Latest news with #AmericanMurder:GabbyPetito
IOL News
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
When red flags go unseen: the silent cries for help in 'American Murder: Gabby Petito'
The docuseries digs deep into the couple's seemingly happy journey across the United States, with Petito and her fiancé Brian Laundrie posting their van life adventures online. Image: X/@NetflixDE Oh, the irony. The happiest people on social media often have the darkest secrets, and the "American Murder: Gabby Petito" story is a brutal reminder of this truth. If you've heard the name Gabby Petito before, it's likely because of the tragic, gut-wrenching story that's still a topic of discussion across social media. Netflix's docuseries is a reminder that behind every picture-perfect post, there's often more than meets the eye. It digs deep into the couple's seemingly happy journey across the United States, with Petito and her fiancé Brian Laundrie posting their 'van life' adventures online. What they didn't show their followers, however, were the cracks in their relationship. Right from the start, the series pulls you into a real-life horror story, beginning with the bodycam footage of a police stop in Utah. In the footage, an emergency call has prompted officers to pull over the couple's van after a domestic incident. What follows is a scene that will stay with you: despite Petito's bruises and distress, she's labelled as the aggressor, and the police choose to separate the two for the night, sending Laundrie to a hotel and leaving Petito alone in the van. Throughout the episodes, the facade of the perfect couple begins to crumble, revealing increasingly obvious flaws in their relationship. Petito, an outgoing and free-spirited individual who lived for the outdoors and social media, was trying desperately to hold it together. But behind the smiles and photos, there was a dark reality. Initially seen as a quiet and awkward fiancé, Laundrie's true character began to emerge, revealing him to be controlling, manipulative, and increasingly toxic. His actions, like confiscating Petito's ID to stop her from socialising with friends, were apparent to those who observed him. She even reached out to her ex-boyfriend, Jackson, revealing to him that she was planning to leave Brian. She confided in Jackson that she was trying to figure out when and how to break free from the abusive situation. This conversation was a telling moment, a 'cry for help,' and it showed the desperation she was feeling.
News.com.au
22-04-2025
- News.com.au
Gabby Petito's mother makes bombshell new claim after daughter's murder
Warning: Distressing The mother of a woman who was brutally strangled to death by her boyfriend while on a dream US road trip has made chilling new claims about her daughter's killer. Gabby Petito, 22, was murdered by her then-boyfriend Brian Laundrie, 23, on August 27, 2021, with her remains being found in a Wyoming forest three weeks later. Brian strangled Gabby to death and then drove her car back to his parents' home in North Port, Florida, on September 1st. He disappeared as soon as police began their investigation. Brian's skeletal remains were discovered on October 20 in a Florida national park, with police confirming his identity the following day. He died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The story made headlines around the world and was re-told in a major documentary this year. Gabby's distraught mother, Nichole Schmidt, recently appeared on an episode of The Squeeze Podcast, hosted by Twilight actor Taylor Lautner and his wife Tay, where she made some bombshell new claims about the case. She alleged that by the time Brian had gone missing, his parents had already 'cleared out his room'. 'I actually just found out some new information a few days ago,' she revealed on the show. 'There was [someone] that was at the house when Brian was missing – and I would say he was hiding, he wasn't missing, but he was actually dead – but his room was completely gutted and renovated. 'None of his things were there anymore. It was gone. 'So that very same week, Gabby was missing and cops were going to their house to try to get, I guess, a scent from their dogs to look for Brian, all his things were gone. 'The room was completely empty, just gone.' Nichole also made an explosive suggestion that she believes Brian's parents, Christopher and Roberta Laundrie, did this to his room as they 'knew he had killed Gabby'. 'It drives me crazy,' she said. 