The tragic story of Gabby Petito, the 22-year-old aspiring travel vlogger whose disappearance and murder in 2021 captivated the nation, is being revisited in a new Netflix docuseries titled American Murder: Gabby Petito. The three-part series, released on February 17, 2025, sheds light on previously unknown details about Gabby’s final days, including new revelations from an ex-boyfriend who says she was afraid to leave Brian Laundrie.
The Case of Gabby Petito
In July 2021, Gabby Petito and her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, embarked on a cross-country van trip across the U.S., sharing their journey on social media. Their adventure, however, took a dark turn when Gabby went missing in September 2021. Weeks later, her body was discovered in Bridger-Teton National Forest, Wyoming, with an autopsy confirming strangulation as the cause of death.
- Brian Laundrie fled to Florida after her disappearance.
- His remains were later found in a Florida nature reserve, where he had died by suicide.
- A notebook recovered near his body contained a confession, where he admitted to killing Gabby.
New Revelations from the Netflix Documentary
The Netflix docuseries provides fresh insights into the case, including new interviews with Gabby's family, friends, and law enforcement. Key revelations include:
Gabby Confided in an Ex-Boyfriend Before Her Death
One of the biggest revelations from the documentary is that Gabby reached out to an ex-boyfriend, expressing fear about leaving Brian Laundrie.
"She was scared to leave him," the ex-boyfriend revealed, "but she knew she had to get out of that relationship."
This new detail suggests that Gabby may have realized she was in danger but felt trapped in the toxic relationship.
Emotional and Psychological Abuse Signs
The docuseries also analyzes interactions between Gabby and Brian during their trip, highlighting signs of control and emotional abuse:
- The infamous Moab police stop in August 2021, where officers pulled the couple over after a domestic dispute.
- Bodycam footage showed Gabby crying uncontrollably, while Brian appeared calm and dismissive.
- The documentary explores whether law enforcement missed warning signs that could have prevented her tragic death.
Gabby’s Family Continues Advocacy Work
Since Gabby’s passing, her family has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about domestic violence and missing persons cases:
- They launched the Gabby Petito Foundation, which helps victims of domestic abuse.
- Her mother, Nichole Schmidt, has spoken out about coercive control and red flags in relationships.
- The documentary highlights the importance of recognizing warning signs in emotionally abusive relationships.
Gabby’s mother: “If sharing Gabby’s story helps just one person escape an abusive situation, then her legacy lives on.”
Where to Watch the Documentary
- Title: American Murder: Gabby Petito
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
- Release Date: February 17, 2025
- Episodes: 3-part series
The documentary provides a deep dive into the case, offering a gripping yet heartbreaking retelling of Gabby's story.