- Vlogger Gabby Petito was found dead in the summer of 2021
- She was travelling with her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, in a van
- Her murder was investigated by figures such as Loretta Bush
Loretta Bush played an instrumental part in the Gabby Petito murder investigation.
She features in the new Netflix documentary series American Murder: Gabby Petito. The show follows the events surrounding the 22-year-old travel vlogger’s death.
Her remains were found in the summer of 2021 after an incredibly high-profile manhunt for her killer, her ex-boyfriend, Brian Laundrie. As a couple, they had embarked on a road trip across the US.
Their relationship, as the investigation revealed, was dogged by the potential of domestic violence. There was a notable incident in Moab that attracted passers-by to call the police. It ended with the pair being separated for the night and the suspicion that Petitio was the aggressor.
Read more: The real-life story of the Gabby Petito documentary
During the investigation, Brian was also found dead. It is believed he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The FBI agent unearthed a vital piece of evidence in the case. It was a letter from Brian’s mother, Roberta Laundrie. It featured a label to “burn after reading”.
What did the letter say?
Roberta’s letter was uncovered among Brian’s belongings. When asked about it in 2023, she denied it was “related to Gabby” and written before their road trip.
Read more: What is the Gabby Petito bill and the 12 questions
It read, “You are my boy, nothing can make me stop loving you. Nothing will or could ever divide us, no matter what we do. If you are in jail I will bake a cake with a file in it. If you need to dispose of a body, I will show up with a shovel and garbage bags.”
What else did Loretta Bush say about the Gabby Petito murder case?
Bush used her appearance in the Netflix three-parter to highlight that many other women go missing in the United States. They get less attention because they do not capture the same amount of sympathy due to not being white, blue-eyed blondes.
She admitted that the story was “unique, but I will tell you there are so many other people out there missing, and they are important, too.”
A news clip elaborated on this point, saying, “Petito’s story has renewed debate about which cases get attention and the media’s seeming infatuation with missing white women.”
The host of the Run Tell This podcast, Mara Schiavocampo, was featured raising the same point in the doc.
“Imagine the men, women, and children in the community where Gabby Petito went missing who know that, for the last 10 years, more than 700 Indigenous people have gone missing, and nobody has said a word, and one missing white woman turns up in their backyard, and the world pays attention,” she said in a clip, originally from CNN.
What was social media’s reaction to Loretta Bush?
Those reacting to the true-crime documentary found Bush’s interjection a welcome.
One person urged law enforcement departments nationwide to hire more people like her.
Hire more cops like this FBI agent #americanmurder #GABBYPETITO pic.twitter.com/H7dbyX0p5s
— 𝚠𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚕𝚕 (@trendy_wendy1) February 18, 2025
Another dubbed her “an amazing person” when revealing her contribution brought them to tears.
Loretta Bush is an amazing human!! I cried when she got chocked up.
— Sky (@Luna75309660) February 19, 2025
Many others echoed this sentiment.
“She getting choked up made me get choked up,” one person wrote.
She getting choked up made me get choked up
— I DO NOT RECALL 💙 (@heynowKentucky) February 18, 2025
“Agreed! I was in amazement by her,” another replied.
Agreed! I was in amazement by her! ⭐️
— SallyCinnamon (@MrsKelly2) February 19, 2025
If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
