Netflix’s latest true-crime documentary, American Murder: Gabby Petito, sheds new light on the turbulent relationship between the late vlogger and her fiancé, Brian Laundrie. This gripping docuseries explores the dark side of their relationship, the days leading up to Gabby’s tragic death, and the extensive search that followed for both her and Brian, who ultimately took his own life in September 2021.
Unheard Revelations About Gabby and Brian’s Relationship
One of the shocking revelations from the documentary is that Brian never supported Gabby’s dream of living the “van life” — traveling across the country and sharing her experiences on social media. According to Gabby’s close friend, Rose Davis, Brian’s primary aim was to isolate and control her. Rose stated in the series:
“I think there was a moment before her van life when she started to open her eyes. I believe everything started clicking for her the more time went on.”
Gabby’s ex-boyfriend, Jackson, also revealed new details in the documentary. On August 22, 2021, Gabby unexpectedly reached out to him, even though they had broken up a year before she began dating Brian.
In a text message, Gabby wrote:
“I’m sure I’m the last person on the planet you wanted to hear from.”
She added that she was only alone until the following day and asked if they could talk before then. Jackson recalled that during their phone conversation, Gabby confided in him about a recent fight with Brian. Looking back, he now sees that moment as a cry for help.
Gabby’s Plan to Leave Brian
During the documentary, Jackson shared a chilling detail: Gabby had made up her mind to leave Brian but was unsure how to execute her plan.
“She told me, ‘I have a plan. I think I want to leave him. I’m going to do it. I just need to figure out when.’”
Jackson explained that Gabby wanted to escape but was fearful of what Brian might do. He believed she was uncertain about the extent of Brian’s potential reaction.
On August 27, Gabby sent Jackson a Snapchat from a restaurant in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, mentioning that the place reminded her of him. She attempted to call him later that afternoon at 1:45 PM, but Jackson was at work and couldn’t answer. Tragically, that was the last time she ever tried to reach out.
Disturbing Final Messages
Gabby’s mother, Nicole Schmidt, became increasingly worried when Gabby stopped responding to her messages. However, on August 30, Nicole received a text from Gabby’s phone that felt suspicious. The message referred to Gabby’s grandfather by his name, “Stan,” instead of “Grandpa” — an unusual choice of words that immediately raised red flags for Nicole.
On September 10, Nicole reached out to Brian’s mother, Roberta Laundrie, but received no reply. When she tried again, she noticed that the text bubble had changed from blue to green, a possible sign that her number had been blocked or that Roberta’s phone was turned off.
Legal Battles and Settlements
Following Gabby’s tragic murder, her family pursued legal action against Brian’s estate, resulting in a $3 million wrongful death settlement in 2022. Additionally, in 2024, another lawsuit against Brian’s parents for intentional infliction of emotional distress was also settled.
Resources for Domestic Violence Victims
Gabby’s story has resonated with people worldwide, highlighting the devastating consequences of domestic violence and toxic relationships. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, help is available. Visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline at thehotline.org or call 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
The American Murder: Gabby Petito documentary not only seeks justice for Gabby but also raises awareness about the warning signs of abuse, urging victims to seek help before it’s too late.