'That is one thing that keeps me up at night.' Christopher and Roberta Laundrie have not been charged with any crime and have maintained their innocence throughout the years. Nichole added that while she feels she has to forgive Brian for murdering her daughter, her entire family remain upset with his parents for their behaviour throughout the unimaginable ordeal. Nichole and Gabby's father, Joseph Petito, have accused Brian's parents of helping him cover up the horrific murder before he vanished into the wilderness and took his own life. Brian's parents also reportedly refused to speak to law enforcement in the days following Gabby's disappearance as they frantically searched for their daughter. A recent Netflix documentary about the case entitled American Murder: Gabby Petito revealed how Roberta wrote her son an eerie note that instructed him to 'burn after reading', where she told him she would help him 'bury a body' because she loved him so deeply. While she claimed the letter was written before Gabby and Brian went on their road trip, the undated note left the Petito family 'sick to their stomachs'. The Petito and Laundrie families reached a $3 million settlement in a wrongful-death lawsuit in 2022. 'They said that there's something wrong with that mother, she's clearly not mentally well,' Nichole added. 'And I'm like, 'just add it to the list', because I didn't even know about that. That was crazy to hear. 'It drives me absolutely insane – that's the one thing I can't let go of, because I'm trying to figure out what can I do to make them pay for what they did, but there is really nothing I can do.' Nichole also revealed that the last time she spoke with Brian's parents was when they travelled to New York to pick up Gabby's things to take to Florida. 'I think we texted a couple times, we were Facebook friends,' she said on the podcast. 'I thought they were just quiet people and I'm okay with that. 'You don't have to be my best friend but I never actually spoke to them after that until I saw them when they did the depositions for our lawsuit.' Nichole went on to explain that if the situation was the other way around and Brian had been missing, she would have acted very differently. 'Everybody feels the same. I don't understand. I can't comprehend anything,' she said. 'If it was the other way around, I would've called them immediately. 'I mean, I texted her asking if they'd heard from the kids. I said, 'Did you hear from the kids? I haven't heard from them', and I got nothing back.' Nichole added that she thinks about her daughter everyday and wants people to remember that she was 'a person'. 'I see her, her bright blue eyes and big smile and energy 'When I think about her, I think about the last hug that I gave her. 'I want people to remember that Gabby was a person. She is not just a story of a documentary character. 'It can happen to anyone. I want to inspire people to live fearlessly. 'She wouldn't want anyone to live in fear because of what happened to her. 'You have to go for it, live the dream.'
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
20 Things We Learned From The "American Murder: Gabby Petito" Netflix Documentary
Warning: This post discusses murder and domestic violence. Netflix's American Murder: Gabby Petito details the murder case of Gabby Petito and her relationship with her fiancé, Brian Laundrie. The docuseries covers the details leading up to Gabby's disappearance, Brian's involvement in her murder, and everything in between. Here are 20 things I learned: Note: Brian has never been officially charged with Gabby's disappearance and/or murder. between Gabby and Brian didn't start during their cross-country trip. People in Gabby's life were interviewed and shed light on some of the problems that were there prior to that. The docuseries reiterates just how concerning Laundrie's behavior was from the start. After relocating to Florida, Gabby wanted her new BFF Rose to meet Brian, but when she did, Rose says he sat away from her and Gabby, and simply watched. She says, 'It felt like a parent watching us on a playdate. It was very weird.' Rose also recalls telling her mom, 'He's a really nice guy, but there is something off about him.' She explains how manipulative she felt he was with Gabby, and how he would always find a way to smooth it over with 'amazing, sweet things.' As a result, Gabby often told friends, including Rose, that she didn't deserve a guy like Brian. Brian went along with it, he seemingly never wanted to do the Van Life vlog with Gabby. It may not have been clear to people prior to the road trip, but raw footage of their expedition suggested that Brian was uninterested in any part of the project. He rarely spoke in the couple's videos, if ever, and usually appeared away from the action. In hindsight, mutual friends of the couple say that they think Brian didn't want to do the vlog because he didn't want it to document what was actually happening between him and Gabby. texted back and forth with himself, using Gabby's phone, three days after her death. He also reached out to