Holidays

Marking its 60th anniversary, Sarah Marshall unveils the hidden gems of the famous 268 mile Penine Way, along with the best offers to visit it for a summer staycation.

Britain’s country paths have been traversed by thousands of pilgrims and hikers over the centuries, but the first official national trail was only introduced in modern times.

Inspired by America’s Appalachian Trail, journalist and rambler Tom Stephenson published an article in the Daily Herald calling for a “long green trail” that could form “the backbone of England”. It took 30 years of battling with landowners for his dream to become a reality, with The Pennine Way finally inaugurated on April 24, 1965.

Stretching for 268 miles from Edale in Derbyshire to Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders, the path winds through three national parks: the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales and Northumberland. It crosses forests, moorlands and ancient Roman remnants along Hadrian’s Wall, with a total ascent exceeding the height of Mount Everest.

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Beyond its recreational significance, it marked a watershed moment in Britain’s access rights movement, opening up wild areas to all citizens and paving the way for more national trails.

In honour of this month’s 60th anniversary, hundreds of travellers are expected to visit the North of England, either to hike part of the path or simply enjoy the natural ­surroundings. These are some of the best ways to commemorate one of the world’s most important rambling routes.

Hike a scenic section

Rather than tackle the full thing, sample a standout section on a new four-night guided walking holiday. From a base in Appleby-in-Westmorland at one of the trailheads, venture out each day to explore an area lying between the Pennines and the Lake District fells.

Follow a disused railway line over viaducts, admire the deep glacial gorge of High Cup Nick, and marvel at the stone structures of Nine Standards Rigg. Stroll along the River Eden, explore market town Appleby and visit Rutter Mill, a water-powered corn mill, and the waterfall.

Book it: The four-night Enchanting Eden Valley tour starts from £649 per person, including half-board accommodation and guide. Departs July 7, August 18 and September 15, 2025. rambleworldwide.co.uk

Dine on fine food

Inns served as a literal lifeline for medieval travellers passing through Northumberland. Many provided shelter for pilgrims moving between the treacherous border region between England and Scotland.

One of the oldest buildings still standing is in the honey-bricked village of Blanchland, overlooking the moorlands. Dating back to the 12th century, The Lord Crewe Arms has since been remodelled as one of the region’s top culinary boutique hotels with a choice of dining rooms and cosy nooks for sipping locally brewed pints. As part of a new monthly Taste of the North East series, guest chefs from the region will treat diners to a menu of seasonal delights, with 75% of all profits donated to charity. On April 28, Damian Broom, executive chef at Seaham Hall, will be helming the kitchen.

Book it: Tickets from £75 per person, including a welcome glass of sparkling wine and coffee. Wine pairings extra. Doubles at the Lord Crewe Arms from £160 per night, including breakfast. lordcrewearmsblanchland.co.uk

Get on your bike

Not everyone has the stamina to hike but that doesn’t mean missing out. “While the 268-mile stretch is primarily a walking route, road trippers can choose to take the easterly A1 passing through Leeds, Durham and Newcastle, or the westerly M6 through Manchester and the Lake District,” ­recommends Max Schmidt, head of CamperDays.

“Picking up a four-person roadsurfer Surfer Suite van from Manchester, April 26 to May3, will cost £723 total, while a four-person Bunk Campers Mystery 2 from London will cost £565. For something a little more luxurious, picking up the four-person McRent Comfort Luxury from Manchester over the same dates would cost £1,055 total.”

Book it: Visit camperdays.co.uk

Witness local wildlife

Some of the biggest beneficiaries of protected areas are undoubtedly the wild species that inhabit them. Thanks to conservation efforts, Britain’s wildlife manages to thrive in national parks. The reservoirs and woodlands of the Pennine Way are home to many bird species and Britain’s only ­mountain hare.

Focusing on the Peak District, wildlife specialists Naturetrek offers a dedicated birding day trip led by naturalist Matthew Capper, with a chance to see moorland birds like the ring ouzel, curlew, whinchat and wheatear. Visit a blanket bog to see important populations of golden plover and dunlin, and head to woodlands for pied flycatchers and redstarts.

