Netflix has readied its third “American Murder” docuseries following 2020’s “American Murder: The Family Next Door” and 2024’s “American Murder: Laci Peterson.” This next installment looks back at the 2021 murder of 22-year-Gabby Petito by her fiance, Brian Laundrie, while the young couple was on a road trip across the United States.
Petito and Laundrie were documenting their “van life” journey on social media. Petito was killed in August; Laundrie’s parents were suspected of helping to cover up the murder. Laundrie shot and killed himself two months later.
“While taking viewers on a journey through Gabby and Brian’s final days together, the series will unveil the tragic reality behind their Insta-perfect life and reveal painful moments where their story might have taken a different turn,” per Netflix.
In the trailer, posted below, we see two sides to Gabby and Brian’s relationship — what their followers saw on social media, and what the police saw when Brian assaulted Gabby.
“American Murder: Gabby Petito” is produced by Cinemart and Stage 29. It is directed and executive produced by Julia Willoughby Nason and Michael Gasparro. Other EPs are Dr. Phillip C. McGraw (yep, Dr. Phil — Stage 29 is his production company) and Sarah Carden.
“American Murder: Gabby Petito” premieres February 17, 2025 on Netflix. Watch the trailer here:
Last year’s “American Murder: Laci Peterson” was excellent, if we can say such a thing about horrific subject matter. Director Skye Borgman (“The Girl in the Picture”) examined what happened to Peterson (and her unborn child) leading up to and following her disappearance on Christ Eve 2002. Peterson was eight months pregnant.
Scott Peterson, Laci’s husband, was convicted of the brutal murder. He maintains his innocence from prison. “American Murder: Laci Peterson” included an interview with Amber Frey, the woman with whom Scott was living a double life at the time of Laci’s disappearance. Frey was instrumental in building the case against Scott Peterson.
“American Murder: The Family Next Door,” directed by Jenny Popplewell, followed the heartbreaking story of 34-year-old Shanann Watts and her two young daughters who went missing in 2018 in Frederick, Colorado.