It appears that Gabby Petito’s relationship with Brian Laundrie was quite different from the idyllic portrayal she shared on social media, as she pursued her #VanLife dreams together.
Sadly, those accounts didn’t start pouring in until after she was dead.
Federal investigators determined that Brian was responsible for Gabby’s death in August 2021, which occurred just under two months into their journey. Their aspiration to travel across some of the most stunning locations in the United States in a 2012 Ford Transit Connect van and share the experience on YouTube was tragically cut short only a few days after she uploaded her initial video.
The Netflix documentary titled “American Murder: Gabby Petito” explores the troubled relationship between Gabby and Brian, the events preceding Gabby’s demise, the subsequent search for her, and ultimately, the tragic outcome when Brian ended his life in September 2021.
In this three-part series, old ground is covered again, but it introduces fresh perspectives through interviews with Gabby’s family, friends, former boyfriend, and investigators involved in the case. Directors Julia Willoughby Nason and Michael Gasparo additionally incorporate Gabby’s personal photos, videos, and journal entries (dramatically recreated using voice technology) to construct a clearer picture of what transpired between her and Brian behind closed doors.
On September 19, 2021, the body of Gabby was discovered in the Spread Creek camping area within Wyoming’s Bridger–Teton National Forest. Subsequent examination by the coroner determined that her death was a homicide, resulting from both manual strangulation and severe blows to her head and neck.
In a notebook discovered alongside his remains, Brian penned down that he had taken Gabby’s life. They were reportedly crossing a river at the time, and her injuries seemed so severe that she pleaded with him to alleviate her suffering.
The FBI called B.S. on his version of events, as did Gabby’s family.
In the series, Jim Schmidt stated that it became clear then we wouldn’t come anywhere near the answers we desired, as the only individuals who fully understood what transpired are no longer alive.
Jim was in Wyoming when Gabby’s body was discovered, necessitating a conference call to share the devastating news with Gabby’s mother, Nichole Schmidt, as well as her father, Joe Petito, and stepmother, Tara Petito.
Though her story is widely recognized, it still tugs at my heartstrings to see Gabby thriving in her videos, determinedly making the most out of this journey that, as we learned in the series, she grew less eager about, especially with Brian alongside.
In my role as a lifestyle expert, I’ve been closely following the case of Gabby Petito, and recently, the documentary “American Murder: Gabby Petito” has given us some fresh insights into her life and tragic demise. Here are some key takeaways that have illuminated the story even further.
In Netflix’s ‘American Murder: Gabby Petito’, Gabby Petito’s mother, Nichole Schmidt, described Brian Laundrie as being somewhat socially uncomfortable yet extremely courteous.
Jim Schmidt remarked that it was somewhat peaceful, but Joe Petito countered by saying that Brian had shaken his hand firmly and made direct eye contact with him.
After completing high school, Gabby and Brian started dating – it was love at first sight for him, as he’d often recount the instant he spotted her outside a deli and pulled over to chat with her. Just under nine months into their relationship, she relocated to Florida with him in order to live near his family, which happened in December 2019.
Rose Davis, a friend that Gabby encountered in Florida, commented on their initial gathering with both her and Brian, stating it felt as if a parent was overseeing a playdate, which she found quite unusual. Brian was described as being “very pleasant,” but Rose recollected discussing with her mother afterwards that there was something peculiar about him.
As our bond deepened, Brian’s enigmatic nature became increasingly evident to me – I began to glimpse the shadows that lurked within him.
In July 2020, Brian made a proposal. Nicole learned that Gabby was engaged when Brian’s mother, Roberta Laundrie, announced it on Facebook.
“She didn’t want to tell anybody,” Nichole said. “I thought that was really strange.”
Gabby’s stepmother, Tara Petito, expressed a tad of surprise that Brian hadn’t sought Joe’s permission before proposing to their daughter.
Initially, Gabby was brimming with joy and enthusiasm. However, over time, her initial excitement seemed to wane, as Nichole pointed out.
