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The tragic story of Gabby Petito captured the world’s attention, but the headlines associated with the case also exposed ongoing system failures when it comes to protecting victims of domestic violence and coercive control. The Netflix documentary about this case has prompted numerous conversations about these grave topics – and the urgent need for increased awareness, better law enforcement training and stronger legal protections – particularly regarding strangulation, a known precursor to homicide.
In a recent interview, Brian Bennett, a retired South Carolina law enforcement officer and domestic violence expert, discussed the warning signs of abuse, law enforcement missteps and how communities can work together to prevent future tragedies.
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UNDERSTANDING THE HIDDEN NATURE OF ABUSE
Domestic violence extends far beyond physical harm — it involves manipulation, control, and psychological abuse that can be difficult for victims and outsiders to recognize. Many victims do not immediately identify themselves as being in an abusive relationship, often blaming themselves or downplaying the severity of the situation.
According to Bennett, a common misconception is that victims “choose” to stay in abusive relationships. In reality, abusers are skilled manipulators who gradually isolate and control their partners.
“Abusers don’t look for strong-willed people they can’t control,” Bennett said. “They seek out those they can manipulate, and they refine their tactics over time.”
Social isolation is a major red flag, according to Bennett. Abusers often discourage or outright prevent victims from maintaining connections with family and friends. Fast-moving relationships, controlling behaviors (such as monitoring phone activity or finances), and excessive possessiveness disguised as concern are also common warning signs.
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MISSED OPPORTUNITIES: LAW ENFORCEMENT’S ROLE
One of the most heartbreaking aspects of the Petito case is how law enforcement failed to recognize her distress when they encountered her and Brian Laundrie during a traffic stop in Moab, Utah. Despite receiving a 911 call from a witness who reported seeing Laundrie hit Petito, officers ultimately viewed her as the aggressor — an all-too-common mistake in domestic violence cases.
Bennett stressed that inadequate training often leads to these errors. Many officers rely too heavily on visible injuries to determine who the victim is, without considering the full context of the situation. Trauma responses vary— some victims cry, while others may be numb, disoriented, or even angry. Without proper training, officers may misinterpret these reactions.
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RELATED | STRANGLED VOICES
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“The way questions are asked matters,” Bennett said. “Leading questions like ‘Did he hit you?’ can limit a victim’s ability to explain what happened, while open-ended questions allow them to share the full story.”
In Petito’s case, law enforcement separated her and Laundrie for the night, with Laundrie being provided a motel stay while Petito was left alone in her van. In hindsight, this decision was a lost opportunity to save her life.
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THE SILENT KILLER: STRANGULATION AS A RED FLAG FOR HOMICIDE
One of the most critical aspects of Petito’s murder was the manner in which it occurred — strangulation. Experts widely recognize non-fatal strangulation as one of the strongest indicators that a domestic violence situation may escalate to homicide. Research indicates that victims who have experienced non-fatal strangulation by an intimate partner are approximately 750% more likely to be killed by the same offender, according to the Institute on Strangulation Prevention.
“Strangulation is not just an act of violence — it’s a method of control,” Bennett said. “It can cause lasting brain damage, memory loss, and behavioral changes even if the victim survives.”
Despite its severity, many states have only recently begun enacting laws that recognize strangulation as a felony.
South Carolina remains an outlier in this regard. Unlike 49 other states, the Palmetto State does not currently have a standalone strangulation law – a shocking lapse considering the seriousness of the offense.
“When someone is strangled, whether they lose unconsciousness or not, the risk of death or great bodily injury is even higher than someone shooting at you with a pistol or a gun,” Bennett said.
Bennett, along with other advocates, has been working for nearly eight years to change this. Legislation currently under consideration – H. 3522 – would make non-fatal strangulation a felony offense in South Carolina, carrying a three-year sentence, with increased penalties for repeat offenders or those with protective orders against them.
“We have too many cases of victims who were strangled, survived, and later ended up dead,” Bennett said. “This law could help prevent that.”
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HOW TO SUPPORT VICTIMS AND ADVOCATE FOR CHANGE
For those who suspect a loved one is in an abusive relationship, experts recommend a consistent, non-judgmental approach. Instead of demanding the victim leave, it’s more effective to offer support, listen and provide resources when they are ready.
Education is also key. Bennett stressed that awareness about healthy versus unhealthy relationships should start young – both in schools and at home. Meanwhile, society at large must do more to highlight domestic violence awareness year-round, rather than only during designated awareness months.
Public service announcements, law enforcement training, and stronger community engagement can help bring this issue into the spotlight.
