SOUTH VENICE — In an affidavit filed Monday, Brian Landry’s mother said the letter she wrote to him had nothing to do with Gabby Petito’s death, referring to the book all three enjoyed. I tried to deny that it had anything to do with what I did.

The statement called Brian Landry’s murder of Gabby Petito during a road trip out west as part of the motion for a protective order “an undeniably sad situation.”

It refers to a letter found to Brian from Roberta Landry. Though many believe his remains were found after his remains were found near Northport in the Myakkahatchie Creek Environmental Park on October 20, she claims the FBI owned it weeks earlier. But it wasn’t what she gave him during that period.

Her lawyer said the public was likely interested in the “language used”, making it appear as though she had something to do with the aftermath of Petite’s death.

“But Roberta Landry wrote this letter months before these events occurred,” her attorney said. As every parent knows, there are moments of intimacy and moments of separation in a relationship with a child.”

Roberta Landry said she didn’t realize what would happen in the next few months.

“At the time it was written, the letter was meant to be a lighthearted reminder of the stories they shared together.” No, but that was never my intention.”

Brian and Gabby

Petit’s murder at the hands of her boyfriend took place in late August 2021 in the Bridger-Teton National Forest, Wyoming.

Petite and Landry left Northport earlier that summer to explore America in a van, using the trip as an opportunity to post on social media.

Fort DeSoto Park

In October, Landry drove back in Petite’s van—without Petite. Petite’s family, concerned for her safety, called the authorities. According to the lawsuit, Landry’s family never responded to phone calls or text messages about the missing woman.

Before being declared missing in action, Brian Landry left his parents’ Northport home.his scattered ruins It was later found in Northport’s Myakkahatch Park with a handgun and a journal.

In the Journal, he was responsible for the death of Gabby Petite. His death was ruled a suicide.

she body found before him. An autopsy determined that she died of strangulation.

With no criminal proceedings to pursue, Sarasota County Civil Court Where Petito’s parents went in October 2021, they sued Laundrie’s parents and Brian Laundrie’s property.

Petit laundry

It was there that the words of the note, “burn after reading,” first appeared in the public eye, but Roberta Landry repeated the context, saying the letter’s provenance was long before her son killed his longtime girlfriend. .

She said she gave it to Brian before he left with Gabby Petite in early June 2021.

affidavit

“The purpose of the letter was to contact Brian while he and I were going through a difficult time in our relationship,” she said in an affidavit.

Roberta Landry suggests their relationship was strained, so she used childhood books in her letters to describe her love, referring to ‘Runaway Bunny’ and ‘Little Bear’ Did.

It says that Gaby Petite gave him a book called “Burn After Reading”.

“The back of the book instructs the reader to create a secret book and destroy it by ‘write then burn’. At the bottom of the back cover is ‘write, burn, repeat’. ’” she wrote in her affidavit. “Brian, Gabby and I used to joke about the book and the importance of being able to express yourself.”

She said the phrase came from that book and its inside jokes.

“In short, I was trying to connect with Brian and mend our relationship because he was planning to move out of the house. I hope this letter reminds him how much I love him.” was there.”

The civil case will be returned to the South Venice Court on March 13th.