Gabby Petito's vision of a dreamy #VanLife with her fiancé Brian Laundrie appeared perfect on social media. However the reality behind the scenes was far more sinister than anyone imagined. It is shocking to learn how quickly her aspiration turned into a nightmare. Sadly the full picture of Gabby and Brian's troubled relationship only emerged after her tragic death.
Federal investigators concluded Brian murdered Gabby in August 2021 just weeks into their cross-country trip. Her dream to travel across the United States in their van documenting it all on YouTube ended abruptly after her initial video. The new Netflix docuseries American Murder: Gabby Petito explores the darkness within Gabby and Brian's relationship the events leading up to her death and the subsequent search for both Gabby and Brian who ultimately took his own life in September 2021.
While the series revisits familiar aspects of the case it also presents interviews with Gabby's family friends an ex-boyfriend and investigators. Directors Julia Willoughby Nason and Michael Gasparro utilized Gabby's personal photos videos and journal entries to reveal the unsettling truth of her relationship with Brian.
After Gabby's body was discovered in Wyoming's Spread Creek camping area on September 19 2021 the coroner ruled her death a homicide caused by manual strangulation and blunt-force trauma to her head and neck. Brian confessed in a notebook found with his remains that he had ended Gabby's life claiming it was a mercy killing after an accident. The FBI and Gabby's family dismissed his account.
Her stepfather Jim Schmidt who was present when her body was found had the heartbreaking task of informing Gabby's mother Nichole Schmidt and her father and stepmother Joe and Tara Petito. Seeing Gabby in her videos full of life and hope makes her fate even more tragic especially knowing she grew increasingly hesitant about the trip and her relationship with Brian.
Gabby Petito's Family Initially Believed Brian Laundrie Was Nice But There Were Early Warning Signs
Initial Impressions Did Not Reveal The Underlying Issues
Gabby Petito's mother Nichole Schmidt described her initial impression of Brian Laundrie in the Netflix series as someone "a little socially awkward but very polite." Gabby's stepfather Jim Schmidt found him "kinda quiet" while her father Joe Petito noted Brian "shook your hand looked you in the eye."
Gabby and Brian's relationship began after high school and after dating for less than nine months Gabby moved to Florida with him in December 2019 to be closer to his family. Rose Davis a friend Gabby made in Florida felt something was amiss when she first met Brian stating "It felt like a parent was watching us on a play date. It was very weird." While Brian seemed "very nice" Rose told her mother "there is something off about him."
Rose observed "That just started becoming more and more clear as our friendship progressed. Brian had a very dark side of him." Brian proposed in July 2020. Nichole learned about Gabby's engagement through Brian's mother Roberta Laundrie's Facebook post which she found "really strange" as Gabby hadn't shared the news herself. Gabby’s stepmother Tara Petito was surprised Brian did not ask Joe for his daughter's hand before proposing.
Initially Gabby was excited about the engagement but Nichole noticed "as time went on she kind of lost that excitement."
Brian Laundrie Did Not Appear To Support Gabby Petito's Van Life Dream And May Have Been Motivated By Control
Van Life Dream Became Another Area Of Conflict And Control
Rose shared Gabby's enthusiasm for her job at Taco Bell which helped fund her van. However Brian "started feeling neglected and having this possessiveness" according to Rose. Text messages shown in the docuseries reveal Brian disparaging Gabby's job and coworkers calling them "low lifes" and finding it "f--king disgusting" she worked with them. He manipulated Gabby into feeling guilty and undeserving of his affection creating a dynamic where "he wanted her to feel that way" Rose explained.
Rose believed "I think there was a moment before her van life that she started to open her eyes." Gabby was becoming "more frustrated. I think it was all clicking for her the more it went on." Despite appearing agreeable in Gabby's van life footage Rose suggested Brian did not value her dream and was using it to isolate her. "If I get her away from her job I get her away from her friend she only has me" Rose said of Brian's possible motives. "And then next thing you know they were gone."
Gabby confided in Rose that Brian considered her vlog idea "stupid." Rose speculated "I think he was worried that the truth of everything would be on footage. There’s that possibility he says the wrong thing or reacts the wrong way while she's recording."
