# Van lifer goes missing on cross country trip with fiancee **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 13, 2021, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604 "2021-09-13T13:48:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2021, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/241 "2021-09-19T19:15:26Z")
I do agree that this could be a social media stunt, but my hunch is that it’s murder in the heat of the moment and post-murder freak-out. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2021, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/242 "2021-09-19T19:54:01Z")
Assuming it was a social media stunt exactly what laws have they broken? It’s not a crime to go off by yourself. Brian refused to talk–he hasn’t lied to the police. It was her parents who started the police reports, media attention. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2021, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/243 "2021-09-19T20:06:46Z")
> [@pmwgreen](#): > > Let’s go less Coen Brothers, more Sam Rami… Or maybe Jonathan Mostow–the movie scenario that I thought of was [Breakdown](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118771/), where the bad guys kidnap Kurt Russell’s wife and send him into town to come up with the ransom money. ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2021, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/244 "2021-09-19T20:18:59Z")
> [@Tibby](#): > > But, naively, they didn’t anticipate the trouble they’d be in, until it was too late, and they don’t know how to get out of this situation without severe punishment. What punishment would they be facing? Either of them? Derision, perhaps, but punishment seems a bit of a hard sell, particularly if neither of them called the police—or indeed said anything at all to the police. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2021, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/245 "2021-09-19T20:25:51Z")
Heh. I’m at a brewery now with two of our dogs (Kali & Kizee) and my gf (my gf). She moved away to another table across the Biergarten from me. She returned, explaining she took a business call and was being polite. I told her I was beginning to think I’d be driving home alone in the van. We’ve never discussed the case but I was understood. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2021, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/246 "2021-09-19T20:26:43Z")
I’m having trouble seeing the hoax angle. Balloon boys parents called the media immediately to have a news chopper follow the ballon. What would have been the plan here? Wait for her parents to freak out and call the police and hope that it wound up getting the media coverage it eventually wound up getting? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2021, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/247 "2021-09-19T20:32:55Z")
> [@Folly](#): > > What would have been the plan here? Relationships are complicated. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2021, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/248 "2021-09-19T20:34:44Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Relationships are complicated… Plan as in publicity stunt plan. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2021, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/249 "2021-09-19T20:38:17Z")
> [@pmwgreen](#): > > Let’s go less Coen Brothers, more Sam Rami. How about Sam Peckinpah? Or at least Quentin Tarantino. Exploding heads, ultra violence, cracking dialog. ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2021, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/250 "2021-09-19T20:46:37Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > How about Sam Peckinpah? Who is “the boss” going into the final showdown at the end? Is one or both of the couple going to walk into a crowded newsroom, shoot the anchor on air, and then, just as it seems they’re about to get away with it, the rest of the newsroom (security guards and all) looking on in stunned silence, take a shot at the weather desk just because they don’t like the look of the meteorologist, thus provoking a wild shootout live on national television? …that certainly would generate a lot of social media buzz. ---
**Author:** ![MoonMoon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moonmoon/32/2959_2.png) [@MoonMoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoonMoon)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2021, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/251 "2021-09-19T21:02:44Z")
> [@Folly](#): > > I’m having trouble seeing the hoax angle. Balloon boys parents called the media immediately to have a news chopper follow the ballon. > > What would have been the plan here? Wait for her parents to freak out and call the police and hope that it wound up getting the media coverage it eventually wound up getting? It’s not about media attention; it’s about _social_ media attention. (I don’t think this is actually what happened, but I can see how it would happen.) To be internet famous, an “influencer,” is a career goal for the kids these days. There are influencers of every flavor: hair, makeup, pranks, lifestyle, mommies, just plain being hot, etc. etc. Van life is a big one among attractive, fit young people.It can parlay into all kinds of brand sponsorships and ad dollars. So. Pull a stunt like a scandalous internet “feud” between influencers, or pretend you’re a kickass beekeeper, when it’s all been set up for the cameras, and even adopting children for the social media boost, and enjoy the attention and profit. It all increases traffic, “likes” and the attention of sponsors, until the internet turns on you, which always happens eventually. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2021, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/252 "2021-09-19T21:06:21Z")
I would think the two most likely things are a) murder and b) bf leaves after a fight or even amicably, and she dies via accident. Stunt might be 3rd, but a & b would be like 90% for me and the other possibilities are in the margins. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2021, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/253 "2021-09-19T21:18:35Z")
> [@Folly](#): > > I’m having trouble seeing the hoax angle. Balloon boys parents called the media immediately to have a news chopper follow the ballon. > > What would have been the plan here? Wait for her parents to freak out and call the police and hope that it wound up getting the media coverage it eventually wound up getting? IANAL, but I suppose they didn’t break any criminal law, since they didn’t (hypothetically) file a false missing persons report (unlike Balloon Boy’s parents who were convicted for doing so, but later pardoned). But, it’s certainly a fine line between that and remaining silent, knowing costly law enforcement resources are being spent looking for someone whose parents (rightfully) reported missing. If not criminally responsible, maybe they fear being sued civilly to recoup damages. Or, social media hounds that they almost certainly are, they fear loss of revenue from potentially losing their audience in the court of public opinion. Alternately, perhaps they know they can’t be charged criminally, and they are perpetuating the hoax. That would be a crappy thing to put Gabby’s parent’s through, but maybe they hate the parents and crave the national spotlight. ---
**Author:** ![Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cabin_fever_1/32/2908_2.png) [@Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabin_Fever_1)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2021, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/254 "2021-09-19T21:18:51Z")
CNN reporting body found in area of search. Not yet on website, just TV so no links. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2021, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/255 "2021-09-19T21:19:50Z")
Here’s the most comprehensive link regarding the discovery I’ve found so far. [https://abc7ny.com/gabby-petito-brian-laundrie-disappearance-search/11030913/](https://abc7ny.com/gabby-petito-brian-laundrie-disappearance-search/11030913/) ---
**Author:** ![Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cabin_fever_1/32/2908_2.png) [@Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabin_Fever_1)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2021, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/256 "2021-09-19T21:20:44Z")
Thanks for the link. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2021, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/257 "2021-09-19T21:23:16Z")
Fox News has some additional info… > Fox News Digital can also confirm that about 10 minutes after the coroner arrived on the scene, search dogs participating in the search left the search area. > **[FBI: Human remains found in Wyoming likely Gabby Petito](https://www.foxnews.com/live-news/gabby-petito-search-missing-woman-brian-laundrie)** > > Investigators on Saturday continued the national search for missing woman Gabby Petito a week after she was first reported missing. The search for her fiancé Brian Laundrie, who is a person of interest in the case, has ramped up since police officers... ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2021, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/258 "2021-09-19T21:54:20Z")
Looks like they’re about to have a press conference in a few minutes: > ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2021, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/259 "2021-09-19T21:56:37Z")
The “social media hoax” angle is pretty well undercut by the fact that there has been no social media postings from Miss Petito or Mr. Laundrie in weeks. It is, IMO, not possible that they are performing a hoax with an eye on the long game, somehow. The idea just doesn’t hold up to the facts that we know. ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2021, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604/260 "2021-09-19T22:15:24Z")
Per the press conference, the body is likely Gabby. They are confirming further, but are pretty certain. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-lifer-goes-missing-on-cross-country-trip-with-fiancee/950604.md?page=14)