The missing person case of Gabby Petito transfixed the nation in the fall of 2021 and has remained relevant with the recent Netflix documentary shedding light on her story. Petito, 22, left Florida in July 2021 to travel across the country in a van with her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, documenting her experiences on social media as she aimed to become a #vanlife influencer. Yet, her disappearance the following August quickly ignited widespread media coverage and public fascination.
Petito's family reported her missing on September 11, 2021, prompting extensive searches intertwined with social media speculation and national news updates. Tragically, Petito's body was found later in September, ruled to be homicide. Just weeks after her body was discovered, Laundrie’s remains were located, with the cause of death concluded as suicide, discovered alongside his notebook which contained admissions of guilt for Petito's murder.
The recent release of the Netflix special, which aired in February 2025, has reignited interest and discussions surrounding her case. It became one of the top 10 most-watched shows, reflecting how the case continues to capture the collective attention of audiences. Public interest resurges every time new content is released, raising questions about the media's role and responsibilities.
The immense attention Petito garnered serves as the epitome of what is termed Missing White Woman Syndrome (MWWS), first coined by journalist Gwen Ifill. This term refers to the disparity of media coverage, focusing predominantly on young, attractive, White women compared to women of color. Despite the considerable scholarly conversations on the topic, there’s very little formal research examining the broader effects of MWWS on societal perceptions.
Lauren Smith-Fields, another tragic case, exemplifies the stark difference often seen within these narratives. Smith-Fields, only 23, was found deceased in December 2021 after what initially appeared to be an accidental overdose. Her family and advocates have publicly criticized law enforcement for their handling of her case, asserting the investigation was inadequate—missing evidence collection and insufficient questioning of her date—including claims of possible foul play. Yet, her case did not receive even remotely close media visibility compared to Petito's.
The issue is not isolated. Years earlier, the case of Laci Peterson, who went missing on Christmas Eve of 2002 and was then found dead, attracted extensive media scrutiny. The stark differences between these cases—Petito’s, Smith-Fields’s, and Peterson’s—showcase the biases at play. Peterson’s husband, Scott Peterson, even infamously called his mistress during vigils for Laci, exemplifying the media's sensational spin when focusing on these narratives.
Fictionals narratives explore MWWS, as well. Gillian Flynn’s bestselling novel, Gone Girl, spins the tale of Amy Dunne, who fakes her own kidnapping, shining light on societal cultural scripts around women categorized as victims. Dunne’s character sheds light on how women viewed as beautiful or affluent are often more likely to gain sympathy and media coverage, irrespective of the truth of their circumstances.
Media selection biases extend beyond coverage of missing cases. Research implicates racial disparities and the portrayal of Black women as victims. When violence occurs against Black women, the media is prone to lean on stereotypes like the “oversexed Jezebel,” which can evoke victim-blaming narratives and mitigate the responsibility of perpetrators. This disparity leads to public misperception about who poses greater risks within various communities.
The statistics indicate alarming discrepancies: one-third of White women reported missing will receive attention from mainstream media, including family photos, compared to less than one-sixth of missing Indigenous women. This selective coverage can result in the public dehumanizing and lacking empathy for victims who do not fit certain predetermined societal standards.
Psychiatrists and mental health professionals must recognize the negativity bias such disparities can propagate and seek equitable treatment for all their patients. Research shows Black and Hispanic patients are disproportionately labelled with psychotic disorders compared to White patients, which is often exacerbated by biased media representations affecting public perception of mental illness. Such portrayals can discourage individuals from seeking help, resulting in dire consequences.
According to prominent studies, individuals with mental illness struggle with diminished self-esteem due to media portrayal, impacting their willingness to seek treatments or adhere to the recommendations of care providers. Mental health professionals ought to actively engage patients about how they perceive these societal narratives and let them know their voices and concerns are acknowledged.
The Gabby Petito case and similar instances have also raised awareness around intimate partner violence (IPV). A troubling recent study asserts IPV fatalities impact minority ethnic groups disproportionally, often resulting in younger average ages of death. It's imperative for clinicians to advocate screening and engage patients of all backgrounds to help prevent such tragedies and treat victims with appropriate sensitivity.
This also extends to the complex issues surrounding feticide—sometimes resulting from intimate partner violence involving pregnant women. Research indicates Black women face higher rates than other demographics for these atrocities. Knowledge sharing and advocacy by healthcare providers can combat these media-driven biases.
Media exposure, coupled with its biases, is unavoidable today and significantly affects perceptions surrounding mental health and marginalized communities. The polarized nature of today's media can amplify mental health challenges across populations. Education on media literacy can promote awareness surrounding biases, positively influencing audiences' ability to critically evaluate media narratives.
By recognizing and addressing these biases, media’s roles can shift from sensationalism toward equitable, accurate representations for all individuals. Mental health practitioners can make significant strides toward fair treatment by remaining cognizant of how distorted media narratives can influence both patient care outcomes and societal perceptions.