Police Seemed To Give Brian Laundrie The Benefit Of Doubt During Moab Incident
Moab Police Interaction Highlighted A Troubling Dynamic
On August 12 2021 a 911 call reported a man slapping a woman in Moab Utah followed by their van hitting a curb. Police bodycam footage from the encounter with Brian and Gabby shows Gabby taking responsibility for their altercation. She described having anxiety and "really bad OCD" stating Brian was merely trying to calm her down. Brian had scratches on his face from Gabby's phone claiming he was pushing her away as she tried to get the van keys. When questioned about bruises on her face and arm Gabby repeatedly said "I don't know." She admitted yelling and told police "I guess I hit him first."
One officer remarked in the footage "from what she's claiming she's the full-on aggressor here." Police separated them for the night escorting Brian to a hotel often used for domestic violence victims while Gabby kept the van and was directed to a place for a shower. They were instructed to avoid contact but reunited later and continued their trip.
Police Footage Was Eye-Opening And Devastating For Gabby Petito's Family Revealing The Extent Of Her Fear
Moab Footage Revealed The Alarming Reality Of Gabby's Situation
Rose mentioned Gabby never disclosed the Moab fight despite regular FaceTime calls. Gabby’s mother Nichole upon seeing the 911 call and police footage in September said "I watched my daughter looking frightened to death. That's when I realized that things were way worse than I could have imagined." Nichole was distressed "to see the distress my daughter was in and then [cops] laughing and joking around [with Brian]. I could not believe that she was being treated as an aggressor."
Gabby Petito Texted Her Ex-Boyfriend Hinting At Plans To Leave Brian And Seeking Help
Gabby Reached Out To An Ex-Boyfriend In What May Have Been A Cry For Help
Gabby's ex-boyfriend Jackson revealed she contacted him unexpectedly on August 22 2021. They had previously discussed van life together. He felt some wistfulness but was also happy for her when he learned of her trip with Brian. Gabby texted "I'm sure I’m the last person on the planet you want to hear from" adding she was "only alone until tomorrow" and asking to talk before then. Jackson now considers this contact "a cry for help."
During their call Gabby "hinted" at an argument with Brian and said "I have a plan I think I want to leave him." She was uncertain about when and how to leave fearing Brian's potential reaction. Jackson believes "I think that she wasn’t sure of what he would do or what he could do. I think she was wanting to get away but just didn't know how to do it." Gabby Snapchatted him on August 27 mentioning Jackson Hole Wyoming reminded her of him. She called him later that day at 1:45 p.m. but he was at work and missed the call. It was their last contact. Jackson wonders "Maybe if I did answer that phone call I could have helped or there could have been a different outcome."
Gabby Petito's Parents Were Ignored By Brian Laundrie's Family When They Tried To Reach Out
Laundrie Family Stonewalling Raised Immediate Suspicion
On August 27 Gabby texted her mother claiming "I'm fine. I convinced Brian to go camp out in the woods so I can have the van to myself. It’s what he wants to do anyway. I don’t care. He said I could have the van if I paid him." Nichole asked if they were breaking up Gabby replied "No I just said I could make more money as a solo female van lifer. I’m driving to a campsite now." Subsequent texts to Gabby went unanswered. A text on August 30 referring to her grandfather as "Stan" instead of "grandpa" struck Nichole as odd.
Having lost contact Nichole texted Brian's mother Roberta on September 10 but received no response. Further attempts showed Nichole had likely been blocked. Gabby's father Joe also tried contacting Roberta and Brian's father Chris Laundrie and sister Cassie Laundrie without success even texting that they were calling the police. The Laundrie family declined to comment for the docuseries through their lawyer.
Parents Knew Something Was Terribly Wrong When Brian Returned Alone And Laundrie Family Remained Silent
Brian's Solo Return And Family's Refusal To Communicate Signaled Disaster
On September 11 North Port Florida police visited the Laundrie home seeking information about Gabby. Police bodycam footage shows Chris Laundrie stating Brian was inside had nothing to say and directing police to their attorney. Police in North Port and New York's Suffolk County felt stuck as no crime was yet confirmed. However Gabby's van was in the Laundrie driveway. Because Gabby's name was solely on the title police promptly towed it.