Book it: Dark Peak day trips from £60 per person. naturetrek.co.uk

Sip blended botanicals

A strenuous hike deserves a decent liquid reward. Along with fine food and beers, world-class gins are produced in this part of the world, providing an opportunity to sample nature’s delights in a different way. Part of Northumberland National Park’s Hepple Estate, which has moved away from sheep, commodity timber and game shooting towards rewilding, the Hepple Spirits Distillery is set in one of Britain’s most biodiverse landscapes.

Learn about conservation efforts and sustainable techniques used to harvest botanicals including hawthorn, Douglas fir, lovage, bog myrtle and blackcurrant leaves. A private tour can be arranged for guests staying at the historic Kirkstyle Inn in Slaggyford, an ideal base for walkers on the trail.

Book it: Hepple distillery tours from £55 per person. hepplespirits.com. Rooms at The Kirkstyle Inn are available from £170 B&B per night. theksi.co.uk

Charlie Sampson competes in the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City in December 1982.

(Denver Post / Getty Images)

Bull rides, rope tricks and a crowd just as focused on history as the thrill — the inaugural Charlie Sampson Rodeo is set for June 28 in Norco, Calif., and it’s already shaping up to be a high-octane event, as well as a tribute to the Black cowboys who helped shape American history.

Born and raised in Watts, Sampson made history in 1982 as the first Black man to win a world championship in professional rodeo. Now 67, he’s launching this rodeo in honor of the cowboys he rode alongside, many of whom, he says, “have passed on but left their mark right here in the L.A. area.”

“I’m doing this for my fallen friends,” Sampson says. “They were part of this community, this culture. They deserve to be remembered.”

The all-day event will feature classic rodeo competitions including bull riding, calf roping and barrel racing alongside community programming that celebrates Black western heritage. Expect food vendors, family-friendly activities and special tributes to the cowboys who came before. Sampson also has invited a roster of riders who reflect the next generation of Black rodeo talent.

Even now, Sampson brings cowboy fire to everything he does. “If I didn’t get a good score, I’d go back, watch the video and go straight to the judges: ‘Tell me where I messed up,’” he recalls. “I made it hard for them to ignore me.” Trust us — you can’t ignore Charlie Sampson. If this rodeo is anything like his spirit, you’re in for one unforgettable ride.

Tickets are on sale now via Eventbrite: $39.19 for general admission, $23 for children 12 and younger, and $81.88 for VIP access.

A MUM took her own life after her mortgage rose by £500-a-month and her benefits plea was rejected, her devastated daughter says.

Kathleen Moore, 60, spent four years struggling to make ends meet due to soaring interest rates on her mortgage.

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She was forced to rely on foodbanks and even rented out rooms in her home to help with her finances.

Kathleen applied for personal independence payment (PIP) and Universal Credit but was told she didn’t meet the criteria – due to her age and because she had a mortgage.

As a result, the mum-of-two had to work at least 30 hours a month as a dog sitter – despite suffering from osteoporosis.

Her daughter Amy Evans was left “devastated” when she got a call in August 2024 revealing her mum had taken her own life.

The 37-year-old, from Lowestoft in Suffolk, said: “She’d talk about money so much.

“It consumed her – the worry – for such a resilient person.

“She wasn’t entitled to Universal Credit because she had a mortgage. She wasn’t poorly enough for PIP.

“Everywhere she turned there were no answers. If someone had helped – she’d still be here.”

Amy said she noticed her mum started stressing about money after she broke up with her partner four years ago.

The couple had been together for ten years but after they went their separate ways, Kathleen’s mortgage rose to around £600-a-month.

Due to her health issues, Kathleen was only able to work so many hours a week and became so desperate she applied for benefits.

Amy said: “It took its toll on her.

“It took a lot for her to ask for help – I think she was ashamed.”

Tragically, the family did not realise how bad things had got as Kathleen would always appear to “get back on her feet”.

