Gabby Petito’s family was right. Brian Laundrie isn’t missing. And now a Fugitive from Justice. The US Marshals averages 310 fugitives arrested per day. See the USMS 2021 Fact Sheet
There has been a lot of coverage and commentary on Gabby and there’s so much to glean from this. When the couple was stopped after a 911 call, they concluded that she was unstable or that she was the abuser because of her behavior. With training, they would recognize signs that she was afraid and she was protecting him. If they could have just separated them and talked to her privately or brought in someone who understands domestic abuse. The 911 call reported a man hitting and slapping a woman. So initially, the first reports were painted as an unstable woman having a breakdown. This speaks volumes about how we treat women in crisis. Nothing is as it appears.
The timeline of Gabby’s last texts with her mother and Brian returning to Florida without her, is ridiculous. If my kid came home w/o his girlfriend in her car or in the midst of a trip, we are asking questions. John Walsh laid out his criticism of the whole timeline & covered this on his America’s Most Wanted this week. His version is very angering.
The last thing I found totally disturbing was the incessant tweeting about all of the women of color and the indigenous women that go missing every day.it is horrifying that these women are not given the same media attention. But can we say that it’s ok to mourn or become enraged over Gabby’s murder without disparaging the utter horror by turning it into a a wedge issue. We are all mature enough to be cognizant of the disparity in media attention while giving this story attention. Gabby had a high profile social media presence which amplified her story. We could use her story one day to learn the warning signs of domestic violence and save future women. Violence against women is still pervasive in our culture. I interviewed a victim for an article I wrote and what was compelling, was her own admission about fear of leaving. The officers who showed up the last time of a near death encounter, told her if she did not take her son and leave, she’d be dead. She left w/shirt on her back but it was fear that held her. Fear, shame and paralyzing anxiety of taking the first step. She helps other victims now. Gabby was frightened and scared and instead of questioning why she was so distraught, she was written off as unstable or having a breakdown. There may have been small opportunity to save her. As for all of these women of color who go unrecognized in our media, maybe Gabby’s story opens a broader discussion about domestic violence. Maybe there’s a way to figure out how to highlight all of these stories. God knows we need to cut through the noise and fight for women more than ever before.
I think one major take away is a person’s online activity doesn’t always ring true. On the domestic violence aspect I completely agree with your points
To clarify, I am 100% in agreement that the media does not cover women of color as they do for Gavbt. Yet in the midst of the reporting, certain tweets about this were pretty insensitive. These stories are triggers for many women. We can do two things at the same time…not either or…so when people tweet cynical comments, it doesn’t come across as sensitivity toward the issue. It comes across as insensitive or divisive. To highlight violence against women, then these people shouldn’t use Gabby’s story to push their agenda.
Hon I didn’t take it that way at all - I do think because Gabby was a beautiful blonde hair blue eyed young woman —the media really did a solid job reporting and harnessing the power of crowd sourcing likely helped the FBI locate her remains. Sadly though I do think if she was black, brown or Native American I am not at all convinced it would have received the National News coverage —which is profoundly brutal but I think factual —in short I understood the subtext of your original comment 😘
I think it was hard to articulate what I’ve been thinking. I wish we had a way to highlight the trials of all women suffering from similar situations. I wish there was a platform that could raise awareness for women missing and especially those of color. I was annoyed with the idea of using Gabby’s tragedy in a self serving way. I would love to see those voices or platforms highlight disenfranchised victims as the norm and not as the opportunity....and when I say it, it still isn’t clear! Lol... I think I am offended by people who are not sincere.
It’s okay and you do not need to apologize. Your voice matters too. I genuinely hope you didn’t think I was being critical of law enforcement —they really have gone above and beyond. I get it that most want to apportion blame on someone or entity. By all appearances the ire should be directed at the Laundrie family, specifically Brian and his parents. Whereas law enforcement (both State and Federal) have worked at lightening speed. Especially once Law Enforcement became aware of Ms Petito’s disappearance -the timeline from Sept 11th through present and the unfortunate discovery of Ms Petito’s remains. I don’t think that could have occurred without the crowdsourcing. Granted the outcome that most wanted -that is finding her alive —sadly that didn’t happen. The only sliver of grace is Ms Petito’s family wasn’t subjected to a protracted period of “unknown” -but I can’t imagine their pain and grief. Again it’s okay to rant and there’s nothing to apologize for. Because those are your feelings…
Thank you for this important update. Some coverage has left the impression that he was abusive, given the officer's recording of their police encounter... Cannot believe that the parents have been so unforthcoming. NGL, I think he may have killed himself
There has been a lot of coverage and commentary on Gabby and there’s so much to glean from this. When the couple was stopped after a 911 call, they concluded that she was unstable or that she was the abuser because of her behavior. With training, they would recognize signs that she was afraid and she was protecting him. If they could have just separated them and talked to her privately or brought in someone who understands domestic abuse. The 911 call reported a man hitting and slapping a woman. So initially, the first reports were painted as an unstable woman having a breakdown. This speaks volumes about how we treat women in crisis. Nothing is as it appears.
