The disappearance of Gabby Petito in the late summer of 2021 was more than just a news story. It was a digital obsession. Millions of people watched her YouTube videos, scrolled through her Instagram, and analyzed every frame of that now-infamous Moab police bodycam footage. When tragedy struck and her remains were found in Wyoming, the internet didn't just mourn—it speculated.
One of the most persistent, widely shared rumors was that she was expecting a child. It’s a claim that still pops up in TikTok comment sections and true crime forums today. But honestly, when you look at the cold hard facts provided by the Teton County Coroner’s Office, the answer is definitive.
Was Gabby Petito Pregnant? The Short Answer
No. Gabby Petito was not pregnant. During a highly anticipated press conference on October 12, 2021, Dr. Brent Blue, the Teton County Coroner, addressed this specific rumor head-on. He was blunt. He stated clearly that the autopsy results confirmed she was not pregnant at the time of her death.
For many followers of the case, this was a moment of clarity. Rumors had reached a fever pitch, with "sleuths" claiming they saw a baby bump in photos or suggesting that a pregnancy might have been the catalyst for the tension between her and Brian Laundrie. Dr. Blue’s statement was intended to shut down that line of thinking once and for all.
Why the Rumors Started in the First Place
People love a narrative. In the world of true crime, a "secret pregnancy" is a common trope that adds a layer of heartbreak and motive. On social media, users began zooming in on Petito’s loose-fitting clothes. They analyzed her mood swings in the police video. Some even claimed her Pinterest boards—which featured nursery ideas—were "proof."
In reality, many young women use Pinterest to plan for a future they haven't reached yet. It wasn't evidence of a current pregnancy. It was just a 22-year-old dreaming.
Breaking Down the Autopsy Findings
The autopsy was grueling. It took weeks to complete because the remains had been exposed to the elements for roughly three to four weeks.
When Dr. Blue finally spoke to the media, he didn't just talk about the pregnancy rumors. He revealed the "cause and manner" of death.
- Cause of death: Manual strangulation.
- Manner of death: Homicide.
- Timeframe: She had been dead for about 3–4 weeks before her body was discovered on September 19, 2021.
Manual strangulation is a very specific, personal type of violence. It suggests a close-range struggle. This detail, combined with the later discovery of Brian Laundrie’s notebook in Florida—where he admitted to the killing—painted a grim picture of domestic violence that had reached a breaking point.
The Science of the "Not Pregnant" Finding
How could they tell? Even after weeks in the Wyoming wilderness, forensic pathologists have ways. They use toxicology, histology (looking at tissues under a microscope), and physical examination of the uterus.
Dr. Blue mentioned that a full-body CAT scan was part of the process. This technology allows coroners to see internal structures without immediately performing invasive procedures. Between the scan and the physical examination, the medical team had more than enough data to confirm she wasn't carrying a child.
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The Role of Social Media in Spreading Misinformation
Social media is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it helped find Gabby’s van. A couple who vlogged their travels (Red White & Bethune) spotted the white Ford Transit in their footage and alerted the FBI. That was huge.
On the other hand, the "was Gabby Petito pregnant" question shows how quickly a guess can become a "fact" in the digital echo chamber.
- TikTok Theories: Creators gained millions of views by "analyzing" Gabby's behavior for signs of morning sickness.
- Reddit Deep Dives: Users cross-referenced her cycles based on vague clues in her vlogs.
- Twitter/X Speculation: The hashtag #GabbyPetitoPregnant trended multiple times.
It’s a reminder that while the internet can solve cases, it can also create noise that distracts from the actual victim and the evidence at hand.
Domestic Violence: The Real Story
The focus on a potential pregnancy often shifted the conversation away from the most important aspect of the case: domestic violence. The bodycam footage from Moab, Utah, showed a young woman in deep distress. She was crying, hyperventilating, and taking the blame for the physical altercations.
If you look at the timeline, the signs were there.
- August 12, 2021: The Moab police stop. Gabby is visibly shaken.
- Late August: Communication with her family becomes strained and eventually stops.
- September 1: Brian Laundrie returns to Florida in the van... alone.
The tragedy wasn't that a "pregnant woman" died; the tragedy was that a 22-year-old woman with her whole life ahead of her was killed by someone who claimed to love her. Focusing on the pregnancy rumor almost makes it seem like her life would only be "more" valuable if she were carrying a child. Her life was valuable regardless.
Where the Case Stands Now
The legal battles have mostly settled. The Petito family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Laundrie family, which was settled for $3 million in 2022. They also reached a settlement with the Moab Police Department.
Today, Gabby’s parents, Joseph Petito and Nichole Schmidt, run the Gabby Petito Foundation. They don't want people to remember her just as a headline or a subject of a rumor. They want her name to be associated with helping other missing persons and victims of domestic abuse.
What You Can Do
If you find yourself going down a true crime rabbit hole, it's easy to get lost in the "what-ifs." But when it comes to the question of whether Gabby Petito was pregnant, the medical evidence is the final word.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, you don't have to wait for it to escalate. There are resources that can help.
- Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
- Text "START" to 88788
- Visit the Gabby Petito Foundation website to see how they are working to protect others in similar situations.
Sticking to the facts is the best way to honor Gabby's memory. The rumors might get clicks, but the truth is what actually matters for justice and for the family she left behind.
Next Steps for Readers: If you want to support the cause, consider visiting the official Gabby Petito Foundation to learn about their "Bring Them Home" initiative. You can also educate yourself on the "Lethality Assessment," a tool used by law enforcement to determine the risk of domestic violence becoming fatal. Understanding these signs can literally save a life.