interest to the public. “It’s been years. People need to let it go.”
Public Reaction
Cassie’s comments have drawn widespread outrage, especially on social media. Many instead attacked her, accusing her of being dismissive about Gabby’s death, and seeming to prioritize her brother’s reputation over the victim’s memory.
Gabby’s family also released a statement in response to the interview saying, “Gabby’s life was taken from her in a brutal and senseless act of violence. We will never ‘get over’ her loss, and we will continue to fight for justice and answers for as long as it takes.”
The Broader Impact
The Gabby Petito case has relevant lasting change for missing persons cases in the US It shed light on the role that media attention can play in solving cases like this and also sparked national conversations around domestic violence and relationship abuse.
Cassie Laundrie has once again put attention on the case, and the implications of the case, with her recent comments. Many also fear that the public interest can at times eclipse the victims and their families, although some argue that the focus must continue to ensure justice is served.
What’s Next?
As of February 2025, much of the Gabby Petito case remains unsolved. And despite Brian Laundrie having died — on the run as a fugitive, apparently by suicide, his body found in a swamp — it hadn’t provided the closure Gabby’s family wants, as they try to piece together what led to her murder.
The interview with Cassie Laundrie now brings a new dimension to the case, sparking questions about accountability, family loyalty, and the ethics of true crime storytelling. Whether her comments will provide any new developments in the case, or if they will fall to the background and life of the case to come remains to be seen.
Conclusion
Although Brian Laundrie’s death ended the criminal investigation, the emotional toll on Gabby’s family as well as the public lingers.
