American Murder Gabby Petito true story: Everything to know about the case behind the YouTube vlogger's tragic death

The tragic case of 22-year-old Gabby Petito, who went missing during a 2021 cross-country road trip with her fianc¨¦, Brian Laundrie, gripped America and dominated headlines as suspicion quickly surrounded Laundrie. Now, Netflix is exploring the true story behind the tragedy in a gripping docuseries, streaming since February 17.

About the Gabby Petito case

In August 2021, 22-year-old Gabby Petito was tragically killed by her fianc¨¦, Brian Laundrie, during a four-month road trip across the U.S., which they had been documenting on social media.

Two months later, Laundrie died by suicide, and his parents faced scrutiny over their possible involvement in covering up the crime.

Through real footage, text messages, and Gabby¡¯s own journal entries, the series uncovers the stark contrast between their seemingly perfect online life and the grim reality behind the scenes.

American Murder: Gabby Petito, a new three-part documentary, goes beyond the headlines, offering an intimate look at her final days through the voices of family and friends.

It sheds light on the warning signs of abuse and the moments where her fate might have changed.

Uncovering the true story behind the Gabby Petito case in Netflix's new docuseries

Gabrielle "Gabby" Petito was born in 1999 and grew up in New York, where she was known for her creativity and cheerful personality.

Credit: Netflix

She and Brian Laundrie knew each other in high school but only started dating after graduation. As their relationship deepened, Laundrie persuaded Petito to move to Florida to be with him.

They eventually got engaged, but instead of planning a wedding, they decided to travel the country in a van they converted into a camper.

Friends and family noticed troubling signs in their relationship, with Laundrie displaying possessive and controlling behavior, but Petito reassured them that everything was fine.

On July 2, 2021, the couple set off on their cross-country trip, documenting their travels on social media. However, on August 12, a witness in Moab, Utah, reported a violent altercation between them.

When police intervened, both had visible injuries, but officers concluded that Petito was the aggressor. They were separated for the night before continuing their journey.

Petito was last seen alive on August 27, 2021, in Wyoming. In the days following, Laundrie was spotted hitchhiking alone, and strange text messages were sent from Petito's phone, raising suspicions about whether she had actually written them.

On September 1, Laundrie returned to his parents' home in Florida but refused to speak about Petito's whereabouts.

Credit: Netflix

As her family desperately searched for answers, the case gained national attention.

Many believed Laundrie was hiding at his parents' house, but on September 17, they reported him missing, sparking a massive manhunt¡ªwhile the search for Petito continued in Wyoming.

Authorities discovered a written confession alongside Brian Laundrie's remains, in which he admitted to being responsible for Gabby Petito's death, according to FBI Denver.

In the note, Laundrie confessed that he "ended her life": "I thought I was being merciful, that it was what she wanted, but now I see all the mistakes I made. I panicked. I was in shock. But from the moment I made that decision, I knew I couldn't live without her."

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