Gabby's mom, pretending to be Gabby, telling her everything was okay. Based on Brian's actions, the FBI quickly deduced that he was trying to put an alibi together for his whereabouts. He left their camp in Spread Creek and hiked up to Colter Bay Village. During that time, Brian was sending text messages to Gabby's phone. It wasn't until Brian hitched several rides back to Spread Creek that 'Gabby' began to respond to his messages and contact her mother. Van Life videos were filled with smiles days before her murder. was abusing Gabby. After 41 days on the road, Gabby took a photo of herself after having an encounter with Brian. Her face was scratched, and her eye was freshly bruised. and Brian were pulled over in Moab, UT after a concerned citizen called 9-1-1 to report a man hitting a young woman. The Moab Police Department responded and seemingly viewed Brian as the victim and Gabby as the aggressor. As a result, MPD offered Brian a night at a nearby domestic abuse victim hotel. Meanwhile, they told Gabby to find somewhere to park her van and sleep for the night. told her mom she wanted to buy the van from Brian so she could make more money traveling solo. It's important to note that while Gabby sought to buy the van from Brain, the van was always in her name. It's unclear if she knew that or not. never told her family about the fight between her and Brian in Moab, UT. reached out to her ex-boyfriend, Jackson, twice within a five-day period right before her disappearance. Her ex, Jackson, missed her last call. last sighting was at Whole Foods in Jackson, WY, on August 27, 2021, after she and Brian were seen arguing at The Merry Piglets Mexican Grill just nine minutes up the road. Gabby was last seen leaving Whole Foods at approximately 2:11 p.m. Authorities confirmed they were able to track her movements until 8:30 p.m., when her digital fingerprints went cold. Petito's family reported Gabby missing after not hearing from her for several days. Initially, no one knew what happened to Laundrie once Petito was declared missing. She was missing for 21 days before her body was found in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Authorities said she was found in an unnatural position after what appeared to be a fire set around her. Ultimately, the coroner ruled Gabby's death a homicide caused by blunt force trauma and strangulation. contacted his parents multiple times on August 29, 2021. Authorities now assume that the call was to tell them something had happened to Gabby and that he needed a lawyer. parents allegedly wired $25,000 to a lawyer after their son asked for help. family relentlessly reached out to the Laundries — Brian's mother, father, and sister — they received no response. believe that Brian's parents may have been involved in helping cover-up Gabby's disappearance. They continue to deny any wrongdoing and have never been formally charged. mom wrote him a letter titled 'Burn After Reading.' It was found when police went through his belongings after he was reported missing. North Port PD went to speak with Brian's family 12 days after Gabby went missing. The Laundries refused to speak to them and the NPD was surprised to learn Brian had (quietly) returned home. When the North Port PD approached the Laundries for questioning, the family told the police they didn't want to make any comments. In the process, they found out Brian was home but equally refused to speak to the police. Brian's sister, Cassie, confirmed that Brian had returned home but would not say anything else. Multiple jurisdictions were involved in the investigation, so police were at odds about what to do as they tried to speak to the Laundrie family in Florida. Ultimately, a tow truck took the infamous white van away because the van was in Gabby's name; and, therefore, legally belonged to her. At this time, Brian already retained a lawyer. Brian Laundrie being back in Florida, police never got a chance to speak to him before his parents reported him missing on September 17, 2021. He was considered a missing person for 37 days. After discovering a car that was registered to the Laundries', authorities shut down the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park to do an extensive search. Brian's parents went to the park to search for Brian as soon as it was deemed safe enough by park officials, and in October of 2021, remains, along with a backpack and a notebook, were found. On October 21, 2021, it was confirmed that the remains found were Brian Laundrie via dental records. It was difficult not only to search through the Carlton Reserve but to find anything remaining due to the conditions of the area they were searching. According to the North Port Police Department at the time, 'The Carlton Reserve is a vast and unforgiving location at times. It was (waist) deep in water in many areas,' North Port police said in a Facebook post. 