Netflix's New Docuseries Revisits the Tragic Story of Gabby Petito

Netflix has launched a compelling new docuseries that delves into the tragic life and untimely demise of 22-year-old vlogger Gabby Petito. Born on March 19, 1999, Gabby moved to Florida in 2019, setting the stage for the events that would later capture national attention.

Nearly four years have passed since the shocking events of 2021, yet Gabby Petito’s story remains in the public eye. Netflix’s docuseries, which debuted on February 17, presents fresh insights and testimonials from those who knew her well.

The series chronicles the mysterious disappearance of Petito during a cross-country trip with her fiancé, Brian Laundrie. Her body was eventually discovered in a Wyoming park, sparking a nationwide search for Laundrie, who would ultimately take his own life in October 2021 at Florida’s Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park.

Gabby Petito was a vibrant 22-year-old video blogger whose sudden disappearance and death drew widespread media coverage in 2021.

Originally from New York, Gabby relocated to Florida in 2019 to be near her then-boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, and his family. The couple had only been together for nine months before they decided to move, becoming engaged in July of the following year.

Netflix explores the couple’s choice to delay marriage in favor of purchasing a 2012 Toyota Transit Connect van for a U.S. tour in 2021. Gabby documented the journey on her YouTube channel “Nomadic Statik,” though friends noted Laundrie’s disparaging views of her efforts, referring to them as “stupid.”

On August 12, 2021, a concerning call came into 911 describing a domestic dispute where a man was observed striking a woman in a white van. Police arrived but bizarrely concluded that Gabby was the aggressor. Tragically, she was last seen alive on August 27.

Gabby’s parents reported her missing on September 11 when Laundrie returned home alone and refused any communication with her family.

Her remains were discovered on September 19 at a campsite in Wyoming, with strangulation confirmed as the cause of death.

Netflix’s “American Murder: Gabby Petito” offers an in-depth look into the harrowing tale of vlogger Gabby Petito’s disappearance and death.

The series is enriched with authentic text messages, video clips, and entries from Gabby’s personal diaries, showcasing the duality of her life—one marred by a toxic relationship but coated with a cheerful social media presence, as described by Netflix.

This three-episode show dives deep into each phase of the case:

• Episode 1, “We Bought a Van,” recounts Gabby’s youth, her relationship with Laundrie, and their ‘van life’ adventures that culminate in a police encounter.
• Episode 2, “Where is Gabby?,” follows the aftermath of their police interaction, highlighting her sudden vanishing and the efforts of her parents to find her.
• Episode 3, “Burn after Reading,” narrates the poignant aftermath of Gabby’s discovery and the intense manhunt for Laundrie.

True crime fans may feel hesitant about Netflix’s new endeavor, given prior instances where families of victims were excluded from similar productions. This case is different, however, as several of Gabby’s family and friends participate in the series.

The show begins with emotional recollections from Gabby’s parents, Nichole Schmidt and Joe Petito, who share memories of her life and their emotional journey as the case unfolded.

Meanwhile, the Laundrie family opted not to engage in the docuseries, as disclosed by one of the directors to “TODAY.”

“American Murder: Gabby Petito” is available exclusively on Netflix.