Gabby Petito, shown here on a police bodycam in Utah, was strangled to death, a coroner has said
Gabby Petito, shown here on a police bodycam in Utah, was strangled to death, a coroner has said Moab City Police Department / Handout

Brian Laundrie's parents are seeking to limit the scope of questioning during their depositions as part of a lawsuit filed by Gabby Petito's family.

Chris and Roberta Laundrie sought to avoid testifying about "irrelevant matters" in their depositions, according to court papers. They are asking a judge to limit the questioning to protect themselves from "annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, undue burden, and expense."

"This has been a truly heartbreaking experience for both families," the court document stated.

"The public who followed the case and the (p)laintiffs are likely curious about Brian Laundrie's life, his last days, his interaction with his parents, and the thoughts and feelings experienced by his parents," the motion stated. "But curiosity is not a reason to require the (d)efendants to discuss such personal and heart-wrenching details. Rather, the discovery must be relevant to the cause of action at issue."

An attorney for the Laundrie family is asking a judge to limit the couple's questioning to the time between Aug. 27, 2021, and Sept. 19, 2021 when Gabby Petito is believed to have been killed and the discovery of her remains.

"We are just looking to confine the questioning to matters and the time frame relevant to the claim that has been filed," Laundrie family attorney Steven Bertolino said.

Petito's family filed the lawsuit against Laundrie's parents in March.

The lawsuit claimed Laundrie's parents knew the location of Gabby's body as law enforcement agencies carried out a large-scale missing person investigation.

Petito's family also accused the couple of helping Brian cover up Gabby's murder and making plans for him to flee the country.

A trial is scheduled for August.

The Petito family also filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Moab Police Department.

In 2021, officers from the department pulled Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie over following a report of a domestic dispute. The officers determined Petito was the aggressor and separated the two for the night.

Gabby Petito's remains were discovered weeks later in the Teton-Bridger National Forest in Wyoming.

Read more