Netflix has released a new documentary exploring the murder of vlogger Gabby Petito, but there are a number of crucial details that the true-crime series has omitted
The heartbreaking saga of Gabby Petito’s death has made its way to the screen with Netflix’s American Murder: Gabby Petito, but there’s more to the case than what was shown. The 22-year-old vlogger, known for her digital smiles, embarked on what seemed like an epic van life journey with her fiance, Brian Laundrie, during the summer of 2021.
They visited spots like Mystic Hot Springs and Canyonlands National Park, sharing their travels on social media. However, behind the scenes, trouble was brewing.
The last sighting of Gabby alive was at the end of August, with her final social media post the same month causing questions. Her mother, sensing something amiss, reported her missing on September 11 after Laundrie returned to Florida solo.
In a devastating turn, Gabby’s body was found on September 19, 2021, in Wyoming’s Bridger–Teton National Forest, with an autopsy revealing death by blunt force trauma and strangulation.
Laundrie became the prime suspect and subsequently vanished, sparking a nationwide manhunt. His remains were eventually found in Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park, Florida, with authorities deeming his death a suicide from a gunshot wound, reports the Mirror.
A note left by Laundrie stated chillingly: “I ended her life. I thought it was merciful, that it is what she wanted, but I see now all the mistakes I made. I panicked. I was in shock.”
Gabby’s distraught relatives were on a harrowing quest for justice following her tragic demise. The new documentary touched on the substantial monetary settlement Gabby’s family received, granted by a Florida judge who, in a landmark move back in November 2022, commanded Brian Laundrie’s parents to cough up $3million (roughly £2.5m) after they brought forth a lawsuit accusing them of deliberately thwarting efforts to find Gabby, knowing she had been slain by their son.
Christopher and Roberta Laundrie remained tight-lipped, offering no aid to investigators during the critical search. In a shocking documentary revelation, viewers learnt that Roberta had penned a “burn after reading” note to Brian, insinuating assistance in hiding a body, borne out of maternal devotion.
Despite claims that the letter was written before Laundrie and Gabby’s trip, its lack of a date only added to the family’s anguish.
The Petito family’s lawyer released a heartrending statement after the court ruling, saying: “The Petito family lost their daughter, and they were also denied the opportunity to confront her killer. No amount of money is sufficient to compensate the Petito family for the loss of their daughter, Gabby, at the hands of Brian Laundrie.”
Adding a silver lining, he noted that the money awarded will be funnelled into the Gabby Petito Foundation, set up in Gabby’s honour to “prevent domestic violence and support the search for missing persons through education, awareness, and prevention strategies”.
In a second legal wrangle, CNN learned that a February 2024 settlement was quietly brokered with the Laundries to bypass more legal fees and personal heartache. Should the settlement not have been reached, both camps would’ve faced off in court that May.
Both parties went quiet about the details of the deal following the family’s wish “to avoid further legal expenses and prolonged personal conflict”.
Joseph and Nichole Petito confessed they wanted to put all the misery behind them, stating: “Our hope is to close this chapter of our lives to allow us to move on and continue to honour the legacy of our beautiful daughter, Gabby.”
In a dramatic twist, Gabby’s heartbroken family filed a mega lawsuit against Utah’s Moab Police Department back in November 2022, demanding a jaw-dropping $50m (£39.6m) for what they call “negligence” by the cops, which they say led to her wrongful death. In a tragic tale, the grieving parents pinned the blame on officers for not stepping in when it mattered most, after a 911 call tipped them off that Gabby had been slapped by Laundrie.
On that fateful day of August 12, 2021, when the lovebirds were stopped for dodgy driving, an eye witness claimed to have spotted Laundrie “slapping” Gabby. But she confessed to hitting him too, making the police mark her as the “primary aggressor”.
Following police procedure they were told to split for the night, with no cuffs slapped on anyone.
Nichole and Joseph unleashed a legal bombshell originally, accusing the Moab Police Department of bungling due to duff hiring and rubbish training. Fast forward to November 2024, their first fight for justice got knocked down by the courts, but that didn’t stop the Petitos.
They powered through, launching an appeal with a freshly amended complaint. Leaked court docs from The US Sun in July spelled out the chilling lines: “In this case, Brian Laundrie murdered Petito 15 days after they left Moab together.
“During that 15-day interval, Petito had her van, keys, and contact with her family. Instead of leaving Laundrie, she drove with her fiancé to Wyoming – 400 miles away from Moab. Moab’s police department did not cause Petito’s engagement to Laundrie, her decision to remain with him, her decision to continue driving to Wyoming, or Laundrie’s criminal conduct weeks later.”
The department added: “Petito’s murder is an undeniable sorrow. Laundrie’s crime was undisputedly depraved. But the judicial system is not a substitute for a GoFundMe campaign; heartbreak is not enough.”
In their 14-page motion to dismiss, they also cited several instances where crimes were committed after interactions with police officers. Mitchell A Stephens, the attorney representing the Moab Police Department, previously told The US Sun: “The Moab City Police Department did not cause Brian Laundrie to murder Gabrielle Petito.”
He continued: “When called, Moab’s officers responded with kindness and respect. They also separated Ms Petito and Mr Laundrie for the night. The next morning, Ms Petito and Mr Laundrie chose to continue their ongoing road trip, travelling hundreds of miles together over the following weeks.
“The plaintiffs’ $50million demand appears to be a publicity stunt. Even if the plaintiffs believe that Moab City is liable, it strains credibility to suggest the City is 15-20 times more responsible for Ms Petito’s death than Brian Laundrie, her murderer.”
The Petito family’s lawyer, Judson Burton, said in a statement: “Gabby’s family is determined to see justice served. They have appealed to the Utah Supreme Court, hoping to change the law to prevent future victims of domestic violence from slipping through the cracks of an inadequate system. Their courage and resilience in this ongoing legal fight are poised to have a lasting impact on the state’s approach to law enforcement and governmental accountability.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
