https://twitter.com/internetinsider/status/1441545970739601411?s=21
The case of Gabby Petito, the 22-year-old who was found dead in Wyoming after traveling in a van with her fiancé, has gripped the nation.
But how did her story go viral?
@thisisinsider created a timeline of how the case unfolded in the public eye.
https://twitter.com/internetinsider/status/1441545975273639936?s=21
September 12: A nonprofit shared the missing-persons poster
Petito was reported missing on September 11.
The next day, the Aware Foundation, a nonprofit focused on missing persons advocacy, shared a post on Facebook to 100,000 followers.
https://twitter.com/internetinsider/status/1441545976930611205?s=21
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September 13: The news gained traction and a subreddit r/GabbyPetito was created
Social-media posts about Petito followed national news coverage on September 13. (Insider first covered the story on September 13
https://twitter.com/internetinsider/status/1441545983083483143?s=21
The subreddit now has over 120,000 members.
The #gabbypetito hashtag had more associated tweets as search interest also increased, according to Google Trends data.
September 14: Brian Laundrie's “no further comment” statement is released
Chatter increased online once the news spread.
The same day, TikTok user Paris Campbell posted a video containing the missing person's poster, pulling in over 400,000 views.
September 15: Search interest tripled after Florida police labeled Petito's fiancé a 'person of interest’
Hundreds of tweets and TikTok videos were shared, dissecting news about her disappearance.
On Twitter, accounts with only a few followers were pulling in thousands of likes asking about Petito.
Users on social media tried to assemble what they believed to be clues, combing through Petito and Laundrie's social media accounts.
September 19: Authorities said they found a body near Grand Teton National Park that could be the remains of Gabby Petito.
The body was officially confirmed to be Petito two days later.
"Psychic" TikTok, where self-proclaimed mediums and spirit guides vie for viral attention, is under fire after some psychics began spreading conspiracy theories about the killing of 22-year-old Gabby Petito.
September 21: Petito's death was ruled a homicide by the FBI.
The story hit its most-searched point on September 21, according to Google Trends, after the disappearance became a criminal investigation and the body in Wyoming was confirmed to be Petito.
The search has continued for Brian Laundrie.
A federal arrest warrant has been issued for Brian Laundrie on the unauthorized use of a debit card.
The virality of Gabby Petito’s disappearance has illuminated discussion on racial disparities in media coverage.
Missing women of color do not receive the same national media coverage.
How Gabby Petito's killing and Brian Laundrie's disappearance went viral on social media