American Murder: Gabby Petito

8.0 stars.

I started the first episode and didn't get out of my seat until it was all over. This is a riveting and engrossing documentary. I have to say this story resonates, because there is so much evidence: documentation, pictures, video, texts, and phone calls. We are living in an information age that is on steroids.

This is the type of crime he could not get away with, and this young man floundered so badly that there was no way out. My opinion is that he missed her so dearly, that he took his own life. He went home for several days to say goodbye to his parents, but I'm sure his parents did not have any hint of his motivations, which were to return to the woods and end his life.

After the crime, he drove the van back home and his parents had called the lawyer immediately after he told them some thing that happened. There was absolutely no way he was getting away with this crime, but again, I don't think that's the primary reason why he took his life. He was codependent on this woman and his identity was wrapped up in her. We can see that he loved her too much. This is what happens when a person becomes too dependent on another person, and he likely already had a certain level of pre existing psychological issues. She had issues too, and she likely had broken up with him right before the act.

But my point is that this documentary is very captivating.

This documentary perfectly depicts the phenomenon of coercive control that Gabby Petito endured during her relationship with the narcissistic abuser Brian Laundrie, and her tragic fate. The police body cam footage reveals the authorities' inability to recognize the grim reality when faced with a victim of domestic violence who, mentally manipulated by her partner, feels so guilty that she presents herself as the one responsible for the abuse she is suffering. The police's incompetence in handling the statements of this beautiful, tearful young woman-who visibly bore bruises-ultimately led to her demise.

I must admit, I wonder what Gabby ever saw in Brian-this ugly, bald man with an unappealing face, chimp-like long arms, and duck-like feet. His manipulative skills must have been extraordinary! I was shocked by his overly large, knotted fingers and had no trouble imagining them, with horror, tightening around Gabby's neck. I hope this murderer's parents will face justice for covering up their son's actions and refusing to cooperate with the police.

This story is heartbreaking. Let's hope this documentary helps people recognize the victim status of women who fall under the control of such manipulators.

I have been following Gabby's case since I first heard about it. I was intrigued to watch this documentary to put all the pieces together and watch the clips. This documentary is as fascinating as it is sad. To see such a beautiful vibrant young lady like Gabby have her life snatched away by an insecure cretin is heartbreaking. The fact that the Laundries who knew what was going on were not prosecuted in any way is shocking too. There are so many if only in this story. If you like watching true crime documentaries then this one is definitely worth the watch. It helps build awareness and makes you want to keep your children a little closer.

Gabby Petito and her boyfriend Brian set off in their van for a road trip, a chance to spend quality time together, and show the world, through social media how much in love they are. Sadly Petito is dating a monster.

I have seen this particular story featured in other documentaries, but this one did introduce some further details and more interviews, so even if you know what happened, I'd suggest it's still worth seeing.

The story still manages to shock, and even now I'm still unsure as to who the real monsters are, Brian or his parents. The videos are sad to watch, the encounter with The Police in particular is truly sickening, she was failed badly by the authorities.

It could perhaps have been condensed down a bit, although I think the third episode was done as a mark of hope, with Gabby's friends and families doing their best to move on and look to the future.

Definitely worth seeing.

8/10.

As Episode 1 of "American Murder: Gabby Petito" (2025 release; 3 episodes ranging 39 to 48 min) opens, it is "August 12, 2021, Moab, Utah", and based on an anonymous tip, Utah police pulls over a van to question a couple. Turns out to be Brian and Gabby, a young couple on a cross-country road trip. When Gabby is questioned outside the van and away from Brian, she crumbles. We then go back to "March 19,1999, Long Island, NY", when Gabby is born, and we get to know her background an upbringing. At this point we are 10 minutes into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: I was vaguely familiar with these events, but to now see it laid out as clearly and as detailed as this documentary mini-series does, only brought a sense of immense sadness and a disgust of the cruelty with which one person murders another, and for what? The mini-series is helped immensely by the fact that so much footage was filmed by Gabby in particular (she was prepping to start a vlog about their cross-country travels). This mini-series also focuses on the role of Brian's parents in all of this. How these people sleep at night, I have no clue.

"American Murder: Gabby Petito" has just started streaming on Netflix. Not sure why this is presented in 3 short episodes, as opposed to a feature-length documentary. I watched this in a single setting, and I suspect I will not be the only one. If you are interested in true crime documentaries, I readily recommend you check this out and draw your own conclusion.