A new Netflix docuseries, "American Murder: Gabby Petito," offers an intimate look into the tragic case, featuring exclusive interviews with Gabby Petito's family and friends, and unveiling previously unseen text messages. This project marks the first documentary on the case made with the cooperation of Petito's loved ones.
Filmmakers Julia Willoughby Nason and Michael Gasparro shared with Fox News Digital the weight of responsibility they felt in portraying Petito's story accurately and respectfully. Gaining the family's trust was paramount, and their involvement provided access to crucial materials like Petito's journals, artwork, and text exchanges with Brian Laundrie. These messages, according to Nason, reveal the subtle yet insidious nature of the manipulation Petito endured.
The docuseries exposes a disturbing reality hidden beneath the veneer of the couple's seemingly idyllic cross-country road trip. An interview with Petito's ex-boyfriend, Jackson, reveals her desire to leave Laundrie, coupled with her fear of his potential reaction.
The timeline of events leading up to Petito's disappearance is meticulously detailed, including the Moab, Utah, domestic incident and Laundrie's subsequent return to Florida. During this period, Petito confided in Jackson about her desire to leave the relationship. Later, upon Laundrie's return, the couple arrived in Jackson, Wyoming, where Petito again reached out to her ex-boyfriend. That same day, the couple were seen at the Merry Piglets restaurant, where witnesses observed Laundrie arguing with staff. Text messages between Petito and Laundrie offer insight into the situation, suggesting Petito felt unwell after eating there. Later that day, Petito was last seen alive on surveillance footage at a Whole Foods. She attempted to call her ex-boyfriend, but he was unable to answer. In one of her final messages to her mother, Petito hinted at the possibility of pursuing her van-life blogging aspirations without Laundrie. The documentary also includes exclusive footage obtained by Fox News Digital from the day Laundrie's remains and belongings were discovered.
The documentary also unveils a previously unknown witness to the Moab incident who contacted the FBI after seeing news reports of Petito's disappearance. This witness reported observing a man slapping a woman in a white van matching the description of Petito and Laundrie's vehicle. Petito’s mother expressed a desire to connect with this witness. Inspired by Petito’s story, individuals have reached out to her parents, sharing how it empowered them to leave abusive relationships. The Gabby Petito Foundation, established by her parents, continues to advocate for domestic violence victims and missing persons.
The foundation is also highlighting the case of Nikki McCain, a missing woman from Redding, California, whose disappearance shares unsettling parallels with Petito's case, including a history of domestic violence allegations against McCain's husband.
The Petito family urges anyone with information about McCain's whereabouts to contact authorities.