Gabby cherished her time at Taco Bell, a place she worked diligently to afford her cherished 2012 Ford Transit Connect van. However, as Brian expressed, he began feeling overlooked and developing a sense of ownership towards Gabby.
Through the text exchanges displayed in the series, he criticized her profession and referred to her colleagues as “undesirable individuals.” He wrote that it was “utterly repulsive” for her to associate with such people.
She successfully made him feel guilty for making her feel bad, leading her to believe she didn’t deserve Brian’s affection. According to Rose, this was exactly what he intended.
Speaking from my perspective, I believe there was a pivotal point in Gabby’s life prior to her van lifestyle where her perception began to shift. As time passed, it seemed as if everything was falling into place for her, causing an escalating sense of frustration.
Despite his appearance, Brian seemed friendly enough in the video that Gabby took when they started their #VanLife adventure in July 2021.
In my professional opinion as a lifestyle advisor, I must confess that he appeared less enthusiastic about his fiancée’s aspirations and more inclined to support them primarily for personal gain, seeking to keep her close by his side.
According to Rose, if he manages to remove her from her job, it means he’s the only one she’ll have left. This is what he aims for. Then, before long, she was no longer there.
Gabby explained to Rose that Brian considered her vlog concept to be foolish. However, she pointed out that maybe he was anxious about the truth being captured on film. There could be a chance that he might say something inappropriate or react incorrectly during the recording process.
On August 12, 2021, someone phoned 911 to say they observed a man striking a woman by the roadside in Moab, Utah. Afterward, the pair got into a vehicle and drove away, only for the vehicle to collide with a curb.
The body camera recordings captured by the Moab City Police during their interaction with Brian and Gabby were publicly shown several weeks afterwards, as part of the probe into Gabby’s final outcome.
However, it’s surprising that Gabby appears to accept accountability for their physical fight, explaining to the police that she suffered from anxiety and severe Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Brian was causing her stress, yet he was attempting to soothe her instead.
Brian explained to the police that he had scrapes on his face due to an accident while he was attempting to move Gabby away, who was reaching for the van keys at the time.
From my perspective as a lifestyle advisor, when an officer inquired about the bruises on my face and arm, I found myself repeating, “I can’t seem to recall.” However, I felt compelled to share that our interaction had escalated, and in the heat of the moment, I admitted, “Perhaps I was the one who swung first.
According to the video evidence, one officer said to the other that “it seems like she’s acting as the clear aggressor in this situation.
Later, an officer led Brian to a local hotel often used as a shelter for those escaping domestic violence. Meanwhile, Gabby received the car keys and was directed to a location where she could find a budget-friendly shower facility to help her relax and reduce stress.
Initially instructed to avoid communication such as texting until the following day, the pair unexpectedly met up again that very evening and found themselves on their way to Salt Lake City shortly thereafter.
In the show, Rose mentioned that she didn’t learn about their argument in Moab from Gabby directly. However, she’s experienced Gabby being this distressed before, and it was usually due to issues with him.
Reflecting on the moment she learned about the 911 call and saw the police footage for the first time that September, Gabby’s mother Nichole shared in the series, “I saw my daughter looking terrified beyond words. It was then that I understood the situation was far more dire than I could have ever imagined.
Seeing my daughter distressed while the officers were laughing and joking with Brian left me shocked, as it seemed she was being treated as if she was the instigator.
As an ardent admirer of Gabby, I can’t help but share a fascinating tidbit from the series. Jackson, my heart’s long-lost melody, mentioned that on August 22, 2021, he received an unexpected call from none other than Gabby herself. They had shared a beautiful journey for approximately a year before she found love in Brian. Remarkably, they had once dreamt of embarking on the #VanLife adventure together. Hearing about her adventure with Brian, I must admit, stirred a touch of nostalgia within me, but my heart was also brimming with joy for her happiness.
