Our Mission

The Gabby Petito Foundation is an IRS registered 501(c)(3) organization effective from October 22, 2021.

The mission of the foundation is to address the needs of organizations that support locating missing persons and to provide aid to organizations that assist victims of domestic violence situations, through education, awareness, and prevention strategies.

Gabby went missing while on a cross-country road trip that included visits to many of our national parks. After an intensive search it was discovered that Gabby’s life was tragically cut short. We wish to turn our personal tragedy into a positive. It is our hope that Gabby’s foundation will bring these important issues into the forefront of the public eye to the benefit of all our communities.

Gabby's Story

About Us

In September 2021, tragedy struck our family and friends. Our daughter Gabby was missing, and we would soon find out that she was murdered by her boyfriend while on a cross country road trip.

Gabby’s story spread like wildfire across the globe, we knew immediately we had to turn this tragedy into meaningful purpose. In the wake of Gabby’s murder, Gabby Petito Foundation was born. Our Foundation is rooted in the belief that we all have an inherent responsibility to make a meaningful difference in our communities. We are honored to be assisting organizations that provide immediate tangible help to survivors of domestic violence, and we are proud to work with organizations that assist with locating missing persons. With a variety of big ideas and goals, it is our hope to be at the forefront of positive and pro-active change with awareness, prevention strategies, and education.

We are proud of our efforts and could not have done this work without ongoing support we have received from around the world which is appreciated more than people could ever understand. Together, we can make a difference, save lives, bring missing loved ones home, and hopefully prevent tragedies like Gabby’s from happening to anyone else.

Our Board

Turning our tragedy into purpose, we formed the board of the Gabby Petito Foundation, four parents and a family friend who recognized the urgent need for advocacy, awareness, and prevention. Together, we are committed to supporting missing persons, assisting survivors, and working toward a future free from domestic violence.

President

People always ask, "how do you do it?" My answer is always the same, "knowing our daughters legacy has left an impact that can save many lives, that's what drives me."
I'm a mom of four amazing children, though Gabby is not physically here with us, she continues to show us her presence through unmistakable signs. My husband Jim has been my rock that helps me keep it together! I'm an artist with a degree in Graphic Design, loved my time as an EMT, and have learned so much through working with kids with disabilities in public school as a teaching assistant. Going to the beach is like medicine for me, traveling makes me happy and I find joy in the little things.
Since my beautiful daughter Gabby was murdered, here I am, an advocate for change in the world of domestic violence and missing persons. This path, one I never would have wished for or imagined, is what keeps me going when I see that "little ol' me" can help make difference in the world.
My mission, my hope, is to be a voice for victims, survivors, and their families to create meaningful change that can save lives, and help find the missing, in Gabby's memory.
Be a good human, love more, do more, and give more.