'This is dangerous work for the search crews as they are wading through gator and snake-infested swamps and flooded hiking and biking trails.' date, Christopher and Roberta Laundrie have not been charged. They deny any wrongdoing. wrote letters to his family telling them he loved them, then told them 'goodbye.' In one letter, he writes, 'I have killed myself by this creek in hopes that the animals will tear me apart. That it may make some of her family happy…This was an unexpected tragedy.' He continued, 'I found her breathing barely, gasping…She was freezing cold. The temp had dropped. When I pulled Gabby out of the water, she couldn't tell me what hurt. While carrying her, she continually made sounds of pain. Laying next to her, she said between violents shakes, gasping in pain, begging for an end to her pain. I ended her life. I thought it was merciful. But from the moment I decided to take her pain away, I knew I couldn't go on without her…I'm sorry to her family, because I love them. I'd consider her younger siblings my best of friends…I rushed home to spend any time I had left with my family. I wanted to let James or TJ kill me. I am ending my life because I cannot stand to live another day without her.' He then asked the family, 'Please do not make life harder for my family, they lost a son and a daughter." Brian's story of events doesn't necessarily match up to the evidence found in Gabby's autopsy report, which included strangulation. Gabby and Brian spent approximately two months on the road before her death, Gabby only uploaded and published one video after starting her Van Life YouTube vlog. Share your thoughts on the docuseries below. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger as a result of domestic violence, call 911. For anonymous, confidential help, you can call the 24/7 National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or chat with an advocate via the website.
Buzz Feed
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
20 Things We Learned From The "American Murder: Gabby Petito" Netflix Documentary
Warning: This post discusses murder and domestic violence. Netflix's American Murder: Gabby Petito details the murder case of Gabby Petito and her relationship with her fiancé, Brian Laundrie. The docuseries covers the details leading up to Gabby's disappearance, Brian's involvement in her murder, and everything in between. Here are 20 things I learned: 1. Things between Gabby and Brian didn't start during their cross-country trip. People in Gabby's life were interviewed and shed light on some of the problems that were there prior to that. The docuseries reiterates just how concerning Laundrie's behavior was from the start. After relocating to Florida, Gabby wanted her new BFF Rose to meet Brian, but when she did, Rose says he sat away from her and Gabby, and simply watched. She says, 'It felt like a parent watching us on a playdate. It was very weird.' Rose also recalls telling her mom, 'He's a really nice guy, but there is something off about him.' She explains how manipulative she felt he was with Gabby, and how he would always find a way to smooth it over with 'amazing, sweet things.' As a result, Gabby often told friends, including Rose, that she didn't deserve a guy like Brian. 2. While Brian went along with it, he seemingly never wanted to do the Van Life vlog with Gabby. It may not have been clear to people prior to the road trip, but raw footage of their expedition suggested that Brian was uninterested in any part of the project. He rarely spoke in the couple's videos, if ever, and usually appeared away from the action. In hindsight, mutual friends of the couple say that they think Brian didn't want to do the vlog because he didn't want it to document what was actually happening between him and Gabby. 3. Brian texted back and forth with himself, using Gabby's phone, three days after her death. He also reached out to Gabby's mom, pretending to be Gabby, telling her everything was okay. Based on Brian's actions, the FBI quickly deduced that he was trying to put an alibi together for his whereabouts. He left their camp in Spread Creek and hiked up to Colter Bay Village. During that time, Brian was sending text messages to Gabby's phone. It wasn't until Brian hitched several rides back to Spread Creek that 'Gabby' began to respond to his messages and contact her mother. 4. Gabby's Van Life videos were filled with smiles days before her murder. 5. Brian was abusing Gabby. After 41 days on the road, Gabby took a photo of herself after having an encounter with Brian. Her face was scratched, and her eye was freshly bruised. 