A new Netflix docuseries, American Murder: Gabby Petito, has reignited public interest in the high-profile case of Gabby Petito’s murder and the role of Brian Laundrie’s parents in the investigation. The three-part series revisits the 2021 disappearance and killing of Petito, a 22-year-old aspiring travel vlogger, whose body was found in Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National Forest. Her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, was later named a person of interest before taking his own life.
The series sheds light on Christopher and Roberta Laundrie, whose refusal to cooperate with authorities fueled public outrage. When police searched for Petito, they remained silent and directed all inquiries to their lawyer. Court records later revealed that in the days following Petito’s disappearance, Brian made multiple frantic calls to his parents. During one call, he allegedly told his father, “Gabby’s gone, I need a lawyer,” raising questions about what they knew at the time.
Another key focus of the documentary is a letter from Roberta Laundrie, found in Brian’s backpack near his remains. The envelope was labeled “burn after reading,” and in the letter, she wrote that she would help her son “dispose of a body” or smuggle tools into jail. While Roberta claimed it was written before Brian’s trip with Petito, Gabby’s family disputed this, suggesting it was connected to the murder.
Following Petito’s death, her parents sued the Laundries, alleging they knew about her murder and withheld information. The lawsuit was settled in February 2024 under undisclosed terms. Meanwhile, Brian’s sister, Cassie Laundrie, has reportedly been estranged from her parents for nearly two years.
American Murder: Gabby Petito is now streaming on Netflix, offering a deeper look into a case that continues to raise lingering questions about accountability and justice.
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