On August 13, 2024, Amy was told her mum had attempted to take her own life and was in hospital.

Kathleen passed away two days later after the family made the agonising decision to switch her life support off.

Amy said: “It wasn’t really until she’d gone that we looked at all the paperwork and saw how desperate she’d become.

“She could never really make ends meet.

“She got desperate and bought into loan sharks.

“She was so worried all the time about having a roof over her head.”

Amy is now fighting to change support for those aged over 60 to prevent any further tragedies.

She wants to see a review into the eligibility criteria for Universal Credit and PIP to ensure individuals aged 60 and over who are self-employed, carers, or single without dependents are no longer “unfairly” excluded from vital financial support.

Amy also wants to see a dedicated mental health counselling service for those aged 60 and over.

She has launched a petition in a bid to help others and believes if Kathleen had spoken to someone, she would still be here.

Paying tribute to her mum, Amy said: “She was the life and soul of most parties when she was younger.

“I hope the petition will save someone else.”

If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.

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New data has revealed the best time to visit Botswana for a budget-friendly getaway, with hotels offering up major discounts in May – and pints can cost as little as £1.81

If you’re yearning for an unforgettable African adventure that won’t empty your wallet, May is the ideal time to jet off. New data from Go2Africa’s comprehensive travel price analysis reveals Botswana as the most affordable African destination in May, with average hotel prices plummeting by a staggering 54.04% compared to the rest of the year.

This means you can discover the abundant wildlife, shimmering salt pans, and serene waterways of the Okavango Delta without splashing out. And there’s more good news for budget-conscious explorers – pints in local pubs can cost as little as £1.81, according to Finder, making Botswana not just a haven for nature enthusiasts but a pocket-friendly one too.

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The cost of travel, it seems, isn’t just about where you go, but also when. Go2Africa’s report, which scrutinised millions of global hotel bookings, found that timing your trip right could slash accommodation costs by up to 83 per cent.

While December is globally the priciest month to travel due to holidays and peak tourism, May emerges as a golden opportunity for savvy globetrotters, reports the Express.

Botswana tops the list for savings this month, followed by other economical African treasures like Malawi, Mozambique, and South Africa, all offering hefty discounts as the tourist season kicks into gear.

May is a prime time to visit Botswana. It heralds the start of the dry season, bringing cooler temperatures and fewer mosquitoes, making it perfect for safari escapades.

National parks are less crowded, wildlife spotting is top-notch, and luxury lodges become more attainable thanks to their reduced accommodation rates.

Botswana, renowned for its eco-luxury and conservation-centric tourism, also offers budget-friendly experiences in its capital, Gaborone, and local villages.

From mouth-watering street food to locally brewed beer that won’t break the bank, there’s plenty to enjoy.

So, if you’re yearning for an affordable adventure, choosing Botswana in May could be your best travel move this year.

Owen Willis rushed to Heathrow after work and landed in New York at 11pm before partying all night, cramming in all the sights, and still making it into the office on Monday

A penny-pinching traveller claims his wild weekend in New York cost no more than a day out in London – after jetting off to The Big Apple ‘without spending a penny’.

Owen Willis had always dreamt of visiting New York, US, so he cashed in all 50,000 of his British Airways reward points to cover the pricey flights just three days before take-off. The 23-year-old dashed to London Heathrow Airport straight from work last month [March 28], caught some shut-eye on the plane and touched down at John F. Kennedy International Airport at 11pm EDT.

He hit the nightclubs until 3am, grabbed a few hours sleep before checking out at 9am to embark on a 40,000-step tour of New York’s famous landmarks. Owen traversed Brooklyn Bridge, popped into Grand Central train station, enjoyed a leisurely walk through Central Park and even sampled one of the city’s renowned bagels.

The marketing employee avoided luggage fees by only carrying a small bum bag containing a spare pair of boxers, toiletries and a phone charger. He initially planned to fly back on Sunday, but a chance meeting at a bar persuaded him to postpone his flight until the following day.

