Gabby Petito's mom, stepmom in Oregon work together to advocate for victims' rights

Editor's note: this article contains subject matter some may consider disturbing, such as suicide and domestic violence.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Gabby Petito's mother and stepmother are teaming up to raise awareness about supporting victims of domestic violence and their families.

Gabby vanished during a road trip in 2021. She was traveling in a converted van with her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, on a cross-country journey that began in Florida and was destined for Oregon, though she never made it.

Gabby documented much of the journey on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, with the couple having a regular following on social media.

She disappeared in August of 2021, kicking off a missing person case that unraveled into a murder mystery that gripped the nation.

Thursday marks the three-year anniversary of when her slain body was discovered, on Sept. 19, 2021, in a Wyoming national park.

Now Gabby's mother, Nichole Schmidt, and stepmother, Tara Petito, are joining forces in the destination of that road trip that Gabby never reached. They're both in Portland for a National Crime Bar Association Conference.

Speaking exclusively with KOIN 6 News, Nichole and Tara explained they created the Gabby Petito Foundation after Gabby's murder in order to help curb domestic violence and locate missing people.

"Every day, we wake up and grieve, some days are harder than others," Tara said. "It's a scar that's always going to be there. You think it'd get easier. It does not get any easier."

Both Gabby and her fiancé grew up in New York before they both moved to Florida. But the issue of missing persons extends to every corner of the nation, including Oregon. In fact, there are currently 154 people reported missing in just Multnomah County in 2024 so far, according to Oregon State Police.

Gabby's family said they're keeping her spirit alive by trying to help others find closure.

"I struggled this year, more than others, I don't know why," Nichole said. "I'm still working through it but helping others, because that really does help me with my grief."

Nichole, Gabby's mom, said she's formed an important but non-traditional bond with Tara, Gabby's stepmom.

"This definitely brought us closer and I think Gabby is really happy about that," Nichole said. "Her spirit is shining down, giving us signs all the time."

After Gabby's body was found in Wyoming, a weeks-long search for her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, commenced in a Florida swamp reserve. His body was eventually found in that reserve in October of 2021, having died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and a notebook admitting responsibility for her death.

Authorities concluded he strangled her at some point during the trip.

Gabby's family also sued Brian's family for wrongful death, settling out of court for $3 million. The lawyer for Gabby's family said at the time that whatever amount they got would go toward the Gabby Petito Foundation.

Through that foundation, Nichole and Tara are working to support programs relevant to the heavy topics in Gabby's case, including suicide prevention, mental health, domestic violence and missing persons. By helping others, they're also helping themselves heal.

"We are also victims of crime, so coming to something like this is advocacy work for us to give," Tara said. "But in return, we're getting so much love and respect from others."

"I'm able to live with joy after such tragedy because my daughter was that — and she inspires me to be that …and I feel her every day," Nichole said.

Their big goal is to help others spot red flags in domestic violence and avoid becoming victims. At the same time, they aim to teach young people how to break the cycle and never resort to abusing others.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.

If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, facing a mental health crisis or have concerns about drugs or alcohol use, call the 988 Lifeline.