Nichole recalled learning this "My body would not stop shaking...I knew something bad happened." Gabby's father Joe said "We started screaming." Stepmother Tara "I collapsed." Friend Rose "I just lost it to be honest. I was screaming 'What did he do? He did something what did he do?'"
Brian Laundrie's Mother's Letter Described Helping Him Dispose Of A Body Which Was Deeply Disturbing
Mother's Letter Added A Sinister Layer To Laundrie Family Actions
When authorities revisited the Laundrie home on September 17 Brian's parents reported him missing claiming they hadn't seen him for three days. Agent Loretta Bush mentioned a letter from his mother found among Brian's belongings labeled "burn after reading." The letter contained disturbing lines like "If you need to dispose of a body I will show up with a shovel and garbage bags." Rose and Tara found the letter "disgusting" while Nichole said "It made me sick to my stomach."
Investigators Detailed Brian Laundrie's Elaborate Attempts To Create A False Alibi And Deceive Investigators
Alibi Attempt Revealed Calculated Deception And Planning
Brian made "a flurry of calls to his parents" on August 29 and 30. He informed them Gabby was "gone" and he needed a lawyer prompting his parents to wire money to an attorney. Joe Petito questioned "You're going to throw $25000 of your hard-earned cash out on a lawyer from f--king Wyoming? And you're telling me you didn't ask where she was? That's some bulls--t." Gabby's stepdad Jim suggested the retainer was likely for a murder defense.
Cellular data revealed Brian texted Gabby from her phone while also holding his own phone in the Spread Creek area where her phone was located. Agent Bush explained "The activity between the two phones was almost instantaneous. He was holding both phones and talking directly to himself. It was apparent that he was trying to create an alibi." Brian drove to Florida on August 30 using Gabby's debit card for gas. He texted Gabby's mother and sent himself a Zelle payment from Gabby's account with the memo "Goodbye Brian I'll never ask you for anything again."
Joe Petito Remains Haunted By Thoughts Of Daughter Gabby's Last Moments And Unimaginable Fear
Gabby's Last Moments Remain A Source Of Deep Pain For Her Father
Gabby's body was found on September 19 2021 in the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area. She was in a fetal position wearing a hoodie. The coroner determined strangulation and blunt force trauma as the cause of death. An agent noted her unnatural position suggesting the scene was staged. Gabby's stepdad Jim present for the search "collapsed to the ground" upon seeing a photo of her body. He then called Nichole Joe and Tara with the devastating news.
Joe said "I got a phone call that I'd never see my daughter again." Tara called it their worst day. Joe reflects "I think about the last moments a lot. I’m sure she was scared. And anytime she was scared she would call me or Jim [Tara] or Nicki so I don’t know who she called out for."
Gabby Petito's Family Refused To Accept Brian Laundrie's Self-Serving Version Of Events And Sought Justice
Laundrie's Confession Contradicted Autopsy And Family Sought Accountability
Brian's remains were found on October 20 in the Carlton Memorial Reserve. His death was ruled suicide by gunshot. A waterproof bag nearby contained photos of Brian and Gabby and a notebook where he confessed to killing her claiming it was to end her pain after an accident. The bag also held letters including one asking "Please do not make life harder for my family they lost a son and a daughter.” Nichole found it "odd" he wrote to "leave my parents out of this they didn’t do anything wrong." Jim noted "Not one of the versions of Brian's account was accurate by the findings of Gabby's autopsy. The sole cause of her death was strangulation and nothing remotely or even close to what he said."
A judge awarded Gabby's family $3 million in a wrongful death lawsuit against Brian's estate in 2022. A separate suit against Brian's parents for emotional distress was settled in February 2024.
American Murder: Gabby Petito is now streaming on Netflix and serves as a stark reminder of the hidden darkness that can exist beneath seemingly perfect facades and the enduring pain of a family seeking justice for their daughter.