Jenn Bethune’s video tip, sparked by old footage, helped find Gabby Petito’s body during the 2021 disappearance case.
Brian Laundrie returned to Florida, driving Gabby’s van without her. He hired a lawyer, which worried Gabby’s parents. Jenn thought her video could help, and when she called the FBI, they gave her a website.
Worried about delays, she posted the video online, gaining millions of views. Gabby’s mom, Nichole, contacted her, and police then used it to revisit the campsite, searching for clues.
Tragically, they found Gabby’s body soon after; she had been strangled. Jenn will never forget this moment and became close to Gabby’s family. Jenn even went to Gabby’s funeral but refuses to watch a new documentary about it.
Jenn found the van footage on her late son’s birthday. She knew Brian and Gabby were in Wyoming but didn’t think she was there at the same time. This happened back in September 2021.
One day, while in North Dakota, she got a notification to check her footage. Jenn saw a white speck in the video that became Gabby’s van as it got closer. The cameras happened to capture it, and she found it all very meaningful.
Jenn lost her son in a car accident back in 2011. Nichole called Jenn the next morning and asked for help. She needed Jenn on news shows to help find her daughter.
Jenn went on live TV while traveling, a “wild experience” for her. She trusted her gut and shared the video, and the FBI quickly got the footage. Agents used it at the campsite.
Jenn felt relieved when they found Gabby’s body, bringing Gabby’s family some peace. She wrote about her experience in her book, which will come out next month.
Jenn said she helped someone find their child and feels that will stay with her forever. Nichole asked her to Gabby’s funeral, and Jenn stayed in the back, as it wasn’t about her.
She visited a lighthouse afterward to let go of her grief on the anniversary of her son’s accident. Jenn helped Nichole and her family, and Nichole also helped Jenn. Jenn started anew.
Nichole asked her to be in the Netflix series, which was hard because Jenn didn’t want to relive it. She was sad to hear about Brian’s suicide because Gabby’s family will never get answers.
Gabby’s stepfather spoke about the tragedy; Joe Petito crushed Gabby’s van. He didn’t want it used for other purposes and showed keepsakes they saved from the van. Gabby loved traveling the West Coast and shared it on Instagram.
Gabby, age 22, was last seen August 24, leaving a Utah hotel. Gabby and Brian began a trip in June 2021. July had photos of Gabby in Kansas, and more photos showed her at Colorado’s dunes.
August posted photos from Utah’s Zion Park. Bodycam footage showed police with Gabby and Brian. August found the YouTube video shared by them, and Gabby was last seen in Utah.
On August 25 she FaceTimed her mom, who noted tension between Gabby and Brian. Gabby posted her final Instagram then. August 27 showed the last sighting of Gabby when a witness saw Brian arguing.
Bloggers drove past their van, which looked “abandoned” August 27. Brian returned to Florida September 1. Gabby’s parents reported her missing September 11. Brian hired a lawyer on September 14 and wouldn’t cooperate.
Brian was allegedly last seen September 14, saying he would hike. September 15, Brian became a person of interest. In September, police released the bodycam video, and Brian’s parents then reported him missing.
Police searched for him but didn’t find him. Authorities found Gabby’s body September 19, and the FBI thought it was her. Police searched Brian’s home September 20 and seized items for evidence.
Officials conducted an autopsy on Gabby. Police looked for Brian again. The FBI confirmed Gabby’s identity, and the death was ruled a homicide. Police searched for Brian again September 22 but found nothing.
Officials issued a warrant for Brian September 23. Gabby’s funeral occurred September 26. Gabby died by strangulation per October 12 reports. Brian’s items were found October 20.
The remains were Brian’s. Brian died from a gunshot, November 23 showed. A movie about Gabby premiered October 1, 2022.