Over the past week, the US has been closely following the investigation of missing 22-year old Gabby Petito. Online sleuths, news organizations, social media personalities have all combined to find out the story behind the disappearance of Gabby Petito. The keyword “Gabby Petito” has reached over 23 billion users with 1,338, 772 mentions. Over the past month, people have been following this case as it has steadily gained traction from her disappearance to now. Hashtags like #gabbypetito, #findgabby, #bringgabbyhome have all circulated the internet. 
Gabby Petito and her boyfriend were on a cross-country road trip when she began a youtube channel to chronicle their travels. Prior to her disappearance, Gabby would communicate with her family frequently, if not every day, and post on her Instagram regularly. On August 25, she also posted a series of photos on her Instagram (which now some people believe were not posted by her at all). However, her family grew concerned when they weren’t able to contact Gabby after a few days and only received brief text messages. After her boyfriend returned home alone with her van on Sept. 1, she was then reported missing on Sept. 11, 2021, after her parents were unable to contact her.
With the rural terrain and limited human contact in the area of her disappearance, the FBI of Wyoming reached out on social media for any witnesses who may have seen Gabby, her boyfriend, or their van between August 27-30. While it isn’t unusual for law enforcement to ask the public for help, the case is unique in the fact that social media is at the heart of it.
This is the specific area of Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming where authorities have focused their search for Gabby Petito. @FBIDenver is seeking tips from people who visited the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area between August 27-30. #FindGabby https://t.co/SSTcntNE3j
— Justin Schecker (@WFLAJustin) September 19, 2021
Popular Tiktokkers, vloggers, and podcasters have brought attention to the case. Through social media and Gabbys vlogs, the FBI has begun to piece together a timeline of the couples’ movements. A potential witness Miranda Baker claimed in a TikTok post that she and her boyfriend gave Laundrie a ride in Grand Teton National Park on Aug. 29. Later, family travel vloggers, Kyle and Jenn Bethune came forward with a video that placed the couple’s van in the area on Aug. 27. Although it has not been confirmed by the FBI many people believe this video lead to investigators’ search in this area. Unfortunately, Gabby Petito’s body was found on Sept. 20 in a campground in Grand Teton National Park. Petito’s cause of death was ruled a homicide and this is still an ongoing investigation.
Gabby Petito’s case has not only highlighted the power of social media and its potential to affect criminal investigations but the differences between who is afforded that power. Many people have discussed how this case has is demonstrated how people of color and indigenious people are historically neglected as victims in investigations and receive less attention in the media. After completing a search of Daniel Robinson, a missing geologist in Buckeye, Arizona who was last seen June 23, 2021, we found that since his disappearance in June his name has received 274,389 mentions. And the most mentions were recorded in September, specifically September 20 when Petitos body was found.
Additionally, a search of Jocelyn Watts and Jade Wagon’s names received even fewer mentions at a combined 7,284. Both sisters were found dead a year apart near Riverton, Wyoming. Watt’s death was ruled a homicide and has yet to be solved, and Wagon’s was ruled accidental, despite questions from the family. These are just a few of the cases that continue to be underrepresented and underreported. While we search for answers for Gabby Petito, we must also search for answers for Daniel Robinson, Jocelyn Watts, Jade Wagon, and many others who also deserve justice. Social media can be an important weapon for those who yield it. As more stories are told online, hopefully, social media can shine a light on everyone and lead to more answers than questions.