6. Gabby and Brian were pulled over in Moab, UT after a concerned citizen called 9-1-1 to report a man hitting a young woman. The Moab Police Department responded and seemingly viewed Brian as the victim and Gabby as the aggressor. As a result, MPD offered Brian a night at a nearby domestic abuse victim hotel. Meanwhile, they told Gabby to find somewhere to park her van and sleep for the night. 7. Gabby told her mom she wanted to buy the van from Brian so she could make more money traveling solo. It's important to note that while Gabby sought to buy the van from Brain, the van was always in her name. It's unclear if she knew that or not. 8. Gabby never told her family about the fight between her and Brian in Moab, UT. 9. Gabby reached out to her ex-boyfriend, Jackson, twice within a five-day period right before her disappearance. Her ex, Jackson, missed her last call. 10. Gabby's last sighting was at Whole Foods in Jackson, WY, on August 27, 2021, after she and Brian were seen arguing at The Merry Piglets Mexican Grill just nine minutes up the road. Gabby was last seen leaving Whole Foods at approximately 2:11 p.m. Authorities confirmed they were able to track her movements until 8:30 p.m., when her digital fingerprints went cold. Petito's family reported Gabby missing after not hearing from her for several days. Initially, no one knew what happened to Laundrie once Petito was declared missing. She was missing for 21 days before her body was found in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Authorities said she was found in an unnatural position after what appeared to be a fire set around her. Ultimately, the coroner ruled Gabby's death a homicide caused by blunt force trauma and strangulation. 11. Brian contacted his parents multiple times on August 29, 2021. Authorities now assume that the call was to tell them something had happened to Gabby and that he needed a lawyer. 12. Brian's parents allegedly wired $25,000 to a lawyer after their son asked for help. 13. Gabby's family relentlessly reached out to the Laundries — Brian's mother, father, and sister — they received no response. 14. Prosecutors believe that Brian's parents may have been involved in helping cover-up Gabby's disappearance. They continue to deny any wrongdoing and have never been formally charged. 15. Brian's mom wrote him a letter titled 'Burn After Reading.' It was found when police went through his belongings after he was reported missing. View this video on YouTube 16. The North Port PD went to speak with Brian's family 12 days after Gabby went missing. The Laundries refused to speak to them and the NPD was surprised to learn Brian had (quietly) returned home. When the North Port PD approached the Laundries for questioning, the family told the police they didn't want to make any comments. In the process, they found out Brian was home but equally refused to speak to the police. Brian's sister, Cassie, confirmed that Brian had returned home but would not say anything else. Multiple jurisdictions were involved in the investigation, so police were at odds about what to do as they tried to speak to the Laundrie family in Florida. Ultimately, a tow truck took the infamous white van away because the van was in Gabby's name; and, therefore, legally belonged to her. At this time, Brian already retained a lawyer. 17. Despite Brian Laundrie being back in Florida, police never got a chance to speak to him before his parents reported him missing on September 17, 2021. He was considered a missing person for 37 days. After discovering a car that was registered to the Laundries', authorities shut down the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park to do an extensive search. Brian's parents went to the park to search for Brian as soon as it was deemed safe enough by park officials, and in October of 2021, remains, along with a backpack and a notebook, were found. On October 21, 2021, it was confirmed that the remains found were Brian Laundrie via dental records. It was difficult not only to search through the Carlton Reserve but to find anything remaining due to the conditions of the area they were searching. According to the North Port Police Department at the time, 'The Carlton Reserve is a vast and unforgiving location at times. It was (waist) deep in water in many areas,' North Port police said in a Facebook post. 'This is dangerous work for the search crews as they are wading through gator and snake-infested swamps and flooded hiking and biking trails.' 18. To date, Christopher and Roberta Laundrie have not been charged. They deny any wrongdoing. 