Gabby Petito story boosted by social media, true-crime craze
Associated PressMIAMI — The disappearance and death of Gabby Petito and the police hunt for her boyfriend have generated a whirlwind online, with a multitude of armchair detectives and others sharing tips, possible sightings and theories by way of TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. “A lot of it has to do with the cross-country journey they were documenting, going on social media on this grand adventure,” said Joseph Scott Morgan, a Jacksonville State University professor of forensics and an authority on high-profile murder cases. They posted an image of it with a big red arrow pointing to it and the words, “We found Gabby Petito’s van.” They said that was what led investigators to the area where the body was found. Michael Alcazar, a retired New York City detective and professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, said that Petito’s Instagram account gave investigators places to start and that social media became a rich source of tips. “It just seemed like an odd case from the beginning and after doing more research and with other people on social media, the case just kept growing and having twists and turns,” she said.
History of this topic
Luigi Mangione and the dark truth behind our reaction to his arrest
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What happened to Gabby Petito? Everything we know about murder by Brian Laundrie
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Gabby Petito’s family files lawsuit claiming Brian Laundrie’s parents knew he killed vlogger
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Gabby Petito's parents sue Laundrie's parents over killing
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Brian Laundrie admits killing Gabby Petito in ‘suicide note’ found near his remains
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Gabby Petito’s parents strike deal with Laundries to have her belongings returned
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Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie: The sad, twisting saga and what it tells us about America
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Last candid picture of Petito and Laundrie emerges
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Gabby Petito story boosted by social media, true-crime craze
The Independent
Timeline of Gabby Petito case
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