The disappearance and death of Gabby Petito have attracted attention internationally, being broadcast not only on television news but social media as well, where users from across all platforms became invested in finding out what had happened to her over the course of the months while raising awareness for domestic violence.
The 22-year-old’s body was found near a campground in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park on Sept. 19, according to a report from CNN. Petito was reported missing by her family on Sept. 11 when her boyfriend Brian Laundrie returned home from their road trip without her a week prior to her remains being found.
Social media platforms, like TikTok and Youtube, became information exchanges for the public through internet detectives: individuals who use their time to investigate crimes through the web. These detectives, or users of social media apps, had been determined to gather evidence, analyze photographs and create a timeline of the disappearance of Petito in order to solve the crime.
Thousands of videos have been uploaded on TikTok with the #GabyPetito of users discussing their theories and sharing knowledge about the case. For some, social media is where they first heard about Petito’s case.
“I found out about the case in early September, but I didn’t think anything of it,” Elisabeth Eastus, a sophomore at the University of Rhode Island, said. “It was when the case began flooding my for you page on TikTok that it caught my attention.”
Videos including both Petito and Laundrie’s personal blogs on social media were analyzed for any evidence. Because Petito was an active blogger and gave insight into her life online, these digital detectives found it interesting when her posts suddenly stopped.
“I am so infatuated with crime series, so I decided to do my own research on the case,” said Eastus. “Like the others online, I wanted to do my part and get involved.”
After police released police body camera footage from Aug. 12 of the couple when they were pulled over on Aug. 12, many questions were raised. This led the internet detectives to dive deeper, exploring Petito and Laundrie’s relationship, which prompted a discussion about domestic violence.
“I was on TikTok one morning and every video on my page was talking about Gabby,” Olivia Quagan, sophomore URI student, said. “I clicked the trending hashtag and scrolled through all the videos that were posted, giving me the information I needed.”
Through the use of social media, the location of the white van the couple was using was spotted in Wyoming. The Bethunes, travel bloggers, posted and submitted their video to the FBI when they believed the van belonged to the couple, according to an article posted by NBC New York.
The finding of the van was a major piece of evidence that led the police to find the missing body of Petito. As hundreds of thousands, or millions, of people on social media, attempted to solve this crime, Petito’s name remained respected and honored during this time of mourning.
“Vloggers on TikTok and YouTube are the real-life source of media,” Eastus said. “It provides us, on most occasions, with more detail than new channels do.”
Because of this case, many people have been advocating to spread awareness about domestic violence and signs of dating abuse.
“What may appear to be or presented as caring is actually controlling,” Cory Clark, the director of the URI Counseling Center, said. “When a partner starts to monitor your every action and control who you are allowed to see, these can be signs.”
Petito and Laundrie were dating for over two years and got engaged in July 2020. Online, the couple shared many moments of their relationship, however, in reality, their relationship was raising concerns.
“Any significant changes in behavior and mood are worth inquiry,” said Clark. “There are many types of indicators like making excuses for injuries, always checking in with their partner, or seeming to always need to please their partner.”
This case caught the attention of many people across the country, some of who have been following the couple on social media for a long time. After the remains of Laundrie were found and confirmed on Oct. 21, the five-week-long search of Petito and Laundrie was closed.
“The only comment I have on this case is that it is, unfortunately, one of many,” Clark said. “The media seems to focus on white attractive women to bring attention to this worldwide and long-standing problem.”