Suffolk Lawmakers Introduce Missing Adults Bill Honoring Gabby Petito

Legislators Ed Flood and Anthony Palumbo, both Republicans representing Port Jefferson and New Suffolk respectively in the New York State Assembly, have proposed a new law stipulating that the police must initiate a Teal Alert as soon as possible in cases of missing adults, particularly those who may be in danger, such as victims of domestic violence.

The Teal Alert system would function like the Amber Alert for missing children and Silver Alert for seniors and individuals with mental health problems at the national level. It was created to pay tribute to Gabby Petito, a native of Blue Point, whose highly publicized disappearance during a cross-country journey with her fiance came to an end after 19 days when she was discovered deceased and her death was determined to be a case of homicide by strangulation.

Flood revealed that being a father of five has motivated him to safeguard both his own children and those of other parents after being influenced by Gabby Petito’s case. He further added that Teal Alerts would be beneficial in safeguarding victims just as the Amber Alert is effective in locating missed children by informing the public and enlisting their support.

Flood expressed his dismay at the disturbing and unacceptable fact reported by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) that one person is physically abused by an intimate partner every 3 seconds in the United States.

In honor of Petito's passing, those close to her and supporters donned teal ribbons to symbolize her vibrant blue eyes.

In August 2021, Petito, then 22, was reported as missing. After being pulled over by the police for an apparent domestic altercation, Petito and her fiance Brian Laundrie were found. A month later, Petito's remains were discovered at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.

Laundrie acknowledged in written records discovered by Florida investigators that he was responsible for Petito's death. Prior to being located by authorities, he was declared missing and later discovered to have taken his own life.

Flood noted that the Teal Alert law will not be put to a vote on the floor in the current legislative session.

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