READ MORE: ‘Second-busiest’ UK airport remains the worst for flight delays – see full list

Fortunately, the change was free of charge, allowing him to return to his London home with just two hours to freshen up and head to work on Monday morning. Owen reckons his ‘crazy’ trip, including accommodation, food and drink, and transport, set him back £443.90, which he equates to his typical spend for a day at London festivals.

Owen, hailing from Canada Water in South East London, said: “New York’s been on my bucket list for so long and I really wanted to go but I work in a corporate job so annual leave is obviously limited. I always try to make the most of my weekends and do things that don’t require me to take time off.

“I’ve been an avid Avios collector for the past two years and a return flight to New York was 50,000 Avios and £100 in taxes. It was super last-minute just because I really wanted to and I was having major holiday blues so I thought, ‘what’s the best cure for holiday blues? It’s another holiday.’

I was feeling really anxious at the airport. I was just like, ‘this is actually insane what I’m doing.’ I arrived at my hotel and checked in about 1am but I just opened the hotel room, sat down and left again. I went straight to Hell’s Kitchen area where there’s a lot of gay bars. I had a great time and then I was really tired so I went back to the hotel at 3.30am.”

While the trip may seem expensive to some, Owen claims it is a relatively small amount, given how much he forks out on events in his home city. “I’ve done day festivals in London where I’ve spent probably the same amount of money when you factor in the ticket, transport and drinks,” he said.

The frugal globetrotter tapped into Chat GPT to craft his day’s agenda and post five hours of shut-eye, checked out from his hotel to soak in New York’s bustling vibes. Later, whilst juicing up his phone at a bar, he encountered a persuasive local who talked him into shifting his return flight to Sunday.

Despite the manic Monday morning, Owen professed he’d jump at the chance to do a rapid round-trip again, quipping: “I had the quickest shower of my life, got changed and just went straight to the office at 9am. It was insane to tick something like that off my bucket list and I would definitely now go back to New York.

“I’d go for longer now I know the places to go and I have people to see now, which is good fun. I would 100% do something like this again.”

Here’s a breakdown of what Owen’s bite-sized Big Apple adventure cost him:

Flight tax: £100.

Esim card: £17.

Journey to Manhattan: £9.15.

Hotel stay: £150.

Subway fare: £6.75.

Beverages: £56.

Food: £93.

Coffee: £12.

Grand total: £443.90.

Hotel employees have warned guests that they could be ruining the experience for others if they try out the trick

People have been warned they could be ruining the fun for everyone else if they try to get holiday freebies by pretending they’re on a honeymoon. The popular hack is often used by couples hoping for a free hotel upgrade or similar perk.

However, the trick could put a dampener on other guests’ holidays, despite your best intentions. Employees explained why they’d advise against the hack after a TikTok user went viral promoting the idea. Social media user @rod.davis35 wrote: “Unethical travel hack: Fake a honeymoon at check-in.

“You’d be surprised how many upgrades, free drinks or room service vouchers you can score with a simple, ‘It’s our honeymoon!'” The video received over 200,000 views and thousands of likes.

Not everyone was a fan of the hack, though. Someone commented: “This is exactly why the hotel I worked at didn’t offer anything extra for people actually on their honeymoon, or their birthday at the hotel.”

A different response read: “As a receptionist: if you are on a REAL honeymoon and don’t get special attention, you can say thank you to all these liars who try every other day.”

A similar comment added: “You have no idea how many guests we get telling us it’s a birthday trip and their birthday was five months ago.” Another hospitality worker wrote: “As a hotel worker, we know your tricks don’t be so sure!”

When a commenter replied: “But you can’t really make them prove it, right? So you kinda have to believe them,” they added: “No we don’t, simply because 90% if not more declare birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions. It’s so obvious now!! Some hotels finally ask for proof. You play dirty, we play fairly.”

Elsewhere, a viewer shared: “I got nothing for even my real honeymoon sooo it didn’t work for me,” while another replied: “I’ll have to try this out. Sounds like a great idea!”