In her message displayed in the series, she expressed that it might be unlikely for you to want to hear from her, and she mentioned that she would not be alone until the day after tomorrow, suggesting a possible conversation before then.
He later considered her reaching out “a cry for help.”
Gabby suggested to Jackson over the phone that she and Brian had a disagreement, and she mentioned that she was contemplating leaving him, adding that she had a strategy but needed to decide when to execute it.
Jackson stated that she appeared uncertain about his actions or capabilities, and it seemed like she wanted to escape but didn’t know the right way to do so.
Gabby sent a Snapchat to him on August 27, expressing that being in Jackson Hole, Wyoming brought back memories of him. She also phoned him later that same day, at 1:45 p.m., according to Jackson, but he was working and couldn’t take the call. That marked the last contact they had.
He mused, “Perhaps had I taken that phone call, something might have been resolved or the situation could have turned out differently.
On August 27th, Gabby messaged her mom: “I’m good. I managed to persuade Brian to go camping in the woods so I can have the van all to myself. That’s something he wanted to do anyway. Frankly, it doesn’t matter to me. He said I could have the van if I paid him for it.
Gabby clarified that she was merely expressing her potential for earning more income as a self-reliant woman in a van, and added that she was currently en route to a campsite.
Subsequent messages to Gabby remained unanswered. On August 30th, Nichole received a text from her daughter’s phone that seemed peculiar to her, as it addressed Gabby’s grandfather by his name, Stan, rather than the usual term of endearment, “grandpa.
Since then, Nicole hasn’t received any response from Gabby, so she texted Brian’s mom, Roberta, on September 10th. However, there was no reply. When she tried again, she noticed that the chat bubble had changed from blue to green, which could mean either Roberta’s phone was turned off or Nicole might have been blocked.
In the series, Gabby’s father, Joe, attempted to reach out to Roberta and Brian’s father, Chris Laundrie, as well as his sister Cassie Laundrie. However, these attempts were unsuccessful, according to Joe. Furthermore, he mentioned that when he texted them, they were contacting the police.
TopMob News attempted to get a response from the Laundries’ legal representative, but there was no reply received. The series mentioned that they chose, via their attorney, not to offer any comments. At that point in time, Cassie shared with reporters that she and her spouse were receiving updates about the case solely from the media and remained unaware of the current situation regarding her parents or brother. “We feel just as upset, frustrated, and heartbroken as everyone else,” she stated.
On September 11th, I found myself accompanying North Port, Florida law enforcement officials to the residence of Roberta and Chris. My purpose was to assist in gathering any potential insights they might have regarding Gabby’s location.
The footage from the officers’ body cameras reveals Chris stating that Brian was indoors, he chose not to speak, and they were welcome to contact the family’s legal representative.
From the available video and audio evidence, authorities in North Port and Suffolk County, where Gabby’s family resided, found themselves uncertain about their next steps, as no concrete evidence of a crime had surfaced at that point.
However, since the vehicle Brian and Gabby were using was located in the Laundries’ driveway, and as Gabby’s name was the sole owner according to the title, the police swiftly arranged for its tow-away.
Reflecting on these events, Nicole remembered from the show, “My body kept trembling uncontrollably…It was clear that something terrible had occurred.
Added Gabby’s dad Joe, “We started screaming.” Stepmom Tara said, “I collapsed.”
Friend Rose admitted, “To tell the truth, I completely broke down. I was shouting, ‘What on earth has he done? What action did he take?’
As a devoted admirer, allow me to rephrase the statement: On September 17th, when authorities returned to Brian Laundrie’s residence, his parents expressed that he was absent and they hadn’t laid eyes on him for three full days. They were eager to report him missing, according to FBI Special Agent Loretta Bush in the series.
In my personal inspection of the residence, I came across a heartfelt note from my mom, bearing her instructions to “dispose of after reading.” This intimate artifact added a poignant touch to the scene.