19. Brian wrote letters to his family telling them he loved them, then told them 'goodbye.' In one letter, he writes, 'I have killed myself by this creek in hopes that the animals will tear me apart. That it may make some of her family happy…This was an unexpected tragedy.' He continued, 'I found her breathing barely, gasping…She was freezing cold. The temp had dropped. When I pulled Gabby out of the water, she couldn't tell me what hurt. While carrying her, she continually made sounds of pain. Laying next to her, she said between violents shakes, gasping in pain, begging for an end to her pain. I ended her life. I thought it was merciful. But from the moment I decided to take her pain away, I knew I couldn't go on without her…I'm sorry to her family, because I love them. I'd consider her younger siblings my best of friends…I rushed home to spend any time I had left with my family. I wanted to let James or TJ kill me. I am ending my life because I cannot stand to live another day without her.' He then asked the family, 'Please do not make life harder for my family, they lost a son and a daughter." Brian's story of events doesn't necessarily match up to the evidence found in Gabby's autopsy report, which included strangulation. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger as a result of domestic violence, call 911. For anonymous, confidential help, you can call the 24/7 National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or chat with an advocate via the website.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Yahoo
Readers sound off on gender-based violence, off-duty dancing and NIMBYism
Seattle: Gender neutrality benefits women in many areas: the office, home and under the law. However, as Netflix's 'American Murder: Gabby Petito' underscores, when domestic violence is suspected, it can cost a woman her life. During a now-publicized traffic stop in Moab, Utah, officers rushed to judgment, naming Petito's boyfriend and travel companion, Brian Laundrie, the aggressor. They separated the couple, sending Laundrie to a hotel for domestic violence victims while leaving Petito to sleep in her van. Domestic violence is not an equal-opportunity crime. Men can be victims, but men are far more often the aggressors. In 2023, the National Library of Medicine reported that 500,000 women versus 100,000 men experienced physical assault or rape by an intimate partner. It goes against my grain to call women the weaker sex. It's not how I was raised or raised my children. But gender differences, particularly physical strength, automatically place women in a subordinate position. Then there's the verbal gymnastics that put women on the defensive — like Petito, who felt compelled to explain her OCD and how she angered Laundrie by editing her videos. Women are conditioned to suppress their needs; men to expect it. Feminism challenges these notions, and rightly so. The officers likely thought they were avoiding gender bias. But domestic violence against women isn't a stereotype — it's a reality. Their neutrality was misplaced, and another young woman died because of it. The Gabby Petito Act, a 2024 Florida law requiring police to conduct a 12-question assessment in domestic violence incidents, is a start. But until society acknowledges women's disproportionate vulnerability, there will be more Gabbys, unheard — or worse, left for dead. Elise Buie Hempstead, L.I.: To Voicer Thomas Facchiano: Ya got that right. 'Conclave' was the best movie in years — great acting, should have been nominated for cinematography, great twist ending and tour de force performances. Loved it! Leslie Feldman Brooklyn: So, Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil has been arrested for exercising his right to free speech. That's the real reason he was grabbed out of his apartment. His green card was probably completely in order. This administration just doesn't want 'troublemakers' speaking up. What's next, are we going to arrest anyone who supports the IRA? Bob Gomez Manhattan: If Brad Lander, as he claims, doesn't know anyone who spends the amount of money Andrew Cuomo pays in his monthly Manhattan housing rent, then Lander doesn't know many NYC residents. Mayors need to know the full populace and work together to get things done. I know more than enough high-income renters who pay more than Cuomo. Either Lander is lying, or if he is telling the truth, he does not deserve to be mayor of New York City. Joey Dluzak West Columbia, S.C.: Why are politicians arguing about how to cut Medicare and Social Security instead of how to increase taxes on the richest 1%? Who wanted an Elon Musk to bring an army of reckless amateurs to gut government departments and kick out employees? Will they ever deliver a real accounting of how much money was saved and how much they charged? What is Russia receiving in exchange for America's abandonment of Ukraine? Why have male politicians become obsessed with controlling women's health choices? Will Canadian patience hold out until our president loses his urge to