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.

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.

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.

As soon as the police went to Brian's parents' home, the Petito family must have known that something really bad had happened to Gabby. Brian has the van, but claims he flew back to Florida after fighting with Gabby. I wanted to reach into the television and do harm to those two parents. Can they be charged with aiding and abetting Brian? What about Brian having the van? It was registered to Gabby, right?

Brian was a coward right til the end. His behind his parents, wrote a note saying that Gabby was dying, so "he put her out of her misery", then cowardly killed himself.

The video of the Moab police is upsetting to say the least. They seemed to be biased towards Gabby, although she did say that in this altercation, she hit him first. After watching this doc, I read that there was an investigation regarding the handling of the police stop, and that the police should have questioned the 911 caller, and that it could have been a charge of domestic assault (of Brian!) against Gabby. Perhaps if they did arrest her, everything would be different now and she would still be alive? Maybe not. She was so far into this relationship I'm not sure she saw things rationally. I do agree that US laws should include police asking the 11 lethality questions, which is what Gabby's parents are now lobbying. But even this, I'm not sure if Brian would have met the criteria to have police call a domestic violence hotline. Don't know.

Very very sad.

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.