While it might not be quite as glamorous as a hotel room upgrade, there are various birthday freebies that shoppers can claim. From beauty gifts to sweet treats, big brands, including Greggs, Krispy Kreme, Boost, New Look, and Nike, offer birthday discounts or giveaways.

For instance, fans of Greggs, Krispy Kreme, and Boost can enjoy a free birthday treat if they download the relevant app or show their loyalty card.

If you’re after a birthday dinner deal, it could be worth checking out what’s on offer at Frankie and Benny’s, Bella Italia, Las Iguanas, Beefeater, TGI Fridays, Brewer’s Fayre, and Shepherd Neame pubs.

Alternatively, retailers like Nike, JD Sports, New Look and SimplyBe offer discounts if you sign up before your birthday.

A LEEDS fans was knocked out cold celebrating promotion to the Premier League.

Burnley’s win over Sheffield United meant the Clarets and Leeds have returned to the top flight.

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Daniel Farke’s side have led the way for the majority of the season and will now battle Burnley for the title.

Supporters were on cloud nine as Leeds thrashed Stoke 6-0 at Elland Road to all but book their place back in the Prem.

But one fan was knocked unconscious after hitting his head on the concourse floor.

The incident occurred by accident as the supporter tried to celebrate with a fan who had slide across the floor on his belly.

That fan ended up on top of the individual who was knocked unconscious and quickly got up as other fans continued singing.

Leeds fans have plenty to celebrate after bouncing back from a play-off final defeat last season to win promotion.

They could even become centurions if they beat Bristol City and Plymouth Argyle in their remaining matches.

The club are already preparing for life back in the Premier League by lining up a move to sign Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.

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Four-cap England ace Johnstone, 32, has lost his place at Wolves under boss Vitor Pereira.

The keeper has not played since December when Wolves lost 2-1 to Ipswich Town.

AN abuse victim who was stalked by her partner and tracked with a hidden Apple AirTag is urging women to check their partner’s domestic violence records.

Stephanie Boardman, 31, is now too afraid to leave the house after running away from her relationship with Franco Lucci, 33.

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The couple got together in 2022. While he seemed ‘charming’ at first, things went downhill after they moved in together.

Franco began to accuse her of cheating, got angry when she spoke with friends, called her names including ‘sl**’ and ‘b****’, covertly recorded her conversations, and even smashed her phone against a wall.

The mum-of-three said: “I’d reached a point where I couldn’t keep sleeping in the attic with my daughters in floods of tears, and having my eight-year-old stroking my head, telling me it was all going to be OK.

“It’s not normal, it should be the other way around. That was one of the final straws for me.

“I slept in the attic the night before I ran, with my 14-month-old son in the bed.

“I woke up because he was wet, he’d seeped through his pyjamas and the bedding.

“I got up, got him changed, and put him in the bed with Franco to keep him warm. Immediately Franco started going off on one again.

“I went down, got myself changed, took my son with me. I thought ‘this is it, if I don’t go now, I won’t go’, and I went.”

Just before they moved in together, one of Stephanie’s daughters found an Apple AirTag hidden under the seat in her car – which the now-convicted stalker said he had simply lost.

Later in the relationship, Stephanie found that Lucci had activated a Google Maps tracker on her phone without her knowledge after he texted asking why she was at a particular location.

Just weeks before she finally ran away, Stephanie found her boyfriend would know what she had been saying on private phone conversations with her own mother.

She later found out he had covertly placed a phone in their living room to record her while he was out.

Stephanie said: “I let a lot of things slide, because I did love him. He had that control over me.

“He had that power over me, I was completely in love with him so I did a lot of things that he did, and let the red flags at the beginning slide.”

Clare’s Law

Now, Stephanie, who lives in Wigan, Greater Manchester, is hoping to promote the use of ‘Clare’s Law‘, also known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme.

After reporting Franco to police in February 2024, she found out he was known to Avon and Somerset Police, having made ‘threats to kill’ a victim and punching a hole in a wall.

The disclosure also noted that Lucci had a non-molestation order against him in relation to one of his former partners.

