Body Language Expert Breaks Down Gabby Petito And Brian Laundrie In Their Final TikTok Videos
The entire world was gripped by the case of Gabby Petito and what was eventually discovered to be her murder at the hands of fiance Brian Laundrie. The shocking story unraveled over the course of several months, after Petito, a travel influencer, disappeared during a road trip. Laundrie, who was immediately branded a person of interest in the case, then went missing himself. Per People, Laundrie's body was found in a Florida nature park in late 2021. The following January, the FBI confirmed that he was responsible for his 22-year-old former partner's death. A notebook discovered among his personal possessions included what was reported as a written confession. "The investigation did not identify any other individuals other than Brian Laundrie directly involved in the tragic death of Gabby Petito," FBI Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider said in a statement, per People.
The seemingly happy couple had been traversing the country in a van and documenting their experiences on social media along the way. But when Laundrie returned without Petito to his family home in September — only to disappear once Petito's family ruled her missing — police became suspicious. People reported that Petito's body was discovered in Grand Teton National Park on September 19, where she was confirmed to have died by strangulation. Although a warrant was issued for Laundrie's arrest, he was never actually brought into custody. Now, a body language expert is looking at footage of the couple in happier times for signs that all was not well.
Brian Laundrie showed worrying signs of immaturity
Body language expert and author Patti Wood chatted to The Sun about the final video posted online by slain influencer Gabby Petito, which was shared to TikTok on August 20, just a few weeks before she went missing. The short clip features Petito and fiance Brian Laundrie discussing the trials and tribulations of "van life," and looking to be in good spirits. "There is the lovely moment around the 12 second mark where she is smiling and he is smiling and she looks back and smiles at him and he is smiling and looking at her that communicated real affection and happiness," Wood pointed out. However, "She chose to be in front of him in the video and to be the main speaker. It's clear she feels it's her video, not their video."
As Wood explained, Petito wasn't wholly concerned with being the star since, "She chooses to open the video with him in the swing, and videos him opening the trunk and him talking to show this is my man." Ultimately, the body language expert argued, "He is happy in this video and she is too." Moreover, Laundrie seems more relaxed than in other clips, too. Most pertinently though, Wood noted how "[Laundrie's] voice and demeanor are similar to a teenage boy rather than a fully adult man." The late couple may have seemed happy, but things ended on a tragic note for both of them.