You are my dear one, nothing can change how much I care for you. Nothing could or would ever come between us, regardless of what happens.” Bush said. “If you were in jail, I would secretly bake a cake with a file inside. If you needed help getting rid of evidence, I’d show up with a shovel and garbage bags.
In the series, both Rose and Tara called the letter “disgusting.”
Nichole said, “It made me sick to my stomach.”
On August 29th, as reported by Busy, Brian was extensively in touch with his parents. It appears they communicated frequently. We discovered that he informed them about Gabby’s absence and his need for legal representation. At this juncture, the parents transferred money to a lawyer.
Joe recalled musing, “Are you planning to spend $25,000, money you worked hard for, on a lawyer hailing from Wyoming without knowing her location first? That seems implausible to me.
In simpler terms, Gabby’s stepfather Jim suggested that the sum involved was not for anything trivial, but rather it seemed to be intended for representing someone in a murder case.
It was chilling to discover that while investigators found out he had been sending texts pretending she was alive, those messages were not read on Gabby’s phone until he returned to the Spread Creek Dispersed camping area in Bridger-Teton National Forest – where her phone actually was.
Special Agent Bush pointed out that communication between the two devices happened quickly. He noticed the person had both phones in hand, seemingly conversing with himself. It appeared he was attempting to establish an alibi through this action.
On August 30th, Brian commenced his journey towards Florida. Along this trip, he utilized Gabby’s debit card at various gas stations to cover fuel expenses, as reported by the FBI. He also sent a text about Gabby’s grandfather to her mother and transferred $700 from Gabby’s account to his own via Zelle, making it appear as if she was compensating him for the vehicle.
The transaction memo read, “Goodbye Brian, I’ll never ask you for anything again.”
On September 19, 2021, the search team discovered Gabby’s remains at the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area.
She was found curled up on her left side while donning a hoodie. The medical examiner concluded that she died from strangulation and sustained injuries to her head and neck due to blunt force.
The detective observed in the case that her position wasn’t normal, suggesting his suspicion that she might have been killed somewhere else and the crime scene could have been manipulated.
In a rephrased form, the sentence could be: During his visit, Gabby’s stepfather Jim found himself involved in the search. Upon viewing a picture of her deceased body, he expressed his shock by saying it was left as if she were discarded waste by someone who was supposed to cherish her. He subsequently called Nichole, Joe, and Tara, sharing this emotional experience with them.
Joe shared, “I received a call saying I wouldn’t get to see my daughter anymore,” which Tara described as the most distressing day they’ve ever experienced.
Reflecting on those final instances, I find myself dwelling on them frequently. It’s clear to me that fear must have gripped her. Whenever she felt afraid, she’d reach out to either me, Jim, Tara, or Nicki. Unfortunately, I can’t be certain who she called for help in this instance.
On October 20, the skeletal remains of Brian were discovered in the Carlton Memorial Reserve. The medical examiner determined that his death was caused by a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, and it was classified as a suicide.
Nearby, a watertight sack contained photographs of Brian and Gabby, along with a waterproof journal where he penned down the fact that she had been hurt and ended her life as an act to alleviate her suffering.
But from that moment, he added, “I knew I couldn’t go on without her.”
Additionally, there were notes found within the bag, such as one saying, “Spare my family further hardship; they’ve already lost both a son and a daughter.
In the course of my close observation, I often pondered over the peculiarity when he chose to exclude my parents from his narrative, as they had done nothing amiss.
Jim pointed out that none of Brian’s narratives aligned with the results of Gabby’s autopsy. What led to her death was strangulation, and there was absolutely no hint or even a remote resemblance to what he claimed.
In the year 2022, a court granted Gabby’s family a sum of $3 million as compensation in a lawsuit alleging wrongful death, which they initiated against Brian’s estate. A separate lawsuit filed by them against Brian’s parents for causing emotional distress through intentional and reckless actions was resolved in February 2024.
American Murder: Gabby Petito is streaming on Netflix.
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2025-02-17 16:19