The abusive partner was released pending police enquiries, but began to stalk his ex-partner in June 2024, trying to phone her 71 times and showing up at her home despite an order not to contact her.

I would recommend highly utilising Clare’s Law

Stephanie

Stephanie said: “I didn’t originally know about Clare’s Law, it was the police that applied for the disclosure on my behalf, because they deemed it in my best interest.

“Originally I retracted my statement. At that point I was still in love with him and very much in a fantasyland of ‘we’ll get back together and everything will be OK’.

“Then it just went worse. I got a fire in my bonnet. The Clare’s Law highlighted so much of his past.

“I would recommend highly utilising Clare’s Law.”

On April 7, Lucci, of Bolton, Greater Manchester, was sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for two years.

Bolton Crown Court

At Bolton Crown Court, Judge Nicholas Clarke KC said: “This is a case which involves insidious and pernicious behaviour by you, where you had used an AirTag and have activated the tracking of her phone on your device and used a secondary audio recording device in her home for up to 12 hours at a time to monitor every aspect of her life. “You have broken her devices and you have behaved in the most appalling manner towards her.”

He added: “You should really carry around a red flag to warn any future partners of your misconduct.”

The abuser was also given a restraining order for 10 years which means he can’t go within 50 metres of any address Stephanie lives at, and he’s subject to a five-month curfew from 8pm to 7am.

Stephanie says she’s glad justice has been served – but she is still too afraid to leave the home alone.

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She said: “I don’t work at the minute, due to everything that’s been going on. I haven’t left the house since February last year.

“I don’t leave the house on my own. One of his big threats was he was going to take [my son] and run away to Italy and I’d never see him again.

“That’s been one of the forefront fears in my head. If I go out on my own, without backup, if he approaches me all he has to do is grab the pram and he’s gone.

“I don’t leave the house out of fear of that.”

GABBY Petito’s mom has made shocking claims about Brian Laundrie and his parents, and shared her chilling theory in a bombshell interview.

Gabby, 22, was strangled to death on August 27, 2021, by her fiance Brian, 23, during a van road trip.

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Her body was found at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming during a nationwide manhunt. She’d been strangled to death by Laundrie.

He had driven back to his parents’ home in North Port, Florida, on September 1, in Gabby’s 2012 Ford Transit van.

Laundrie then disappeared as soon as cops began investigating his fiancee’s death.

On September 19, authorities found a body in Grand Teton National Park that was later identified as belonging to Gabby.

Investigators determines she tragically died by strangulation and had been dead for three to four weeks.

And a month later, Brian’s remains were found after he killed himself with a gunshot to the head.

Found near his body was a notebook, in which he confessed to murdering Gabby.

Gabby’s mom, Nichole Schmidt, recently appeared on The Squeeze podcast, where she revealed that during the time Brian was missing, his parents had already cleared out his room.

She said on the pod, hosted by Taylor Lautner and his wife Tay: “I actually just found out some new information a few days ago.

“There was [someone] that was at the house when Brian was missing – and I would say he was hiding, he wasn’t missing, but he was actually dead – but his room was completely gutted and renovated.

“None of his things were there anymore. It was gone.

“So that very same week, Gabby was missing and cops were going to their house to try to get, I guess, a scent from their dogs to look for Brian, all his things were gone. The room was completely empty, just gone.”

Grieving mom Nichole has previously said that she has to forgive Laundrie for what he did to Gabby, but the family remain upset with his parents, Christopher and Roberta Laundrie.

His parents have been accused of attempting to help their son cover up the murder before he went into the Florida wilderness and killed himself.

The pair repeated refused to speak to authorities while Gabby’s family searched tirelessly for their daughter.

Schmidt and Joseph Petito, Gabby’s father, accused the Laundries of trying to help cover their daughter’s murder, citing Roberta’s infamous “burn after reading” letter she wrote to Brian.

Gabby’s parents believe Roberta wrote the note around the time of their daughter’s disappearance as she makes references to a shovel and burying a body.

