Gabby Petito’s case gained nationwide media attention, which played a huge role in the speedy discovery of her remains. Her parents now want to ensure everyone can benefit from the same coverage. According to TMZ, the travel vlogger’s family is working with politicians to make a national missing persons database easily accessible for everyone and for the expanded use of the government program, NamUs. 

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) is a resource center for “missing, unidentified, and unclaimed person cases across the United States,” according to the official NamUs site. The program is funded by the Department of Justice and it provides technology and investigative resources to help cases finding missing people and unidentified remains cases. However, it’s only available in 11 states. That’s where Petito’s family comes in. 

TMZ reported that the family reached out to several U.S. senators for a call to action in regards to expanding the accessibility to NamUs — a site that could potentially help others find their missing loved ones. According to Daily Mail, the bodies of at least nine missing people were found during the search for Petito and Brian Laundrie, which sparked the families urge to work closely with U.S. leaders about NamUs. Gabby’s father Joe Petito said the family was overwhelmed by the wave of positive responses they’ve received in their efforts to make change so far.

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