- Netflix just released a true crime documentary on the Gabby Petito case
- It’s called American Murder: Gabby Petito
- The documentary chronicles Petito’s life and the lead-up to her death
American Murder: Gabby Petito was released on February 17. The documentary covers the life and death of Gabby Petito. Netflix has also covered another true crime story in Apple Cider Vinegar.
That series is a TV show covering two wellness enthusiasts who claim they can cure life-threatening illnesses with unverified remedies. However, today we’re focusing on the Gabby Petito documentary.
Petito was a 22-year-old travel vlogger travelling across the USA with her fiancé Brian Christopher Laundrie in July 2021. Their first travel video, Beginning Our Van Life, was posted in August 2021 to their channel Nomadic Statik. In September 2021, Petito’s remains were found, and Laundrie’s were found in October 2021.
Laundrie died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Read More: How To Watch The Gabby Petito Documentary
The case drew mainstream media attention thanks to Petito’s disappearance in August. Laundrie was observed alive and well after the fact, which raised suspicions among the public and law enforcement.
Since Petito’s 2021 murder, different versions covering her story have been released on retrospective platforms. However, now streaming giant Netflix has released its own Petito documentary, with her family and close friends speaking out.
Before you delve into American Murder: Gabby Petito, here is the true story of the Petito Netflix documentary.
Who is Gabby Petito, the subject of the documentary?
Gabby Petito was a 22-year-old travel vlogger. She was born on March 19, 1999. Petito had six younger siblings and half-siblings. She graduated from Bayport-Blue Point High School in 2017. At her high school, she met her fiancé Brian Christopher Laundrie.
Petito and Laundrie did not date in high school. She began dating him in March 2019. Before that, she had lived in Carolina Beach North Carolina, Wilmington. During that time Petito had worked as a hostess.
Petito’s interest in cross-country traveling was sparked in 2019 when she and Laundrie traveled on a long drive from New York to California. After purchasing and redoing a camper van in 2020, Laundrie and Petito set out on their travels in July 2021. They were cross-country traveling across the USA.
Gabby Petito Netflix documentary: Timeline of Events
When did the case happen?
The case of Gabby Petito happened in August 2021. Netflix released a helpful timeline of the case you can view ahead of the documentary.
Domestic violence report
The case began on 12 August, when witnesses reported a domestic violence incident between Laundrie and Petito outside the Moonflower Community Cooperative. The couple were pulled over in their van in Moab, Utah. After questioning the couple, the police determined that Petito started the fight.
Witnesses reported that they saw a man slap a woman twice before they drove off. However, another reported that they saw Petito punching Laundrie’s arm. A witness also said it looked as if Laundrie was trying to leave Petito behind while taking her phone with him.
Law enforcement urged the couple to spend the night apart, they provided Laundrie with a motel to stay in. Laundrie flew home and later reunited with Petito on the road.
From 17 – 23 August, Laundrie was in Florida closing a storage unit he had left items in, his lawyers said. During this time, Petito stayed in a hotel near Salt Lake City International Airport.
Bodycam footage
Police bodycam footage captured Petito crying in the van on 12 August, the police officers point out physical marks on her arm and face. She speaks to the officers and says that Laundrie, “kept telling [her] to shut up”.
Laundrie also spoke to the officer, he said that he told her to calm down and not go anywhere, but she “had her phone and was trying to get the keys from [him].”
The 22-year-old said to the officer she was the aggressor of the situation. During the confrontation, one of the officers wrote in his report: “The male tried to create distance by telling Gabby to take a walk to calm down. […] She did not want to be separated from the male and began slapping him. He grabbed her face and pushed her back as she pressed upon him and the van.”
The two were separated by that point even though they requested not to be by the officer.
22 August – Reaching Out to An Ex
It’s reported that on August 22 Petito reached out to an ex-boyfriend, Jackson. In messages, she hints that she and Laundrie had fallen out. Apparently, she also alluded to breaking up with Laundrie soon.
25 August – Final Instagram Post
On 25 August, Petito posted her final photo on her Instagram of her holding a crotchet pumpkin with the capture, “Happy Halloween.” The post was taken outside a butterfly mural in Odgen, Utah.
Also on this day, Petito’s mother reportedly said it was the last time she had spoken to her daughter.
27 August – Caught on CCTV/last sighting
Petito and Laundrie were filmed at a Whole Foods Store in Jackson, Wyoming. They entered the store at 2:14 pm and left at 2:30 pm, according to reports. They got on Highway 89, which is the road leading to the Grand–Teton National Forest campsite at around 2:56 pm.
Also on this day, Petito contacts Jackson on Snapchat from Wyoming, lining up with her and Laundrie’s location. In a text, she reportedly said she was thinking of him and tried to call him, although Jackson didn’t answer.
28 August – Brian Leaves the Camping Area
On this day Laundrie left the Grand Teton National Park to go to Colter Bay Village, Wyoming. He documents photos along the way and speaks with his mother for an hour.
29 August – Back to Campsite
The next day, he gets a ride from Colter Bay toward Jackson, Wyoming. A witness spots him on the side of the road hitchhiking and gives him a ride to the Spread Creek Campsite. Here he claims Petito is waiting for him.
30 August – Activity on Petito’s Card
While beginning his drive back home to Florida, Laundrie transferred himself $700 for gas from Petito’s account with a memo pretending to be her. Also during this time, although with conflicting dates, a text is sent to Petito’s mom Nicole referring to her grandfather by his first name.
Nicole finds this suspicious and believes someone is texting on her daughter’s phone.
1-11 September – Texts and Missing Report
From September 1 – 7, Petito’s mother texted her daughter only to receive no response. On September 9 she texted Petito’s dad Joe to see if he’s heard from her, which he denied. Her parents and ex-Jackson begin to call her phone to no answer.
Gabby’s mother texted Laundrie’s mother Roberta, and her text message turned green, hinting at the phone being turned off or the contact being blocked. At the same time, Petito’s father texted the Laundries as well but received no response. Subsequently the next day Petito’s family posted on social media about her disappearance.
11 September – Petito reported missing
On this day Petito is reported missing by her mother after hearing nothing from her daughter. Her family called the US Park Police and the North Port Police in Florida. When the police went to the Laundrie’s house to find out about Petito, they are directed to a lawyer.
After this, the search for Petito begins.
Investigation
13 – 15 September – Laundrie Seen
With suspicion mounting up, an investigation began while searches went on for Petito. On 13 September, a person believed to be Laundrie was seen at his parent’s home. On 15 September, police say they saw him, although this was later confirmed to be his mother.
17 September – Reported Missing
On 17 September, Laundrie is reported missing by his parents who say he went missing after a hike in the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park.
18 – 19 September – Police request for evidence and body found
During this time the police asked for help in locating Petito. On 19 September, her body was found in the Spread Creek camping area in Wyoming. Her death is instantly ruled as a homicide. The details of Petito’s death reveal she died by homicide because of “blunt-force injuries to the head and neck, with manual strangulation”.
20 October – Laundries’s Body is Found
During this time Laundrie is missing. Police started searching for Laundrie after issuing an arrest warrant on 23 September. At the time, the warrant is for using Petito’s card without permission. On 20 October, Laundrie’s skeletal remains are found in the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park.
23 November – Cause of Death Revealed
It is revealed that Laundrie died because of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. This alludes also to his death being a suicide.
There is more information on the case, including information released by the FBI and Laundries’s family, but that’s a separate issue. To see the real story on-screen you can stream American Murder: Gabby Petito on Netflix now.
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.
