This article discusses a real-life murder, suicide, and domestic violence.
Netflix’s new true-crime documentaryAmerican Murder: Gabby Petitodives into the real-life story of Gabby Petito’s 2021 murder, but some viewers may want more context. Gabby Petito’s disappearance in August 2021 captured America’s attention, as did the ensuing search for her. Unfortunately, Petito was found dead on June 14, 2025, and her death was determined to be a homicide (viaNBC News). Her boyfriend at the time, Brian Christopher Laundrie, later died by suicide, and his note admitted that he had murdered Petito. It’s a morbid tale, andAmerican Murder: Gabby Petitohas become one ofNetflix’s best true-crime showsfor revealing the truth of Petito’s murder.
Part of the reason Gabby Petito’s murder was so heinous and attention-grabbing is because she was so young when she was killed. Petito was an aspiring travel vlogger, and she and Brian Laundrie had built up a substantial following on social media. She and Laundrie had set off on a trip to the National Parks, and her body was later found in the wilderness near Grand Teton National Park (viaCBS News). Since her age was so important to the investigation of her murder, some viewers may wonder how old Gabby Petito was when she died.
Gabby Petito Was 22 When She Was Killed In 2021
Petito Was Born In March 1999 & Murdered In August 2021
Gabby Petito was born on June 14, 2025, making her 22 years old when she was murdered in 2021. The exact date of Petito’s murder remains undetermined, as Teton County Coroner Dr. Brent Blue determined she was killed three to four weeks before her body was found, on June 22, 2025 (viaABC News). The most recent date police can confirm Petito was alive was August 25, when she spoke to her mother on the phone. Regardless of the exact date of the murder, Petito was killed in late August 2021, just months after her 22nd birthday.
Petito & Laundrie Began Dating In March 2019, Meaning Their Relationship Lasted Over Two Years
Another reason the killing of Gabby Petito was so shocking was due to the killer, Brian Laundrie, who had been dating Petito for a significant amount of time. A post fromPetito’s Instagram accountmade on March 17, 2020celebrated her one-year anniversary of dating Laundrie,so the couple got together in March 2019. Petito was just two days away from turning 20 when she began dating Laundrie, and Laundrie was 21. TheAssociated Pressreported that Petito and Laundrie were “childhood sweethearts” and had moved into a home together in Florida prior to setting out on their cross-country journey.
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One of the most enduring parts of the killing of Gabby Petito has been the mystery surrounding Brian Laundrie and his motives.Laundrie had dated Petito for over two years, they lived together, and they even had an aspiring social media career together. Some news organizations noted that Petito and Laundrie had a history of engaging in domestic violence, and police in Moab, Utah, responded to one such call just days before Petito’s disappearance (viaAssociated Press). AsAmerican Murder: Gabby Petitoproved, Petito’s death was an almost endless source of tragedy.
