American Murder: Gabby Petito – Review | Netflix

AMERICAN MURDER: GABBY PETITO on Netflix is a true-crime documentary in three parts with the participation of the family and friends of the victim. A brutal and very recent crime, you’ll want to watch this one. Read our full American Murder: Gabby Petito docuseries review here!

AMERICAN MURDER: GABBY PETITO is a new Netflix true-crime documentary series. We’ve already covered the two previous installments of American Murder and they continue to be strong storytelling and powerful coverage.

DO CHECK OUT

Our review of American Murder: The Family Next Door which we gave a top rating > 

And also, American Murder: Laci Peterson which came out in 2024 >

This one has three episodes, but it’s impossible not to simply binge-watch it. You do not want to miss out on this one – just prepare to get angry along the way. Mostly at the family of Brian Laundrie.

Continue reading our American Murder: Gabby Petito docuseries review below. Find it on Netflix from February 17, 2025.

The final days of Gabby Petito

American Murder: Gabby Petito covers what happened in the final days of Gabby Petito’s life. However, to help us understand the situation even better, we also hear how Gabby met Brian Laundrie and hear more about the nature of their relationship.

Fortunately, in this age of social media and text messaging, we’re not relying on other people’s descriptions of their relationship dynamics. We’ve got their own words. Also, we have body cam footage of a domestic abuse event that happened briefly before the 22-year-old Gabby Petito was murdered.

It happened in August 2021, while the young couple, Gabby and Brian, were on a road trip in their van. Gabby wanted to be a van vlogger telling the world about their “van life” as nomads traveling around the US.

The case played out in real-time as Gabby Petito became a missing person, while her fiance Brian Laundrie had returned home. With their van. Or rather, her van as it was registered to be owned by Gabby. His parents kept him hidden and refused to talk to the police.

When I heard about the case, I couldn’t understand why the police couldn’t do anything. Having watched this Netflix docuseries, I still don’t understand. The family “lawyered” up and they were white, which – to me, anyway – seems to be a big part of why he could just avoid the police altogether.

A very recent true crime case

Often, true crime can feel quite recent despite being cases that took place some time ago. This particular murder happened in August of 2021, so it is very recent. If it wasn’t for Gabby Petito’s family and friends wanting a focus on the case – and participate in the documentary – it would surely be too soon.

However, they are part of this Netflix production and recognize the value of getting the story out. Having already heard from domestic abuse victims that the story of Gabby Petito’s murder helped them leave, is enough to keep going.

They can’t bring their daughter, sister, and friend back, but they can help others.

Watch American Murder: Gabby Petito on Netflix now

American Murder: Gabby Petito is the third installment of the American Murder documentary series. This true crime is covered in three episodes and even if you may know most details, it probably has something new or extra for you still.

The directors of this Netflix docuseries are Julia Willoughby Nason & Michael Gasparro (Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal). Among the producers, we have Dr. Philip C. McGraw (aka Dr. Phil) and while I am certainly no fan of his – quite the opposite – this documentary doesn’t feel exploitative in any way. Which is what I would expect from him!

This Netflix docuseries is described as going “beyond the media frenzy” and having real text messages, video footage, and excerpts from Gabby Petito’s personal journals. All these elements make for a sober coverage that focuses on the murder victim.

Not least to show how Gabby was a young woman in an abusive relationship. I believed it was mostly psychological, but it did escalate into being physical even before the murder.

Family and friends of Gabby Petito participate along with first-hand law enforcement individuals. In other words, this Netflix true crime production does everything right. Including covering racial bias in missing people cases.

American Murder: Gabby Petito is on Netflix from February 17, 2025.