The tragic story of Gabby Petito, whose death captured national attention, is the focus of Netflix's new docuseries, American Murder: Gabby Petito. 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.
Gabby Petito. Gabby Petito Instagram
Gabby Petito, 22, and her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, 23, excitedly post a YouTube video sharing their decision to downsize and live a minimalist "van life" while travelling across the country. They document their preparations and their first adventure in their newly converted 2012 Ford Transit Connect van, showcasing the freedom and excitement of their dream road trip.
The couple’s journey hits a rough patch when a concerned witness calls 911, reporting seeing Laundrie slap Petito outside a co-op in Moab, Utah. The altercation is captured in police bodycam footage, where both Petito and Laundrie admit to striking each other. Although the officers intervene, they ultimately classify the incident as "disorderly conduct" and neither is arrested. This incident raises significant concerns about the couple's relationship.
Pages from Gabby’s journal.
Nicole Schmidt, Gabby’s mother, receives an alarming text from her daughter’s phone, reading: "Can you help Stan, I just keep getting his voicemails and missed calls." Schmidt notes that Gabby rarely referred to her grandfather by his first name, which causes alarm. This cryptic message marks the last known communication with Gabby, deepening fears that something was wrong.
After Gabby’s family loses contact with her, they officially report her missing on September 11, 2021. Authorities are alerted that she had last communicated with them near Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, on August 25. This sets off a nationwide search, with both the Petito family and the public demanding answers about her whereabouts.
Police Visit the Laundries’ - footage reveals what happened when law enforcement went to the Laundries’ after Gabby was reported missing.
Laundrie, who returned home to Florida on September 1 without Gabby, is named a person of interest in her disappearance by authorities. Police begin investigating Laundrie’s actions after Petito’s last known communication. Laundrie’s refusal to cooperate with police during the investigation raises suspicions and leads to increasing public scrutiny.
In an emotional public plea, Gabby’s parents ask Laundrie’s family for help in locating their daughter. They claim to believe that Laundrie’s family knows more about Gabby’s whereabouts, suggesting they may have information about what happened. Despite this, Laundrie’s parents remain largely silent, refusing to cooperate with the investigation, prompting further outrage.
Gabrielle Petito with her dad, Joseph. Facebook
In a surprising twist, Laundrie himself is reported missing by his family. Police are informed that Laundrie left their home on September 13 to go for a hike in the nearby Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park. The authorities, now searching for both Laundrie and Petito, face increasing pressure to unravel the mystery.
The hunt for Brian Laundrie in Carlton Reserve. Photo credit: North Port Police
After an intense search, the FBI confirms on September 19 that Petito’s remains have been found in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park. The discovery shocks the nation, and it is confirmed that her death was a homicide. Authorities quickly shift their focus to Laundrie as the primary suspect in the case.
Gabby Petito. Joseph Petito Twitter
The FBI issues a federal arrest warrant for Laundrie on charges of unauthorized use of a debit card, which he reportedly used after Petito’s death. Although Laundrie is no longer a “person of interest” but a suspect, his whereabouts remain unknown, leading authorities on a nationwide manhunt for him.
Gabby Petito, Brian Laundrie. Gabby Petito Instagram
A private funeral service is held for Gabby Petito on September 26 in Holbrook, New York. Her father, Joseph Petito, speaks to mourners, urging them to honour his daughter’s legacy by being inspired by her life. He reflects on how Gabby’s story has touched so many people, encouraging others to follow their dreams and cherish every moment.
Gabrielle Petito. Facebook
In an emotional interview on Good Morning America, Brian Laundrie’s sister, Cassie, calls for her brother to turn himself in, expressing confusion and anger over his disappearance. She reveals that she didn’t know where Brian was, and if she had known, she would have cooperated with authorities. Cassie also openly criticises her parents’ refusal to speak out or share information.12
The Teton County coroner confirms that Gabby Petito’s cause of death was strangulation. The body had been exposed to the elements for three to four weeks before it was discovered. The coroner's announcement provides a grim confirmation of the brutal nature of her death and raises further questions about what happened in the days leading up to it.
Gabby Petito. Joseph Petito/Twitter
After weeks of searching, Brian Laundrie’s partial remains are found in Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park, near his home. Alongside the remains, a notebook and backpack are discovered. The discovery, which ends the search for Laundrie, raises new questions about how his body was hidden for so long despite an earlier search of the area.
The FBI confirms that the remains found in Myakkahatchee Creek are indeed those of Brian Laundrie. It is revealed that the remains were discovered in an area that had previously been underwater, explaining why they were not found during earlier searches. The news raises further speculation about Laundrie’s final days.
On the day Laundrie’s remains are found, his parents, Christopher and Roberta Laundrie, join authorities in the search for their son. They discover a white bag, which ultimately leads to the discovery of Brian’s remains. This development fuels the ongoing controversy over whether Laundrie’s parents were complicit in helping him evade capture.
Search for Brian Laundrie. Courtesy North Port Police
Laundrie’s cause of death is ruled a suicide by self-inflicted gunshot wound. This confirmation comes after weeks of uncertainty about how Laundrie died. His death brings a tragic and final end to the manhunt and the intense media frenzy that followed Petito’s disappearance.
The FBI releases information from Laundrie’s notebook, where he takes full responsibility for killing Gabby Petito. In the notes, Laundrie writes that he believed he was acting mercifully in ending her life, but the FBI concludes that he acted alone in the crime. The confession ends speculation about other possible perpetrators and closes the case. In June, 2024 the FBI released nearly 400 pages of evidence in Gabby Petito case, including letter Petito wrote to Brian Laundrie. Click here to view the documents.
In March 2022, Gabby’s parents file a lawsuit against Brian Laundrie’s family, accusing them of aiding and abetting Laundrie’s escape and preventing them from finding Gabby. The lawsuit demands justice for the emotional distress they suffered due to the Laundries’ alleged deceit and refusal to cooperate with the investigation.
Excerpts from Brian Laundrie’s notebook are released to the public, where he details his version of the events leading to Gabby’s death. Laundrie claims the killing was “merciful” and based on a belief that he was ending her suffering. His words are met with outrage from Petito’s family and friends, who reject his narrative.
A Florida judge denies the Laundrie family’s attempt to have the lawsuit filed by Gabby’s parents dismissed. The suit alleges that Laundrie’s parents knew about their son’s involvement in Gabby’s death and obstructed justice by not providing authorities with information. The judge ruled that the actions described in the lawsuit were “callous and cruel.”
Courtesy of Steven Bertolino
Gabby’s parents, Joseph Petito and Nicole Schmidt, continue to advocate for stronger laws regarding domestic violence and missing persons. They established the Gabby Petito Foundation to raise awareness and ensure that no other families suffer the same anguish. The foundation supports victims of abuse and aims to improve police response protocols for missing persons cases.
The Netflix series American Murder: Gabby Petito delves deeply into these tragic events, providing fresh insights through interviews, bodycam footage, and emotional reflections from those involved. It gives viewers an in-depth understanding of how Petito's life and death unfolded and the profound impact it had on her family and the nation.
