Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie embarked on a cross-country van trip in 2021, documenting their journey on social media. The trip took a tragic turn when Petito disappeared, sparking a nationwide search. Petito's body was eventually found in Grand Teton National Park, and her death was ruled a homicide by strangulation. The documentary series, American Murder: Gabby Petito, explores the events leading up to her death, including the couple's troubled relationship and Laundrie's attempts to cover up the crime. Laundrie, who had returned home without Petito, later went missing himself and was found dead with a letter admitting to killing Petito. The documentary utilizes interviews with friends and family and text messages to piece together the details of this case and the aftermath of Petito's murder, including the wrongful death lawsuit against Laundrie's parents.