The timeline of Gabby’s last texts with her mother and Brian returning to Florida without her, is ridiculous. If my kid came home w/o his girlfriend in her car or in the midst of a trip, we are asking questions. John Walsh laid out his criticism of the whole timeline & covered this on his America’s Most Wanted this week. His version is very angering.
The last thing I found totally disturbing was the incessant tweeting about all of the women of color and the indigenous women that go missing every day.it is horrifying that these women are not given the same media attention. But can we say that it’s ok to mourn or become enraged over Gabby’s murder without disparaging the utter horror by turning it into a a wedge issue. We are all mature enough to be cognizant of the disparity in media attention while giving this story attention. Gabby had a high profile social media presence which amplified her story. We could use her story one day to learn the warning signs of domestic violence and save future women. Violence against women is still pervasive in our culture. I interviewed a victim for an article I wrote and what was compelling, was her own admission about fear of leaving. The officers who showed up the last time of a near death encounter, told her if she did not take her son and leave, she’d be dead. She left w/shirt on her back but it was fear that held her. Fear, shame and paralyzing anxiety of taking the first step. She helps other victims now. Gabby was frightened and scared and instead of questioning why she was so distraught, she was written off as unstable or having a breakdown. There may have been small opportunity to save her. As for all of these women of color who go unrecognized in our media, maybe Gabby’s story opens a broader discussion about domestic violence. Maybe there’s a way to figure out how to highlight all of these stories. God knows we need to cut through the noise and fight for women more than ever before.
I think one major take away is a person’s online activity doesn’t always ring true. On the domestic violence aspect I completely agree with your points
To clarify, I am 100% in agreement that the media does not cover women of color as they do for Gavbt. Yet in the midst of the reporting, certain tweets about this were pretty insensitive. These stories are triggers for many women. We can do two things at the same time…not either or…so when people tweet cynical comments, it doesn’t come across as sensitivity toward the issue. It comes across as insensitive or divisive. To highlight violence against women, then these people shouldn’t use Gabby’s story to push their agenda.
Hon I didn’t take it that way at all - I do think because Gabby was a beautiful blonde hair blue eyed young woman —the media really did a solid job reporting and harnessing the power of crowd sourcing likely helped the FBI locate her remains. Sadly though I do think if she was black, brown or Native American I am not at all convinced it would have received the National News coverage —which is profoundly brutal but I think factual —in short I understood the subtext of your original comment 😘
I think it was hard to articulate what I’ve been thinking. I wish we had a way to highlight the trials of all women suffering from similar situations. I wish there was a platform that could raise awareness for women missing and especially those of color. I was annoyed with the idea of using Gabby’s tragedy in a self serving way. I would love to see those voices or platforms highlight disenfranchised victims as the norm and not as the opportunity....and when I say it, it still isn’t clear! Lol... I think I am offended by people who are not sincere.
I'm sorry, but this whole thing makes me furious. First, please don't blame the police officers. There's only so much they can do.
I can't rant here... so I did it here instead... Filey, I hope you don't mind. lmk if this is wrong...https://candis.substack.com/p/gabby-petitt-3-brian-laundrie-is
It’s okay and you do not need to apologize. Your voice matters too. I genuinely hope you didn’t think I was being critical of law enforcement —they really have gone above and beyond. I get it that most want to apportion blame on someone or entity. By all appearances the ire should be directed at the Laundrie family, specifically Brian and his parents. Whereas law enforcement (both State and Federal) have worked at lightening speed. Especially once Law Enforcement became aware of Ms Petito’s disappearance -the timeline from Sept 11th through present and the unfortunate discovery of Ms Petito’s remains. I don’t think that could have occurred without the crowdsourcing. Granted the outcome that most wanted -that is finding her alive —sadly that didn’t happen. The only sliver of grace is Ms Petito’s family wasn’t subjected to a protracted period of “unknown” -but I can’t imagine their pain and grief. Again it’s okay to rant and there’s nothing to apologize for. Because those are your feelings…
I think this POS is hiding on the Appalachian Trail. In the past he’s spent 3 months off the grid there.
Thank you for this important update. Some coverage has left the impression that he was abusive, given the officer's recording of their police encounter... Cannot believe that the parents have been so unforthcoming. NGL, I think he may have killed himself