It’s been almost two years since Gabby Petito’s untimely death. Over the past few years, there’s not only been an investigation into her death, but there’s also been an investigation into her boyfriend, his family, and the Moab police department due to their handling of a domestic dispute between Gabby Petito and her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie. Unfortunately for Gabby’s parents, they’re still dealing with legal battles stemming from their daughter’s tragic death. Even two years later, updates about Gabby Petito captivate audiences from around the world. 

Summer 2021

What happened to Gabby Petito

In case you weren’t following the Gabby Petito case at the time, here’s how it all went down: it all started when Gabby Petito and her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, began traveling across the country in their van. According to eye-witness statements, Gabby Petito was last seen alive at the end of August, likely the 27th, but possibly the 28th. Due to the fact that Gabby was traveling, her parents did not immediately notice that she was missing. They filed a missing persons report on September 11th, 2021. On September 1st, Brian Laundrie returned to his parents’ home in Florida alone, in Gabby’s van. The Laundrie family went on a camping trip on September 6th and 7th. On September 15th, 2021, Brian Laundrie’s parents reported Brian missing. Brian was found deceased on October 20th, 2021. According to forensic anthropologists, his death was a suicide, caused by a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Did Brian Murder Gabby?

In a suicide note left near Laundrie’s remains, he claims responsibility for Gabby’s death, stating that he mercifully ended her life after she accidentally fell and hit her head. In the note, Laundrie claimed that Gabby was suffering from hypothermia and a head wound, and that he believed that ending her life would be the most merciful thing. Brian’s claims of a mercy killing are certainly possible. However, they have not been subject to rigorous scrutiny in a trial, as Brian ended his life before he could be tried for the murder of Gabby Petito. Furthermore, multiple experts have expressed doubt regarding Laundrie’s version of events. Absent a trial, we cannot say definitively that Brian Laundrie murdered Gabby Petito. However, experts claim that his version of events don’t quite add up, and there seems to be evidence that suggests that the couple had a volatile and intense relationship. At the time of writing this blog, there is currently no ongoing criminal investigation into the death of Gabby Petito.

The Traffic Stop in Utah

What happened to Gabby Petito

While the criminal investigation into Gabby’s disappearance and death is no longer ongoing, Gabby’s parents are still fighting some legal issues surrounding her untimely death. Petito’s parents have filed a lawsuit against the Moab police department. In short, the lawsuit alleges that the police officers who stopped Brian Laundrie and Gabby Petito in Moab did not follow domestic violence protocol and, if they had followed the protocol, Gabby may still be alive today. An amended complaint alleges that the officers who stopped Gabby and Brian should have done more to ensure the safety of Gabby since one of the officers had stated that he noticed red flags in Brian’s conduct. Though the $50 million dollar lawsuit has some people raising their eyebrows, it’s not uncommon to see multi-million dollar lawsuits when the negligence of an organization may have contributed to the death of a person. In some cases, these multi-million dollar lawsuits can inspire reform, and additional dedication to adhering to precautions and protocols put in place to promote safety.

The Burn after Reading Letter

Brian Laundrie’s mother wrote him a letter that was found in a backpack near his remains. In this letter, Brian’s mother claims, in short, that she will help him dispose of a body, and break out of jail. Though Brian’s mother has claimed that the letter has no connection to Petito’s death and that the letter was just her quirky way of expressing her love, many people find her unusual expression of love to be suspicious, especially given that her son was widely believed to have murdered his girlfriend before he took his own life. Gabby’s parents have filed a lawsuit against Brian’s parents for intentional infliction of emotional distress. Currently, the trial is scheduled to begin next year.

Nothing Is What It Seems

What happened to Gabby Petito

When discussing this case, it’s often important to remember that what we see on social media isn’t always indicative of reality. The video Gabby and Brian have uploaded show an adventurous and happy couple in the prime of their lives. We now have reason to believe that perhaps their relationship wasn’t as wonderful as what was portrayed in social media posts. If you have a friend or family member who is in a relationship that doesn’t seem to be quite healthy, don’t wait to reach out to your friend. Even if they aren’t ready to end the relationship, simply being there for your loved one can make all the difference.