The Netflix documentary series American Murder: Gabby Petito has put Brian Laundrie’s murder of his fiancé Gabby Petito back in the spotlight, including the notebook where he confessed to killing her.
Brian Laundrie murdered 22-year-old Gabby Petito while they were travelling in a van during a four-month-cross-country trip across America in 2021.
The case captured attention worldwide, and this new docuseries chronicles the tragedy from start to finish.
In 2021 some 4,970 women were victims of murder and nonnegligent manslaughter in the U.S. Data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics found that 34 percent of these women were killed by an intimate partner, and 76 percent of female murder victims were killed by someone they knew.
What To Know
After Petitio disappeared, Laundrie drove a van from Wyoming back to his parents’ home in Florida. He left his home on September 13 and four days later was reported missing.
His remains were found in Florida’s Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park on October 20. Laundrie died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
The FBI recovered a notebook near his remains, as well as some of his other belongings—including a revolver.
What Brian Laundrie’s Notebook Said
Brian Laundrie’s notebook was released by Attorney Steve Bertolino.
The account put forth by Laundrie in the notebook has been disputed by both law enforcement and experts, who say that it doesn’t match up with the investigation’s findings.
The following is a rough transcription of the pages that have been released.
What People Are Saying
The Laundrie family’s attorney Steve Bertolino put out this statement when he released the notebook: “Today the Petito family attorney, Patrick Reilly, and myself met with the FBI in Tampa to sort through and take possession of the personal items that belonged to Gabby and Brian. This was a previously agreed upon exchange to enable both the Petitos and the Laundries to receive what belonged to their respective children. As part of this return of property in FBI custody I was given Brian’s notebook. I would like to share with the public the note that the FBI alluded to when they said on January 21, 2022 that Brian claimed responsibility for the death of Gabby Petito. Although I have chosen to release this letter as a matter of transparency I will not be commenting further as there are still proceedings pending in Court. These are Brian’s words.”
Ahead of the documentary’s release, Nicole Schmidt, Petito’s mother told Tudum: “When you’re watching a documentary like this, remember that it’s not just a story. It’s not just entertainment for you; it’s not just ‘true crime.’”
“Remember that there are always real lives involved and that these things can happen to anyone.”
What’s Next
The FBI and Petito’s family have raised questions over Laundrie’s account shared in the notebook pages.
Anyone seeking help should call the National Domestic Violence Hotline, a free and confidential hotline available 24/7. It can be reached on 1-800-799-7233 or TTY 1-800-787-3224. The hotline also provides information on local resources. For more information visit thehotline.org.
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