A new Netflix documentary reveals how TikTok helped solve the murder case of influencer Gabby Petito.
American Murder: Gabby Petito, a three-part documentary series, talks about the death of the 22-year-old influencer who produced travel content on social media.
She disappeared in August 2021, just three weeks after starting a road trip across the country with her fiancé, Brian Laundrie.
The two were living in a converted Ford Transit van, but the young woman only managed to post one video on YouTube documenting their journey before she disappeared.
Her sudden disappearance made international headlines, with her family concerned and members of the public eager to help locate her. And it was TikTok users who helped authorities understand what happened to Gabby.
Millions of people shared information on the app, helping the police narrow down the area where she had disappeared. On TikTok, Miranda Baker gave a statement revealing that she and her boyfriend had seen Brian asking for a ride at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.
After Baker posted a series of videos on the subject, revealing that Brian had offered $200 for a ride, Gabby’s body was found at the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area, 35 minutes’ drive from the national park.
Jessica Shultz, a TikToker known for her motorhome travel content, also provided important information to the police. She reported seeing a white van driven by Brian near Grand Teton National Park and noticed unusual behavior from him.
Brian was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head in the Carlton Reserve, Sarasota County, Florida. Next to his body, a possible suicide note was found in which he confessed to “mercifully ending Gabby’s life.”
Photo and video: YouTube @nomadicstatik4941. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.