A new series on Netflix delves into the tragic murder case of Gabby Petito, a ‘vanlife’ influencer who was tragically killed by her fiancé. The series highlights TikTok’s significant role in helping to solve the case of the young woman’s murder.
Gabby Petito, an aspiring vlogger, vanished just three weeks into an anticipated cross-country trip with her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, in August 2021. The couple was living in a converted Ford transit van, and Gabby managed to post only one YouTube video showcasing their journey before her untimely death. Their relationship, which appeared perfect on Instagram, starkly contrasted with reality, tragically culminating in the deaths of both individuals.
Netflix’s new three-part series, “American Murder: Gabby Petito,” depicts the events leading to her final days. The case of her disappearance captured international attention, with her distraught family and the public rallying to find her.
Social media users, especially those on TikTok, were instrumental in assisting authorities in piecing together the events surrounding Gabby’s disappearance. Millions shared information on TikTok, enabling officers to pinpoint the area where she was last seen. Miranda Baker, a TikTok user, disclosed that she and her boyfriend had given Brian a ride when they picked him up hitchhiking from Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.
Gabby’s remains were eventually found at Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area, roughly a 35-minute drive from the national park.
Miranda recounted her unusual encounter with Brian in TikTok videos, noting that he offered $200 for a ride of just ten miles.
Miranda shared, “Once I said Jackson Hole he became agitated. He seemed like he needed to get out, he was kind of antsy. And that’s when things got weird.”
She added, “He kind of hurried out of the car, and then was like ‘I’m going to find someone else to hitchhike’, and we’re like, ‘okay’. It was a weird situation.”
Miranda later informed the police of her observations.
Another van-life TikToker, Jessica Shultz, also provided crucial information to the authorities. She believed she saw a white van driven by Laundrie near Grand Teton National Park and noticed his strange behavior.
Jessica shared in a TikTok video, “He was very awkward and confused and it was just him, there was no Gabby. I called the FBI (on Thursday) and said, ‘Guys, look at Spread Creek’.”
By Sunday, authorities had located Gabby’s body.
Ms. Shultz reported that an FBI agent told her, “I’ve talked to hundreds of people, but you guys are the ones that really tipped us off to the right place, so thank you,” as reported by the Independent at the time.
Brian was subsequently found deceased, having died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head at Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County, Florida. Near his body, a suspected suicide note was discovered, in which he admitted to ‘mercifully’ ‘ending Gabby’s life.’
The series “American Murder: Gabby Petito” is now available for streaming on Netflix.