“The more we educate, the more lives we can save,” Bennett emphasized.
For those looking to help push South Carolina’s strangulation law forward, Bennett encourages residents to contact their state legislators. He also manages a Facebook advocacy group, Strangulation Law for SC, which provides updates on the bill’s progress.
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GABBY’S TRAGIC LEGACY
Gabby Petito’s case serves as a grim reminder that domestic violence often hides in plain sight. While her story ended in tragedy, it has sparked crucial conversations about the signs of abuse, the need for better law enforcement responses and the importance of legal reform.
For those currently in an abusive situation, help is available. The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) offers confidential support, as do many local organizations.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
Callie Lyons is a relentless investigative journalist, researcher, and author known for exposing hard truths with heart and precision. As a journalist for FITSNews, she dives into high-profile and murky cases—like that of Mica Francis Miller— with fearless resolve and a sharp eye for detail, whether it’s tracking white-collar crime, uncovering religious abuse, or examining the often-bizarre behavior of those who believe they’re above the law.
Callie made waves with her groundbreaking 2007 book Stain-Resistant, Nonstick, Waterproof and Lethal, the first to reveal the dangers of forever chemicals, a story that helped inspire the film Dark Waters and influenced global scientific dialogue. Her work has appeared in numerous documentaries, including Toxic Soup, National Geographic’s Parched: Toxic Waters, and more recently Citizen Sleuth, which examines the complexities of true crime podcasting.
Whether she’s navigating environmental disasters or the darker corners of society, Lyons operates with one guiding belief: “Truth never damages a cause that is just.”
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1 comment
So much we hear of this or that situation where “if the police had better training…” presumably lives might have been saved.
We have so many little cottage industries, each with its own agenda and each with its criers of “if the officers had been better trained…”.
You have the DUI industry, the BUI industry, the CDV industry, the human trafficking industry, and others the names of which escape me for the moment. Each has so many nuances and details to keep up with, how can any human being remember them all? Perhaps we need separate police for each situation so they can focus on each and every special crime that is backed by a cottage industry specific to that crime.
The cops here are catching grief that they didn’t do a bunch of stuff that may (or may not) have saved Gabby in this particular situation. Likely, they encountered what they perceived as a couple of drama queens. They perceived her as the aggressor because she may have been at that moment. They did not get the CDV Industry memo stating that “the male is always the aggressor and you need to devote several hours from your busy shift to ensure he is found guilty, despite the female fighting your efforts at every opportunity.” They may have had other calls awaiting responses. In many cases, calls can back up. These may be priority calls regarding crimes in progress, suspicious persons who by all appearances are about to commit a serious crime, shots fired, other domestic disputes, and more. Can we realistically expect them to take time to referee two, of dozens or more in their area of responsibility, people who can’t get along rather than acting like adults?
Maybe we need specialized CDV police, DUI police, BUI Police, and more, each with the manpower, specialized training, and the time to spend on their respective type calls.
I saw recently where some woman whose son died in a boating incident a few years ago is now calling for the Legislature to pass yet another law, named for her deceased son, because it will somehow salve her pain from losing him. Some of the stuff she is calling for makes sense. It would provide for better GPS marking for boat ramps and docks, so EMS and rescue can more quickly and easily get to people needing rescue or medical attention. Then there is the silly stuff. Requiring DNR to file reports of any boating or water related injury rather than just be notified. As I understand, her adult son was riding in a boat with others who may have consumed alcohol. The boat was riding along the shore line and a low hanging tree limb hit her son in the back of the head. Delays in medical assistance “may” have resulted in his tragic death. I doubt DNR being required to file a report would have mattered. Maybe if her son were not hanging out with (potentially) drunk people on a boat and (possibly) himself imbibing, he would have been more aware of his surroundings and avoided that tree limb. Is anyone else getting tired of our Legislature continuously being asked to create another law each year or less, named after somebody’s deceased child because it doesn’t have enough merit to pass without the emotional momentum of a name?
People early on, might want to raise their daughters especially, not to grow up to be drama queens and to make better choices in boyfriends and husbands. How many of the world’s Gabbys have told friends and others “I want a baad boy”? How many truly nice guys did she reject over time because she found them to be “boring”?
They want the “baad boys” but then they and their friends and family want the legal system and the police to help them control their baad boys once they find that they cannot do it themselves.
Police and the system are busy. Likely they are too busy to have to compensate for piss poor choices that too many people make far too often.
Life is painful. It is more painful when you are stupid. There is a reason it is that way.