I'm wondering about the circumstances that led up to Gabby's death. I've known a few abusers in my life and the overarching theme of these guys was always maintaining an image for their friends. It was very important to them that their friends couldn't envision the physical harm they rained down on their SO. Most of the violence was in the home not in public. But walls have ears and victims sometimes spill their guts to close friends.
In the case of BL, he'd already experienced what a concerned citizen could do by calling 911 putting him on display and having to explain the circumstances of his actions. But lo and behold, he met some bros who commiserated with him and he was laughing and joking with them while Gabby sat in the police car mentally exhausted, physically harmed and emotionally spent. She actually took the load off him.
But one thing Gabby was, was driven. She was focused on her dream to create a video blog of their travels. And nothing was going to stop her. After the second dustup in the restaurant, where BL lost his cool in front of many people, I'm sure the last place he wanted to be was back in an environment where he may have been recognized as the jerk who had a tantrum. It's kind of difficult to rehabilitate your image when you already have a couple of public displays of anger.
I can just imagine the conversations they may have had the night Gabby was killed. She was bound and determined to continue and he was trying his best to undermine her plans. Probably at some time, she may have issued an ultimatum: if you don't want to continue, fine, but I'm going to finish this trip with you or without you. Words flew, anger increased, threats were made. Maybe even Gabby saying, 'oh, no this van is mine. If you want to go back to Florida it won't be in the van.' She gets up to leave he stops her she struggles and he does what he always has. He just want her to shut up. She never shuts up. Now she's lying on the ground and he sits there crying. So full of remorse. 'I'm sorry Gabby. Why can't you just shut up'. He stays sorry until he realizes he's sitting beside a dead girl. A terrible accident. Just an accident. I can explain. Mom, dad, I can explain. He takes her phone, the keys and her credit cards. He never touches her again. He breaks camp and is gone before first light.