21-02-2025
Netflix series ‘American Murder: Gabby Petito', What are the 11 questions in domestic violence investigations
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP/AP) – The Netflix docuseries debuted this week about the story of Gabby Petito who was killed by her boyfriend while they were traveling cross country.
In 2021, 22-year-old Petito was traveling the country in a converted camper van with her fiance, 23-year-old Brian Laundrie, and posting about it on social media. She was reported missing by her parents on Sept. 11, 2021, after not hearing from her since August.
'I knew something bad happened,' said Nichole Schmidt, Gabby's mother, in the trailer for the documentary 'American Murder: Gabby Petito.'
Family, friends of Gabby Petito share details surrounding her death in upcoming Netflix documentary
Laundrie returned to Florida alone and the search for Petito drew worldwide attention. Bodycam footage of the two of them was released to the public by police in Moab, Utah. It showed police pulling over the van that Petito and Laundrie were in after reports of an altercation on Aug. 12, 2021.
Police determined that Petito was the aggressor, and officers had them spend the night apart. During the search for Petito, Laundrie was named a person of interest. He disappeared two days before Petito's body was found on Sept. 19, 2021, just outside Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Authorities determined that she had been strangled.
Laundrie's remains were found a month later in a wildlife reserve near his parents' house in Florida. He died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after writing in a notebook that he killed Petito.
An independent investigation found that Moab police made ' several unintentional mistakes ' when they encountered the couple. In their report, investigators said Petito very likely 'was a long-term victim of domestic violence, whether that be physically, mentally, and/or emotionally.'
'American Murder: Gabby Petito', a three-part Netflix documentary premiered on Feb. 17th. Episodes tell the story of Petito and Laundrie, how they met, footage of Petito's vlog, the missing person investigation, and how they reacted to their relationship.
Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-788-SAFE
Co-sponsor of Gabby Petito-inspired bill: 'Good policy is going to make a difference'
In the Netflix series, Joseph Petito and Nichole Schmidt were shown advocating for law enforcement to ask 11 questions in domestic violence investigations citing, in Gabby's case, 'if it had been used, I believe she would still be here today,' said Schmidt.
A domestic violence bill was filed in the state of Florida in 2023 called the 'Gabby Petito Act', to mandate a set of questions for law enforcement officers to ask potential victims of domestic abuse when responding to calls. This standardized approach seeks to ensure that victims receive consistent support and are made aware of the dangers they may be facing.
According to our sister station, WFLA, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1224, the bill inspired by and pushed for by the family of Gabby Petito. It requires law enforcement to be trained on how to assess if a domestic violence victim is at a higher risk of death or serious injury by asking a series of 12 questions.
Did the aggressor ever use a weapon against you or threaten you with a weapon?
Did the aggressor ever threaten to kill you or your children?
Do you believe the aggressor will try to kill you?
Has the aggressor ever choked you or attempted to choke you?
Does the aggressor have a gun or could the aggressor easily obtain a gun?
Is the aggressor violently or constantly jealous, or does the aggressor control most of your daily activities?
Did you leave or separate from the aggressor after you were living together or married?
Is the aggressor unemployed?
To the best of your knowledge, has the aggressor ever attempted suicide?
Do you have a child whom the aggressor believes is not the aggressor's biological child?
Has the aggressor ever followed, spied on, or left threatening messages for you?
Is there anything else that worries you about your safety and, if so, what worries you?
If the victim answers yes to any of the first four questions, or if they answer no to the first four questions but yes to at least four of questions five through 11, law enforcement officers will have to direct the victim to the nearest certified domestic violence shelter.
Instead of focusing on the past, Petito's parents are focused on helping others through the Gabby Petito Foundation.
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