A Utah judge has dismissed a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Gabby Petito's parents against the city of Moab. The lawsuit alleged that police did not do enough to protect Petito during a traffic stop from the man who later killed her. The judge cited a state law barring lawsuits against government agencies and stated that the constitutionality of the law could be considered by the Court of Appeals.
Petito, 22, was traveling with her fiance in a camper van when they were stopped by police in Moab in August 2021. Police determined that Petito was the aggressor in a reported altercation, and the couple was asked to spend the night apart. Petito's parents reported her missing in September 2021 after her fiance returned to Florida alone.
The search for Petito gained international attention, highlighting issues of missing persons cases and disparities in media coverage. Petito's body was found in Wyoming, and her fiance, who was named a person of interest, later died by suicide.
An independent investigation found that Moab police made unintentional mistakes during their encounter with the couple. The lawsuit sought $50 million in damages, alleging negligence on the part of the police in handling the situation.
The attorney for Petito's parents argued that the police's actions may have emboldened the perpetrator and failed to protect Petito from harm. The attorney representing the Moab Police Department maintained that the city was not liable for the subsequent criminal actions that led to Petito's death.
The case has raised questions about law enforcement responses to domestic violence incidents and the responsibilities of government agencies in ensuring public safety. The dismissal of the lawsuit marks a legal development in the ongoing investigation into the tragic death of Gabby Petito.
