Gabby Petito's Story Explored in a New Netflix Docuseries

Days before her tragic death in the Wyoming wilderness, Gabby Petito confided in her former boyfriend that she intended to leave Brian Laundrie, but feared his potential reaction. This new revelation emerges from a docuseries featuring the first-hand accounts of her close friends and family.

“American Murder: Gabby Petito,” now available on Netflix, unveils previously unseen text messages exchanged between Petito, Laundrie, and key individuals involved in the case, such as Laundrie’s mother, Roberta. The series offers fresh interviews with Gabby’s parents and stepparents, along with insights from her former boyfriend, Jackson, and other friends who were close to her.

Petito’s family, having familiarized themselves with the filmmakers’ earlier works, agreed to collaborate on the docuseries after meeting them personally. They shared her journals, artwork, and text messages, exposing a previously hidden side of the tumultuous relationship between Petito and Laundrie during their road trip across the country.

Amid these revelations, an exclusive interview with Gabby’s former boyfriend, Jackson, discloses her desire to leave and her fear of the possible consequences of doing so. “She was uncertain about what he might do or what he was capable of,” he explained to filmmakers Nason and Gasparro.

In an interview on Monday, Gabby’s mother, Nichole Schmidt, emphasized to FOX 13 that she does not wish for her daughter’s story to be perceived merely as entertainment or a typical true crime tale.

“We want the world to understand Gabby beyond just a true crime narrative,” she stated. “She was a daughter, a sister, and a friend—a beautiful soul taken far too soon. Her story stands for all victims and survivors, urging us to strive for change and to improve the world. Gabby’s voice endures through us, advocating for the end of domestic violence and the reunion of missing loved ones.”