take over their country? Will Republicans ever get their mojo back and take a stand for democracy again? Can the Democrats find a workaround to halt the damage being done? Are there any answers out there, or just questions? Carol Robinson Bronx: With President Trump's attack on USAID and Medicaid plus his tariffs, I can hear the painful cries of veterans, of people with disabilities, people of color, the poor, red state voters and women. How many of these victims voted for the demented man in the Oval Office? Why are so many Trump voters dismayed by the executive orders that have negatively affected them? New Yorkers have received the most wrath from Trump, and you can do something about it. Vote out all Republican House members, they have betrayed their states. We can cut the legs off of this lame duck president by a landslide vote in 2026, taking back both houses of Congress. Gilbert M. Lane Manhattan: To Voicer Glenn Hayes: Your letter was excellent in encouraging readers and fellow Americans to take heed in protecting their economy in their own houses and being wise with personal spending. Unfortunately, most Americans aren't going to take heed, as we live in a society where most are programmed to consume. If you continue to live above your means, to spend crazy and be bamboozled by the government, it's not a Trump/Musk problem, it's a man/woman in the mirror problem. Omar Branch Richmond Hill: To Voicer Nat Saraceni: You believe that JD Vance never wore blue jeans. Yes he did, and they probably were some hand-me-downs with a lot of wear and tear on them. Do you not know anything about the way he grew up? Read his book 'Hillbilly Elegy' or watch the film before you open your misinformed mouth! Maybe Trump never wore blue jeans, but growing up poor in Appalachia, raised by his elderly grandmother and with an alcoholic, substance-abusing mother, Vance certainly did. He joined the Marine Corps, served in Afghanistan and worked his way through Ohio State University and Yale Law School. Your hatred blinds you to the truth. Joseph Napoleone Melville, L.I.: He disparaged the military service of American hero John McCain on camera. According to many witnesses, he referred to servicemen and women as 'suckers' and 'losers.' Now the man who faked bone spurs to get out of military service is having his administration ban patriotic Americans from serving in the military. Is there nothing he can do that will make you see the truth about this man? Dennis Joyce Tarrytown, N.Y.: Captain Bone Spurs is betraying our allies and everything that our great country has stood for in the last century. In the blink of an eye, we have shown the world that America can no longer be respected or trusted in their time of need. I just observed a quote from the draft-dodger stating that if America would ever require help, our NATO partners would decline. When we launched Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001, every single one of our NATO partners assisted, and most countries had soldiers killed, including 160 from our neighbor to the north. These brave Canadian soldiers stood side-by-side in protecting America's interests. Their memory is disrespected by someone who clearly failed history. But we'll never know, as you can be severely sued for obtaining those school records. Stephen Talenti Yonkers: I generally enjoy Voicer James McCaffrey's frequent contributions to the Voice of the People page, though they may be a tad hyperbolic and verbose at times. I just wish his contributions were around when I was trying to enhance my vocabulary for the Graduate Record Examination a few decades ago. Frank Brady Lake Ronkonkoma, L.I.: Re 'Cop's jiggle-joint-vid fan' (March 9): Why should Det. Melissa Mercado be disciplined? And why has she been removed from active investigations? Her record clearly shows she's an excellent police officer and a credit to the NYPD. Has an investigation ever taken place for policemen who regularly attend men's clubs? The article states the video went viral within the NYPD. Was it watched during working hours? Are the officers who watched it being disciplined? I am so sick and tired of having centuries of men's double-standard determinations of how women should act shoved down my throat. Joanne Lee Manhattan: What hypocrisy! Normal Siegel wants to end homelessness ('New York City can really end street homelessness,' op-ed, March 9) although he has been legal counsel to supporters of the Elizabeth Street Garden who are opposing affordable and low-income housing on that street. It seems that he advocates for housing unless it affects his friends and clients. Unfortunately, he isn't the only person who supports housing in the abstract but not when it can actually be built — the exact definition of NIMBYism. Alec Pruchnicki
