A new Netflix series examining the murder case of Gabby Petito, a 'vanlife' influencer who was killed by her own fiancé, has helped to outline how TikTok helped to solve the young woman's murder.
Aspiring vlogger Gabby went missing just three weeks into the cross-country trip of a lifetime with Brian Laundrie in August, 2021.
Living in a converted Ford transit van, the 22-year-old only ever posted one YouTube video documenting their journey before her death. And their seemingly Instagram-perfect relationship was a far cry from reality, ending in both their deaths.
Now, three-part series American Murder: Gabby Petito, released on Netflix, tells the story of her final few days alive.
Advert
Her missing person's case sparked international headlines, with her worried family and members of the public eager to try and locate her.
And it was people on social media - particularly TikTok - who helped authorities piece together what happened to Gabby.
Millions of people shared information on the short-form video site, helping officers to narrow down the area where she went missing. And TikTok user Miranda Baker revealed that she and her boyfriend had actually picked up Brian hitchhiking from Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.
Gabby's body was later discovered at Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area, a 35-minute drive away from the national park.
Miranda described her 'weird' encounter with Brian via a series of TikTok videos, recalling that he'd offered her $200 for a 10 mile ride.
She also recalled: “Once I said Jackson Hole he became agitated. He seemed like he needed to get out, he was kind of antsy. And that’s when things got weird.”
She continued: “He kind of hurried out of the car, and then was like 'I’m going to find someone else to hitchhike', and we’re like, 'okay'. It was a weird situation.”
Miranda went on to notify the police.
Elsewhere, van-life TikToker Jessica Shultz also provided key information to authorities.
Jessica reckoned she spotted a white van driven by Laundrie near Grand Teton National Park, and had also picked up on unusual behavior from him.
In a TikTok video, she shared: “He was very awkward and confused and it was just him, there was no Gabby. I called the FBI (on Thursday) and said, 'Guys, look at Spread Creek'."
By the Sunday, Gabby's body had been located.
Ms Shultz said the FBI agent she spoke to said: “I’ve talked to hundreds of people, but you guys are the ones that really tipped us off to the right place, so thank you," the Independent reported at the time.
Brian was later found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head at Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County, Florida. Found next to his body was a suspected suicide note, in which he confessed to 'mercifully' 'ending Gabby's life'.
American Murder: Gabby Petito is available to stream now on Netflix.
Topics: Gabby Petito, Social Media, TikTok, Netflix, True crime, Crime, Film and TV
Ellie Kemp