WARNING: This article contains references to murder, domestic abuse, violence against women, and suicide.
Netflix’s crime docuseries, American Murder: Gabby Petito, offers new insight into the true case of Gabby Petito and how it inspired a new law against domestic violence in the United States. Gabrielle “Gabby” Petito disappeared in August 2021 while traveling across the United States with her fiancé, Brian Laundrie. Through interviews with friends and family, and video footage from the couple’s road trip, the Netflix series depicts what really happened to Gabby Petito in the days prior to her disappearance, Laundrie’s suspicious behavior in the weeks after, and the eventual discovery of her remains in September 2021.
Throughout the docuseries, the timeline of Gabby Petito’s disappearance, her relationship with Brian Laundrie, the discovery of her remains and Laudrie’s involvement are explored, through video footage, text messages, and interviews with friends and family. After Petito’s remains were recovered, it was revealed in the Netflix crime series that the police were looking at Brian Laundrie as the prime suspect in her death; Laundrie was later found dead by suicide in October 2021. Petito’s relationship with Laundrie played an important aspect in her murder investigation and contributed to the creation of a new law dealing with domestic violence cases.
A Bill Inspired By Gabby Petito’s Death Led To Mandatory Questions Law Enforcement Must Ask Potential Domestic Violence Victims
The 12 Questions Bill Was Passed To Change How Domestic Violence Cases Are Dealt
Throughout American Murder: Gabby Petito, the troubled relationship between Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie is deeply explored; friends and family stated that Laundrie was abusive towards Petito, with one of Petito’s friends, Rose Davis, stating that Laundrie “had this possessiveness over Gabby,” and didn’t like her going out with friends. The Netflix docuseries recreates Gabby Petito’s voice using AI, to read letters and text messages, documenting her frustrations with how Laundrie treated her. In a message exchange with a former boyfriend before her death, Petito expressed intentions of leaving Laundrie, but “wasn’t sure of what he could do” to her.
| The Mandatory Questions Asked Under The 12 Questions Bill |
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| 1. Did the aggressor ever use a weapon against you or threaten you with a weapon? |
| 2. Did the aggressor ever threaten to kill you or your children? |
| 3. Do you believe the aggressor will try to kill you? |
| 4. Has the aggressor ever choked you or attempted to choke you? |
| 5. Does the aggressor have a gun, or could the aggressor easily obtain a gun? |
| 6. Is the aggressor violently or constantly jealous, or does the aggressor control most of your daily activities? |
| 7. Did you leave or separate from the aggressor after you were living together or married? |
| 8. Is the aggressor unemployed? |
| 9. To the best of your knowledge, has the aggressor ever attempted suicide? |
| 10. Do you have a child whom the aggressor believes is not the aggressor’s biological child? |
| 11. Has the aggressor ever followed, spied on, or left threatening messages for you? |
| 12. Is there anything else that worries you about your safety and, if so, what worries you? |
After Petito’s death, a new law was implemented in Florida, to change how law enforcement changes how cases of domestic violence are handled (via NBC Montana). The bill, also known as The Gabby Petito Act, was passed by the House and Senate and established a list of 12 mandatory questions that law enforcement agents must ask a potential domestic abuse victim, when responding to a domestic call (via Unilad). The bill was highly advocated by Petito’s parents, Joseph Petito and Nicole Schmidt; in the Netflix docuseries, they are shown at Utah’s Capitol Hill, expressing their support of the bill.
Why Gabby Petito’s Family Advocated For The “12 Questions” Bill For Domestic Violence Victims
Gabby Petito & Brian Laundrie Were Questioned By Police Regarding A Domestic Violence Incident In August 2021
Shortly before her disappearance, on August 12, 2021, Petito and Laundrie were reported to police for a domestic dispute at Arches National Park, where Laundrie was reported to have physically assaulted Petito (via CNN). The police body-cam footage of the investigation is shown in the Netflix docuseries and shows both Petito and Laundrie being separately questioned and advised to spend the night apart; the case was eventually dismissed as a “mental health crisis” (via KUTV). Petito’s parents unsuccessfully sued the Moab City PD for their handling over the incident, stating that authorities failed to prevent her death (via People).
Petito’s mother, Nicole Schmidt, spoke at Utah’s Capitol Hill, stating that had the 12 Questions Bill had been in place at the time of her daughter’s death “she’d still be here today.” The Gabby Petito Foundation was established in October 2021 by her parents to raise awareness of domestic abuse and provide support through prevention, awareness and education packages (via Gabby Petito Foundation). As revealed in American Murder: Gabby Petito, Petito’s family and friends are hopeful that her story, the foundation and the new 12 Questions Bill will help raise further awareness about the issues of domestic abuse in relationships.
