Featured Image Credit: Netflix
Topics: Crime, Documentaries, Gabby Petito, Netflix, News, True crime, Instagram, Domestic Abuse
Joe Yates
Topics: Crime, Documentaries, Gabby Petito, Netflix, News, True crime, Instagram, Domestic Abuse
Warning: This article contains discussion of domestic violence which some readers may find distressing.
In the years that have followed since the death of Gabby Petito at the hands of her fiancé Brian Laundrie, Brian's sister has opened up about why she no longer speaks to her parents.
A new three-part Netflix series into the deaths of the travel influencer and her partner, titled American Murder: Gabby Petito, has shone a fresh light on the 2021 murder-suicide.
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After more than two years together, Gabby and Brian set off on a cross-country trip of a lifetime in July 2021, living out of a Ford Transit van they converted into a camper.
But their Instagram-perfect relationship was a far cry from reality, as the pair went from being young and in love to the center of a criminal investigation.
An autopsy later found that Gabby was killed by 'blunt-force injuries' to her head and neck and 'manual strangulation' believed to be on either August 27 or 28, 2021.
Just under a month later, Laundrie died by way of suicide believed to be on September 21. The following month, his remains were discovered, with medical examiners concluding that he died from a gunshot wound to the head.
Now, his sister Cassie Luycx has revealed that she 'no longer talks to parents' amid the family backlash following the release of the documentary.
In a cryptic Instagram post, Cassie appeared to suggest that the reason she stopped talking to her parents was because of the horrific events that unfolded, and that her family never told her of what had happened, and she instead heard the news from the police.
"No one from any family contacted me until detective Barry called me. Detective Barry gravely miscommunicated what I told her in the phone," wrote an account understood to belong to her.
Cassie also captioned the post: “If you’re new here and just starting to attack me today. I’ve been non contact with my parents for almost two years. Have fun. #heal.”
Flicking through old posts, it is clear to see that Cassie has used the social media account to document her grief journey, having lost her brother who she was close to.
One post reads: "I never get to be safe from my trauma do I?"
While another states: "When I was crying for people to leave me alone.. I didn’t mean my people, my family, my friends.
"I’ve learned and grown. I’ve become brave and confident. I’m ready to take the next steps of this forced life. I believe the truth will make the real change for people."
While on the anniversary of Laundrie's death, she posted a picture with the caption: "My life changed 2 years ago today because I did everything quietly & cooperatively with law enforcement & without a show; I am alone."
If you are experiencing domestic violence, please know that you are not alone. You can talk in confidence 24 hours a day to the national domestic violence helpline on 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) 24/7. You can find a list of local resources here.