Gabby Petito’s case reshaped missing persons awareness as Nancy Guthrie’s family now faces a similar and painful search for answers.
Gabby Petito during her 2021 cross-country van trip, months before her disappearance (Photo: X)
Nancy Guthrie vs Gabby Petito Case: Few criminal cases in recent memory have gripped the public quite like the disappearance and death of Gabby Petito where her story unfolded in real time across social media, cable news and police briefings, turning a young travel vlogger into the face of a national conversation about domestic violence and missing persons investigations. Today, as another family searches for answers in the case of Nancy Guthrie, echoes of 2021 are impossible to ignore and the questions, the uncertainty and the media spotlight feel hauntingly familiar.
Gabrielle Venora Petito is a 22 year old from Blue Point, New York, embarked on a four month van-cation across the nation in July 2021 with her fiance, Brian Laundrie. The couple documented their travels online, gradually building a small online fan base as they explored various national parks in the western United States.
On September 11, 2021, Petito went missing after weeks of no communication with her family and the initial concern for her well-being quickly turned into a nationwide search, fueled by the online trail she and her fiancé left behind.
On September 19, 2021, Petito's body was found in the Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming. The autopsy revealed that she had been killed by a homicide, which was caused by blunt force trauma to the head and neck and manual strangulation. Her fiance later died from suicide at a nature reserve in Florida with a note near the corpse revealed that Laundrie had confessed to killing Petito.
Petito went missing in late August 2021 as she was traveling with Laundrie around Grand Teton National Park. Instead of reporting her missing, Laundrie went back home alone to Florida, where his parents lived, in Petito’s van. Shortly after, he went missing too, without cooperating with police investigations and the events, coupled with police footage of a previous domestic disturbance, raised many questions. The investigation was transformed into one of the most publicized missing person investigations in a matter of weeks.
Petito and Laundrie met in high school and began dating in 2019 and they lived together in Florida before they began their road trip. Those who knew them said their relationship was complex rather than simple. In August 2021, a video recorded by a body camera showed police arriving to calm a situation between the two in Utah and there were no charges filed, but the situation came up again when the investigation into Petito’s last days was ongoing.
As Nancy Guthrie is 84 years old still has not been seen at her home in the Tucson area, Petito’s father offered support to the family in a public manner. He advised the family to trust their instincts, stay focused and always maintain hope. Nancy was last seen on January 31 in the Catalina Foothills area where authorities say the evidence points to the woman not leaving on her own. Ransom demands in the form of notes to the media have added another level of complexity to the case. To families dealing with uncertainty, the support from others who have been through a similar experience can be meaningful.
There are legal analysts who see parallels between the two cases and one of these parallels is the fact that, in these cases, the families turn to the public as the urgency of the situation speeds up with the attention of the media. While the attention of the media may bring important tips, it may also contribute to the emotional impact of the situation. There are, however, contrasts between the two cases, as Petito’s disappearance occurred when she was away with her partner unlike Guthrie, whose disappearance occurred in her own neighborhood. Despite the contrasts, one thing remains the same the pain where parents and families who are left with unanswered questions spend sleepless nights and are bombarded with speculations.
Although Laundrie did not stand trial because of his death, legal proceedings continued. In 2022, a $3 million wrongful death settlement was reached by Petito’s parents against Laundrie’s estate. A civil lawsuit, which was concluded in 2024, saw the two parties settle claims of emotional distress. Since then, the Petito family has become a leading voice in raising awareness about domestic violence, using their tragedy as a means of preventing it.
Her remains were identified in September 2021, and this has given her family some closure while this does not remove the effects. The case has changed the way people talk about intimate partner violence and it has also brought attention to the disparity in media attention given to missing people.
When did Nancy Guthrie go missing?
She was last seen at her home and investigators believe she may have disappeared in the early hours of February 1 after her doorbell camera went offline.
What evidence has been found so far?
Authorities recovered blood matching her DNA on the porch, surveillance footage of a masked individual and black gloves now undergoing testing.
Was Nancy Guthrie believed to have left voluntarily?
Investigators have indicated that evidence suggests she did not leave on her own.
How many tips have police received?
More than 4,000 public tips have been submitted since surveillance images were released.
Is the investigation still ongoing?
Yes, law enforcement continues to review forensic evidence, digital data and neighborhood security footage.
Why are Gabby Petito and Nancy Guthrie’s cases being compared?
Observers point to similarities in the sudden disappearances, intense media coverage and the emotional toll on their families during the investigations.
What makes the two cases different?
Gabby Petito vanished while traveling cross-country with her fiancé, while Nancy Guthrie reportedly disappeared from her home, suggesting different circumstances and investigative paths.
