In a recent development in the ongoing legal battle surrounding the tragic death of Gabby Petito, her parents, Joseph Petito and Nichole Schmidt, have filed an amended civil complaint on November 30. The complaint alleges that Brian Laundrie, Petito's fiancé, had informed his parents in a frantic phone call that she was "gone" three weeks before her remains were discovered.

The lawsuit targets Laundrie's parents, Christopher and Roberta Laundrie, as well as their attorney, Steven Bertolino. The Petito family accuses them of intentionally withholding information about Gabby's death, causing them immense pain and emotional distress.

Gabby Petito had been reported missing by her family in September 2021 after embarking on a trip with Laundrie. A few days later, on September 19, authorities discovered her remains in Wyoming, with the cause of death determined as strangulation by a coroner. Following the discovery, Laundrie returned to his Florida home and subsequently vanished into a reserve for weeks until investigators found his remains. The medical examiner ruled his cause of death as suicide, and writings found near his remains indicated his responsibility for Petito's death.

Joseph Petito and Nichole Schmidt have been engaged in a legal battle against Laundrie's parents for over a year, alleging that they were aware of their son's involvement in Gabby's death.

The amended complaint filed by Petito's parents reveals that on August 29, 2021, Laundrie made a phone call to his parents informing them that Gabby was "gone" and expressing his need for a lawyer. However, the complaint does not disclose how the Petito family became aware of this conversation.

According to the complaint, it is believed that Christopher and Roberta Laundrie immediately contacted their attorney, Steven Bertolino, and shared the distressing message conveyed by their son. Subsequently, on September 2, 2021, Laundrie's parents sent a retainer fee to Bertolino, who then entered into a fee agreement with a criminal defense law firm in Wyoming on behalf of Brian Laundrie.

CNN has reached out to attorneys representing the Laundrie family and Steven Bertolino for comment on the matter.

It is important to note that the Petito family initially alleged in the spring of 2022 that Christopher and Roberta Laundrie were aware of their son's involvement in Gabby's death. An amendment to the lawsuit followed shortly after, claiming that while authorities were searching for the missing young woman, Laundrie's parents were aware of her death and knew "the whereabouts of her body."

In a significant development, a Florida judge ruled in favor of Petito's family in a wrongful death suit against Brian Laundrie's estate in November 2022. The judge awarded $3 million to Petito's mother, serving as the administrator of her daughter's estate.

The legal battle between the two families continues, as they seek justice and answers regarding the tragedy that befell Gabby Petito.