When is Trouble Brewing?

*22 year-old Gabby Petito’s body found after her disappearance while on a road trip with her finance’*

By now I’m sure you’ve heard of Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie. For those unfamiliar with Gabby and Brian’s story – the couple have taken social media and national media by storm after Gabby went missing while she was on a cross-country road trip with her boyfriend Brian.

Here’s what we kneaux…

The couple embarked on a cross-country road trip in their newly purchased Ford Transit van traveling from New York to Wyoming and everywhere in between, all the while documenting their journey via Instagram. A quick glance of their Instagram accounts greets you with majestic views of the captivating canyons.

By all accounts, one would assume they were in a happy, healthy relationship. However, things took a drastic turn when Brian returned to his Florida home without Gabby and days later Gabby’s body was discovered in Wyoming.

Many of us are now consumed in the whirlwind of mystery and media as details surrounding Gabby and Brian continue to emerge. This includes: a TikTok video series, a 911 call, police officer bodycam footage, witness testimonies, and a realm of other details. Our natural assumption is that Brian caused harm to Gabby.

What are the key takeaways…

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Domestic violence is a topic that is rarely discussed amongst and about our younger population. We have to find opportunities to better educate and engage our younger demographic.

o Externally, domestic violence is challenging to identify because someone may appear to be happy but little is known about what happens behind closed doors

o It’s important to remember that domestic violence is a part of the power and control cycle. What we know about power and control is that often times instances of tension and violence are followed by “the honeymoon” which may include gaslighting, guilt, empty promises, blaming, etc.

SOCIAL MEDIA

o First and foremost, let’s give credit and kudos to our Social Media Activists and social media warriors who helped push this case into the national spotlight, as well as, assisted in the discovery of Gabby’s body. My hope is that they will continue to assist Gabby’s family in getting the justice and the eventual peace they deserve.

o Conversely, we continue to talk about social media simply being a highlight reel of one’s life. This may be why this case is so compelling. We would have never imagined Gabby and Brian’s story would have this tragic ending by simply looking at their Instagram accounts.

BYSTANDARD INTERVENTION

o It’s easy to forget that someone took an active step to call 911 to share what they had just witnessed. They provided a description of Brian and Gabby and shared Brian’s exact actions.

POLICE INTERACTION

o There’s so much to say and so little time

o Were the officers fully aware of the details that the bystanders shared with dispatchers? For example, “we drove by and the gentleman was slapping the girl” or he proceeded to hit her, hopped in the car, and they drove off.”

o The primary officer continued comparing Gabby to his wife and discussing her mental health… what?!

What can we do…

I challenge everyone reading this to not only check-in on your friends but find ways to support them when times are tough whether that’s being a listening ear, referring them to on/off-campus resources, etc.

Intervene! If you see something that doesn’t look right or feel right take an active step: say or do something.

Discussion points…

~ What are your thoughts about Brian’s interaction with police?

~ If you were the police or the bystander would you have done anything differently?

~ How can we best educate our college-age population about domestic violence?

~ When discussing these situations is it important to include, compare, or discuss statistics (for example, racial/ethnic inequities when discussing domestic violence)?