At Gabby Petito's burial, her father delivered an emotional message as well as some life advice, particularly for "women in relationships," as the FBI continued their search for her missing lover Brian Laundrie.
On Sunday, Joe Petito spoke at a packed funeral home in Long Island, remembering his 22-year-old daughter, whose life was cut short and urging people to be inspired by her.
"If you're in a relationship that you think isn't right for you, get out of it right now. "First and foremost, take care of yourself," he reminded the women at the funeral.
"I would like you to look at these videos [of Petito's travels] and be inspired by them," he continued. If there's a trip you want to go on, do it right now. Do it now, while you still have the opportunity."
He continued, "Gabby is the most amazing person I've ever met." "So, if you're going to leave here today, I'm hoping you'll be inspired by the way she treated everyone."
Mr. Petito stated in his eulogy that "the entire planet knows this woman's name," referring to her love of new experiences like scuba diving and dunes surfing.
Hundreds of people attended Petito's burial on Sunday, including many who did not know her. Many people showed up with banners in support of her.
According to allegations that have surfaced after her death, Petito's relationship with Mr. Laundrie was rocky. Petito was noticeably distressed in bodycam footage from a fight between the couple on August 12 in Moab, Utah, which became a police matter. There were no charges filed, and no one was hurt.
Mr. Laundrie and Petito admitted to officers that they were having mental health issues.
Another witness recently claimed that the pair fought "aggressively" over her cellphone during an argument in Utah on August 12.
Meanwhile, a police search warrant found that text messages sent by Gabby Petito to her mother in the days leading up to her abduction revealed escalating tension between her and Mr. Laundrie.
When she ceased speaking with her parents in late August, the 22-year-old was on a "vanlife" tour across the United States with Mr. Laundrie.
On September 1, he returned to his parent's house in Florida without his girlfriend, and the Petito family reported her missing ten days later.
A week ago, Petito's body was discovered on a remote Wyoming campsite, and her death was declared a homicide. Authorities are still trying to figure out what caused her death, and her body has not to be given to her family.
Mr. Laundrie has been missing since vanishing from his family's house in Sarasota County, Florida. Police are searching a 25,000-acre natural reserve in Sarasota County for him. The police have identified him as a subject of interest.