Nichole also revealed how the last time she spoke to the couple was when they traveled to New York to pick up Gabby’s things to take to Florida to then live with Brian.

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She said: “I think we texted a couple times, we were Facebook friends. I thought they were just quiet people and I’m okay with that.

“You don’t have to be my best friend but I never actually spoke to them after that until I saw them when they did the depositions for our lawsuit.”

She also recalled her frustration due to the Landries’ lack of cooperation in the investigation.

Nichole said: “Everybody feels the same. I don’t understand. I can’t comprehend anything.

“If it was the other way around, I would’ve called them immediately.

“I mean, I texted her asking if they’d heard from the kids. I said, ‘Did you hear from the kids? I haven’t heard from them’, and I got nothing back.”

She also made the bombshell claim on the podcast that it was because Brian’s parents knew he had killed Gabby.

The Laundries – who have not been criminally charged in connection to Gabby’s disappearance – have argued that the undated note was written before Brian and Gabby embarked on their cross-country road trip during the summer of 2021.

The Petito and Laundrie families reached a $3 million settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit in 2022.

Nichole added on the pod: “They said that there’s something wrong with that mother, she’s clearly not mentally well. And I’m like, ‘just add it to the list’, because I didn’t even know about that. That was crazy to hear.

“It drives me absolutely insane – that’s the one thing I can’t let go of, because I’m trying to figure out what can I do to make them pay for what they did, but there is really nothing I can do.”

Host Lautner asked why things had been allowed to be “stripped and cleaned and thrown away”.

Nichole responded: “The van was cleaned out, the mattress was never recovered, and then all the things were packed away in a closet – Gabby’s stuff was packed away in a closet.

“I mean, I don’t understand, I don’t get it. Just strange behavior.”

Timeline of Gabby Petito’s disappearance

Here we take a look at the sad events surrounding Gabby going missing:

• July 2021: Brian Laundrie and his fiancé Gabby Petito leave for a grip across the country. The couple visit numerous national parks across the way.
• August 12: Police in Utah respond to an incident involving the couple. The bodycam footage is not released for another month but it shows a visibly upset Gabby talking to police after reports of a domestic violence incident outside a grocery store.
• August 24: Gabby is seen leaving a hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah, with Laundrie.
• September 1: Laundrie returns to his home in North Port, Florida without Gabby.
• September 6: Laundrie joins his family on a camping trip about 75 miles from their home in North Port.
• September 11: Gabby’s family reports her missing.
• September 13: Laundrie leaves home to go hiking in Carlton Reserve, Florida. His family had initially said he departed on September 14, but revised their timeline weeks later.
• September 15: Laundrie is named a person of interest in the case of Gabby.
• September 16: Bodycam footage is released regarding the incident between Gabby and Laundrie.
• September 19: The FBI announces a body found at a Wyoming national park is believed to be that of Gabby’s.
• September 23: The FBI issued a warrant for Laundrie’s arrest claiming he “used unauthorized debit cards after Gabby Petito’s death.”
• September 26: A funeral is held for Gabby in New York.
• September 27: Dog the Bounty Hunter announces he will lend a hand and help search for Laundrie.
• September 28: Gabby’s family held an emotional press conference as the search for Laundrie continued.
• October 5: Laundrie’s sister, Cassie, appeared on Good Morning America and urged her brother to come forward.
• October 7: Laundrie’s father, Chris Laundrie, assisted law enforcement in the search to find his son.
• October 12: Gabby’s autopsy results were made public. Teton County Coroner Dr Brent Blue confirmed Gabby died by strangulation.  
• October 20: Laundrie’s personal items were found near the Myakkahatchee Creek Park trail in Florida. The medical examiner was called to the scene to investigate.
• October 21: Reports stated the human remains found in the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park were bones.
• October 21: The FBI confirmed the remains found have been identified as Laundrie’s.
• January 21, 2022: The FBI released its final investigative statement on Gabby’s case. The statement said, “The investigation did not identify any other individuals other than Brian Laundrie directly involved in the tragic death of Gabby Petito.”