‘American Murder: Gabby Petito’ Netflix Series Review - A Well-Made Sad Documentary

Gabby Petito was a 22-year-old aspiring travel vlogger who had embarked on a cross-country road trip with her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, in the summer of 2021. Through their social media accounts, the couple documented their travels, presenting an idyllic image of van life that captivated thousands of followers. However, beneath the surface, their relationship harbored deep and troubling issues. What began as a journey of adventure and self-discovery turned into a national tragedy when Gabby was reported missing in September 2021. Her disappearance sparked widespread media attention, leading to a massive search effort. Eventually, her remains were discovered in Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National Forest, confirming that she had been murdered. The primary suspect in her death was none other than Laundrie, who had returned home to Florida without her and refused to cooperate with the authorities.

The case took another shocking turn when Brian Laundrie himself went missing. Weeks later, his body was found in a Florida nature reserve, and it was determined that he had died by suicide from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A notebook recovered near his remains contained a confession to Gabby’s murder. Despite this, the case left behind many unanswered questions, particularly regarding the role of Laundrie’s parents. Speculation grew that they may have assisted him in evading law enforcement, as they remained silent for weeks before finally revealing information about his whereabouts. Many believed they had deliberately helped him escape, further fueling public outrage.

The documentary American Murder: Gabby Petito delves deeply into the circumstances surrounding Gabby’s tragic death. With interviews from Gabby's family and close friends the couple's mutual friends and police officials, the docuseries becomes even more interesting to watch. It is fast-paced and also showcases clippings and media footage. All this provides us with a deeper insight into what happened. But all this does make you feel sad when you see video clippings of Gabby- a beautiful lively happy go happy-go-lucky girl and the tragedy that followed her.

At its core, American Murder: Gabby Petito is an exploration of the failures that allowed this tragedy to unfold. It serves as a stark reminder that, despite increasing awareness of intimate partner violence, countless victims still slip through the cracks. While the documentary provides insight into the events leading up to Gabby’s murder, it ultimately leaves viewers with a sense of sadness. This documentary, American Murder: Gabby Petito presents a tragic story that highlights the complexities of domestic violence, law enforcement response, and media attention in high-profile cases. While it raises important questions, it leaves viewers to reflect on the circumstances that led to Gabby’s fate and the broader societal issues at play. Rather than offering definitive answers, the documentary encourages further discussion on awareness, intervention, and the ongoing efforts to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Let me be very clear dear readers, this is a very sad docuseries. So watch only if you are brave enough. 

Final Score- [8/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times