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Netflix’s ‘American Murder: Gabby Petito’ premieres Feb. 17

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Gabby Petito became a household name in 2021 when her disappearance and subsequent murder captivated the nation.

Now, Netflix’s upcoming documentary series, “American Murder: Gabby Petito,” looks to shed light on the young Long Island woman’s life and the tragic series of events that unfolded during her ill-fated road trip in 2021 with fiancé Brian Laundrie.

The three-part series premieres Feb. 17, featuring interviews with family and friends.

Petito, a 22-year-old vlogger from Blue Point, had been documenting her travels with Laundrie on social media, as the couple traveled cross-country in a converted camper van. While her Instagram posts portrayed a blissful journey, her messages to family became increasingly concerning before ceasing altogether.

Laundrie came back to his parents’ home in North Port, Florida, on Sept. 1, 2021 — alone and unwilling to speak with authorities.

The investigation into Petito’s disappearance quickly went viral, fueled intensely by her social media presence. Internet sleuths across the United States scoured her posts, analyzed details and speculated about her fate.

Petito’s remains were found Sept. 19 in Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National Forest, part of Grand Teton National Park. Authorities ruled her death a homicide by strangulation.

Netflix says its documentary delves beyond the media frenzy to focus on Petito’s life, her struggles in an abusive relationship, and the impact of her loss. “American Murder: Gabby Petito” incorporates text messages, video footage and excerpts from her personal journals to reveal the reality behind her “Insta-perfect” illusion.

A legacy of heartbreak

Known for her cheerful demeanor and artistic spirit, Petito dreamt of exploring the world and sharing her experiences. Her relationship with Laundrie began after high school and eventually led to an engagement, though friends and family later shared concerns about his possessiveness and anger.

Their cross-country trip began on July 2, 2021, but by mid-August, cracks in their seemingly happy relationship became visible.

On Aug. 12, a 911 caller reported seeing the couple in a physical altercation in Moab, Utah. Police separated them for the night but allowed them to continue their journey the next day.

Days before her death, police body cam video showed Gabby Petito, 22, of Blue Point was visibly shaken while talking with Utah police about a physical encounter she had earlier with her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie.

Petito was last seen alive Aug. 27 in Wyoming; texts sent from her phone after that raised suspicions about whether she was the one writing them.

Laundrie became a person of interest in the case but disappeared from his parents’ home on Sept. 17, 2021. Following a nationwide manhunt, his remains were discovered Oct. 20 in Florida’s Carlton Reserve, after authorities had been directed to the vicinity by his parents. He had killed himself, authorities said, leaving behind a notebook in which he admitted responsibility for Petito’s death.

Netflix vs. Lifetime

Lifetime released an original movie, “The Gabby Petito Story” in 2022 (Lifetime movie still).

This is not the first time the Petito case has been explored on screen. Lifetime released “The Gabby Petito Story” in October 2022, a dramatized portrayal of events. Netflix says its series delivers a more intimate and comprehensive look at the case.

The release of “American Murder: Gabby Petito” comes about a year after Petito’s family settled a lawsuit with Laundrie’s parents that alleged Brian Laundrie had confided in his parents before he returned home without Petito that he had killed her. Terms of the resolution were kept confidential.

A separate wrongful death lawsuit filed by Petito’s family against the Laundries was settled in 2022 for $3 million. That lawsuit alleged that Laundrie’s parents knew of Gabby’s murder while assisting their son in evading authorities.

Top photo: Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie in the van they traveled cross-country in (still image from Netflix trailer for “American Murder: Gabby Petito”).

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