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A new Netflix documentary about Gabby Petito’s murder is facing criticism from her killer’s inner circle. The attorney representing Brian Laundrie’s parents claims the three-part series contains “many inaccuracies” while not specifying any particular errors.
Attorney Steve Bertolino’s criticisms target “American Murder: Gabby Petito,” a three-part series that premiered Feb. 17, examining the tragic events of 2021 when Petito disappeared during what was supposed to be a romantic cross-country van trip with Laundrie.
After strangling Petito, 22, and leaving her body in Grand Teton National Park, Laundrie, 23, drove their van back to Florida alone, setting off a nationwide search that ended with the discovery of his girlfriend’s remains and his subsequent confession and suicide.
Speaking to multiple outlets, Bertolino characterized the documentary as presenting just “one perspective depicted as the ‘truth’ as seen through their lens,” comparing it to current political divisions where “each side believes their perspective is correct.”
The lawyer from Chris and Roberta Laundrie asserted that the series contained “many inaccuracies and incorrect juxtapositions of timelines, and misstatements and omissions of fact,” according to E! News.
Among the series’ most disturbing revelations was a letter from Roberta Laundrie to her son Brian marked “burn after reading.” She wrote in the letter, according to Netflix, “If you need to dispose of a body, I will show up with a shovel and garbage bags.”
When questioned about this in 2023, Roberta Laundrie claimed the letter was written before the couple’s cross-country trip and was “in no way related to Gabby.” In the documentary, Petito’s stepmother called the letter “disgusting,” while her biological mother said it made her “sick to my stomach.”
The filmmakers, Julia Willoughby Nason and Michael Gasparro, secured extensive cooperation from Petito’s family, who shared personal archives of videos and artwork to help tell their daughter’s story. They told US Weekly they made multiple attempts to include the Laundrie family’s perspective, reaching out to the family, their lawyer, and Laundrie’s sister, but ultimately had to proceed without their participation.
The Petito family has since settled two civil lawsuits against the Laundries — a $3 million wrongful death suit in November 2022 and an emotional distress claim in February 2024. The latter alleged that the Laundries knew about Petito’s death but continued to offer false hope about her being found alive.
Despite his criticisms of the documentary, Bertolino acknowledged the core facts of the case, stating, “We all know Brian took Gabby’s life and Brian then took his own as well,” while calling for both families to be allowed to “mourn them in peace.”
Top photos: Bayport-Blue Point High School yearbook photos of Gasbby Petito and Brian Laundrie.
