NEWSGabby Petito's Mom Opens Up About Making 'It Through Christmas' Without Her Daughter, Reveals 'It Was Hard, Sad And Filled With Tears'
Gabby Petito's family had a difficult first Christmas without their daughter.
The 22-year-old was reported missing on September 11, after her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, returned home from their summer road trip alone in her van. Gabby's body was found ten days later on September 21 at the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. The influencer's autopsy revealed she had been manually strangled.
Brian vanished shortly after his girlfriend was reported missing. His remains were discovered at the Carlton Reserve in Florida on October 20. He died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
Gabby's mother, Nichole Schmidt, posted a photo of her daughter on the beach looking at the ocean on Twitter on Sunday, December 26, after spending her first Christmas without her late daughter.
"We made it through Christmas, it was hard, sad and filled with tears," she candidly wrote. "But I know you are with us always, I feel you, I dream of you, I see the signs daily. Love you Gabby, always in my heart."
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"Sending love and prayers to all who are going through a hard situation. May you find peace, joy, and feel the love that surrounds you. Blessings to all!" the grieving mom added.
Gabby's father, Joseph, also posted a Christmas tribute to their daughter. "You’re our Angel now Gabby," he wrote on Instagram. "Guide your brothers and sisters to live their dreams. Keep sending us the signs so we know you’re with us."
"We love you, we miss you, we cry for you, and we smile when we see those signs. Merry Christmas in heaven to my baby girl. 💔💔💔😥#merrychristmas #angel #gabbypetito," he concluded.
Gabby's stepmom, Tara Petito, shared a tribute on Christmas Eve. "Life is so fragile," she tweeted along with a poem called "A Letter From Heaven," per The Sun. "This Christmas tell your loved ones you love them and hold them a little bit tighter because we are not guaranteed a tomorrow. Miss and love you so much my angel."
