Homicídio nos EUA: Gabby Petito

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.

Innocence meets twisted and selfish. An absolute tragedy she did not get away nor reach someone who could help her realize the need to do so urgently. But told with such compassion by those who lived it. A beautiful testament to her life and a showcase of what a sick family can so appallingly do for their sick son. Just like OJ, folks had no sympathy when Brian's fate was known.

It also openly and impressively confronts the fact raised at the time that a vast number of similar missing person scenarios get zero media interest nor a tiny fraction of the immense resources put into this case. Esp. Those re. People of color it seems. A claim even Gabby's dad began to later take seriously.

Watch it, share the lessons, be moved and grateful.

Most of the true crime shows are cases that are from decades ago. This one is from 2021, so it's pretty fresh for this kind of documentary. This is a case I never heard about, so I found it quite interesting.

The production quality is good and there is a lot of original footage shot by the couple that this is about. The producers do throw in some short reenactments, but they work well with the overall flow of the narrative.

If you like true crime, this is definitely worth watching, because it's not an old story where DNA testing hadn't been invented, or some cold case. This is modern times, with a young, attractive couple.

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.

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.