New Documentary Reveals Chilling Details of Gabby Petito’s Tragic Death

PETERSBURG, Fla. – A new Netflix docuseries, “American Murder: Gabby Petito,” dissects the tragic relationship between 22-year-old Gabby Petito and her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, who was the prime suspect in her murder. The show presents extensive revelations about the couple’s road trip gone wrong and the actions Laundrie took following Petito’s death.

The series features stark details highlighted by new evidence, including text messages allegedly sent by Laundrie from Petito’s phone to fabricate an alibi after he murdered her. On August 28, 2021, Laundrie was reported to have hiked away from the couple’s last known location in Grand Teton National Park, messaging Petito’s phone from another location the following day. One message read, “Hey Hunny, just calling to let you know I made it to Colter Bay!”

According to FBI Special Agent Loretta Bush, the communications between the two devices were nearly instantaneous, implying that Laundrie was attempting to create a false timeline of events. The docuseries reveals that on August 30, Laundrie used Petito’s debit card while driving back to Florida and sent manipulated messages from her phone to her family.

Authorities later confirmed that Petito died of strangulation and blunt-force trauma, with her body discovered on September 19, 2021. Following Petito’s disappearance and murder, Laundrie himself went missing before his remains were found in October 2021. A notebook located near his body indicated he had confessed to killing Petito.

The series also touches on the couple’s tumultuous relationship, which began after they met in high school. Friends described Laundrie’s controlling behavior, noting instances where he allegedly restricted Petito’s interactions with others. Rose Davis, a friend of Petito, recounted Laundrie taking Petito’s identification to prevent her from going out with friends.

Gabby’s mother, Nichole Schmidt, shares in the docuseries, “I remember saying to Brian, ‘You take care of her. Keep her safe.’ And he looked at me, and he smiled, and he said, ‘I will.’” Unfortunately, this trust was tragically misplaced, with the series highlighting the stark contrast between the couple’s online social media portrayal and their real-life struggles.

The docuseries provides a comprehensive look into the events leading up to Petito’s murder, covering their road trip and the ensuing national search for her when she was reported missing. It also recaps the couple’s attempts to live out the #VanLife trend, gaining widespread attention which contributed to a massive public outcry for justice.

Reflecting on the overwhelming response to the case, a friend of Petito recalls, “When the news broke that they found her body…I just wanted to shut it off or wake up, like it was a bad dream.” The emotional impact of Petito’s death resonated deeply with friends and family, some of whom continue to speak out in her memory.

In early 2022, the Petito-Schmidt family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Laundrie’s parents, which was settled for $3 million. However, no criminal charges have yet been filed against them. As the nation continues to grapple with the complexity of domestic violence issues highlighted by this case, the docuseries aims to shed light on Gabby’s story and honor her memory.

The three-part docuseries is currently available for streaming on Netflix.