Gabby Petito's Mother Asks Public to Share Missing Person Flyers

Five years after Gabby Petito's remains were discovered in Wyoming, her mother is urging the public to pay closer attention to missing-person flyers shared online. Nichole Schmidt stated that a single share can initiate a "ripple effect" that potentially leads to the discovery of a missing individual.

"What I would say with missing cases is, if you see missing flyers pass by your feed, stop and take a look," Schmidt told Fox News Digital. "Don't just share it quickly." She advised users to examine the flyer, check the comments for updates, and verify the source before sharing. "If it seems legitimate, maybe give it a share," she added, explaining that "you never know who might see that with your share, and it causes a ripple effect — and missing people have been found by regular people just sharing flyers."

Petito's remains were found on September 19, 2021, in a campground in Wyoming. Authorities believe she was killed by her former fiancé, Brian Laundrie, three weeks earlier. Laundrie returned to his parents' home in Florida in Petito's van and later died by suicide in a Florida environmental park. His remains were found about a month later after floodwaters receded.

Since her daughter's death, Petito's parents and stepparents have established a foundation in her name. The foundation aims to combat domestic violence and raise awareness for other missing person cases. They have also advocated for new legislation related to missing persons in states including Florida, Utah, and New York, as well as at the federal level. A significant focus for the family is also drawing attention to missing persons cases that have not received the same level of media coverage as their daughter's.