In 2021, the sudden disappearance of 22-year-old Gabby Petito captured the nation's attention, quickly turning into one of the most followed true crime cases in recent memory. Petito had been documenting her cross-country journey with her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, on social media, showcasing what appeared to be a picture-perfect adventure in a converted camper van. However, as her social media posts grew less frequent and her family’s messages went unanswered, the once-happy tale took a dark turn. Petito's name became synonymous with a gripping real-life mystery, as questions arose about her whereabouts and her relationship with Laundrie.
The shocking twist came when Laundrie returned to his home in Florida, driving the couple’s shared van — but without Petito. Authorities were soon called to investigate, but when they questioned Laundrie, his parents insisted that they direct all inquiries to their lawyer. This only deepened the mystery, sparking intense media coverage and a wave of armchair detectives attempting to piece together the puzzle of Petito’s disappearance.
To dig deeper into this tragic story, Netflix has released American Murder: Gabby Petito, a gripping three-part documentary series. Premiering on February 17, 2025, the series gives voice to those closest to Gabby — her family and friends — and offers a deeper look at her life, the relationship that ultimately led to her death, and the media frenzy that followed. Using real text messages, video footage, and excerpts from her personal journals, the series paints a chilling portrait of a young woman caught in an abusive relationship behind closed doors, despite presenting an idyllic, "Insta-perfect" life on social media.
Gabrielle Venora Petito, born in 1999, grew up in New York where she was described by those who knew her as cheerful and creatively driven. Although Petito and Brian Laundrie ran in similar social circles during high school, it wasn’t until after graduation that they became romantically involved. As their relationship grew more serious, Laundrie convinced Petito to relocate to Florida to live near his family.
While things initially seemed to be progressing in their relationship, Petito eventually agreed to marry Laundrie. However, instead of planning a wedding, the couple decided to buy and convert a van into a mobile home, with the idea of embarking on a cross-country road trip. Though some of Petito's friends and family noticed troubling signs of Laundrie’s possessiveness and temper, Petito reassured them, insisting that their love was destined to last.
On July 2, 2021, Petito and Laundrie set off on their cross-country road trip, which Petito documented on her new YouTube channel. While their journey seemed full of promise, things took a dark turn on August 12, when police in Moab, Utah, responded to a report of a domestic dispute between the couple. A 911 caller reported seeing Laundrie slapping Petito, and when officers arrived on the scene, they found both individuals with visible injuries. Despite indications of violence on both sides, law enforcement ultimately decided that Petito had been the aggressor in the situation. They separated the couple for the night, but they resumed their trip together shortly after.
However, the end of August brought an even more troubling development. Petito was last heard from on August 27, 2021, when she was in Wyoming. In the days that followed, several witnesses reported seeing Laundrie in the area, including one woman who claimed to have driven him to a campsite entrance. During this period, Petito’s family received text messages from her phone, but they found the content of the messages suspicious — they seemed out of character and raised doubts about whether Petito herself had actually written them.
On September 1, Laundrie returned to Florida, alone, and refused to cooperate with the authorities. Petito’s family was left frantic, trying to piece together what had happened to their daughter. The case quickly turned into a media spectacle, and Laundrie became the prime person of interest. On September 17, Laundrie’s parents reported him missing, and a manhunt began in Florida. Meanwhile, the search for Petito continued in Wyoming.
The public's obsession with the case reached fever pitch, with media outlets and social media users alike pouring over every detail, hoping for answers. While authorities followed various leads and tips, the mystery deepened.
The saga took a devastating turn when, on September 19, 2021, authorities discovered Petito's remains in a remote area of Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National Forest. Her death was later ruled a homicide, caused by strangulation. In the weeks that followed, Laundrie's whereabouts remained a mystery until his remains were found on October 20, 2021, in a Florida nature reserve. A notebook found near his body contained a written confession in which Laundrie admitted to killing Petito.
The Netflix series American Murder: Gabby Petito not only documents the events leading to her tragic death but also examines the larger issues of domestic violence and the media’s obsession with sensationalized stories. Through powerful firsthand accounts, the series reveals a poignant story of love, manipulation, and loss. It sheds light on a young woman whose life was cut short and the ripple effect that her case has had on conversations surrounding domestic abuse and the need for more awareness around missing persons cases.
In newly released documents from the FBI related to the tragic case of Gabby Petito’s murder, a handwritten letter from Petito to her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, has emerged.
The case of Brian Laundrie, the prime suspect in the death of his fiancée Gabby Petito, captured the public’s imagination in a way few criminal cases ever do.
As the one-year anniversary of Brian Laundrie's death approaches, the following timeline captures key moments in the case, which is explored in depth in the documentary.
The long-awaited Netflix docuseries American Murder: Gabby Petito is set to debut on February 17, 2025, offering an intimate and heartbreaking look into the final days of Gabby Petito and her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, as they embarked on a doomed cross-country road trip that would end in tragedy.
The documentary will be available to stream on Netflix from February 17, 2025. The series, featuring shocking real footage and exclusive insights, is a must-watch for anyone following the ongoing conversation about Gabby Petito's life and tragic death.
Ahead of the release, you can view the chilling trailer for American Murder: Gabby Petito on Netflix's platform, offering a glimpse into the investigation, the intense media frenzy, and the heartbreaking final chapter of Petito's life.
The Gabby Petito Foundation, raises awareness about domestic violence while also creating tougher laws and policies governing how police respond to reports of intimate partner abuse and missing persons.
