The Tragic Story of Gabby Petito
The Tragic Story of Gabby Petito and Brian Laundries’s Van Life Journey
Gabby Petito, 22, and her fiancé Brian Laundrie set out on what was supposed to be their dream adventure in 2021. They decided to explore America’s national parks in a van, documenting their journey on a blog and YouTube. However, their dream turned into a nightmare, leaving the nation in shock.
How Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie Became Part of #VanLife
Gabby and Brian met in high school at Bayport-Blue Point High School in New York. They grew close and began dating in 2019. After graduating in 2017, Gabby moved to North Port, Florida, to live with Brian’s family. Unfortunately, life with the Laundries wasn’t easy for Gabby. She struggled to connect with Brian’s mother, Robert and faced increasing control from Brian.
Despite these challenges, they both shared a love for travel and road trips. Together, they purchased a van and set out to explore America’s national parks. In July 2020, the couple got engaged, hoping to fulfill their shared dream of traveling.
Gabby Petito’s Disappearance and the National Search
On August 12, 2021, police in Moab, Utah, received a 911 call about a domestic dispute between a man and a girl in a moving van. When police stopped the van, they found Gabby visibly upset while Brian remained calm. Authorities determined Brian was the victim of domestic violence, and they separated the couple for the night. Brian stayed at a hotel, and Gabby remained in the van. The following day, they resumed their journey.
Although their social media posts showed happy moments, their relationship had begun to deteriorate. Gabby’s last Instagram post appeared on August 25. Afterward, she stopped responding to text messages. Her family and friends tried reaching her, but she didn’t answer. On August 27, Gabby’s mother received a strange text from her phone. It read, “Can you help Stan, I keep getting voicemail and missed calls.” Gabby had never referred to her grandfather by his first name before.
The Search for Gabby Petito
On September 11, Gabby’s mother reported her missing. Investigators uncovered disturbing details. Brian had returned to his parents’ home with Gabby’s van but without her. The Laundrie family hired a lawyer and refused to assist with the investigation.
The case quickly captured nationwide attention. Social media users analyzed every post and followed every detail. The search for Gabby stretched over 2,000 miles as police worked to trace her steps.
The Discovery of Gabby’s Body
The investigation led to Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, where Gabby’s phone had last been used. A blogger reviewing footage potted Gabby’s van at Spread Creek within the park. Three weeks later, investigators found Gabby’s body. They believe the location was chosen to conceal evidence. An autopsy revealed that Gabby died from strangulation.
Gabby’s family was heartbroken. Her stepfather, Jim Schmidt, recalled how he collapsed upon hearing the news. “I had to pick up the phone, compose myself, and call Niki, then ask Joe and Tara to join the conference call to tell them, from 2,000 miles away, that our daughter was gone,” he shared.
What Happened to Brian Laundrie?
In the documentary American Murder, it’s revealed that Brian Laundrie tried to cover his tracks after Gabby’s death. On August 29, he called his parents, saying that Gabby had “left” and that he needed help. His parents immediately contacted a lawyer. Brian made two separate trips to and from the place where he left Gabby’s body, creating fake conversations between himself and Gabby using their phones. He also transferred $700 from Gabby’s account to his own, with the note, “Goodbye Brian, I’ll never ask for anything again.”
The discovery of Gabby’s body allowed investigators to piece together her final moments. On August 27, they were seen arguing at a restaurant in Jackson, Wyoming. Later, security footage showed them at Whole Foods, marking the last time Gabby was seen alive. They then traveled to Spread Creek, where Gabby reset her computer at 8:32 pm, believed to be her final act.
Brian’s Appearance and Discovery
On September 20, 2021, after Gabby’s body was discovered, police executed a search warrant at the Laundrie home. However, Brian had already gone missing. He had told his parents that he was going hiking. His parents did not report him missing, assuming he would return. After 37 days, Brian’s body was found in Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park.
Next to Brian’s remains was a letter in which he confessed to killing Gabby, claiming he wanted to end her suffering after an accident. This claim contradicted the autopsy results. In 2022, Gabby’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Brian’s parents, which resulted in a $3 million settlement. However, authorities did not file any criminal charges against the Laundrie family.
FAQs About Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie
1. When did Gabby Petito go missing? Gabby Petito went missing in late August 2021. Her last known contact was on August 25, and she stopped responding to messages after that.
2. How did Brian Laundrie die? Brian Laundrie died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities found his body in Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park on October 20, 2021.
3. What happened during the domestic dispute between Gabby and Brian? On August 12, 2021, police in Moab, Utah, responded to a 911 call about a domestic dispute between Gabby and Brian. The police separated the couple for the night, but they did not file any charges.
4. Did Brian Laundrie confess to killing Gabby? Yes, in a letter found next to his remains, Brian Laundrie admitted to killing Gabby, claiming it was after an accident. However, the details contradicted the autopsy results, which revealed she died from strangulation.
5. What is the current status of the investigation? The investigation into Gabby’s death is closed. The case sparked national attention, and in 2022, Gabby’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Brian Laundrie’s parents, resulting in a $3 million settlement.
Learn More About the Case
For more information and to watch the documentary, visit the official Netflix page for American Murder: The Gabby Petito Story here.