So a vlogger was found dead, presumed murdered, near Grand Teton, while hobo-ing with her fiancé Brian Laundrie.
There are deaths like this everywhere everyday, so what makes this one so special. Because first, this is a youtube vlogger whose life and death is so connected to what she posted on social media:
People like them call it Van Life, I'll just stick to hobo.
And also, the trouble with now disappeared suspect, Brian Laundrie, the fiancé, was well documented in an hour plus long police recording on youtube:
And then there's a huge social media follow up, trying to find out what happened and helping the investigation, which with the help of another road trip vlogger, stumbled upon Petito's van and consequently led to her body being found.
Soon after Brian returned to Florida, alone, with the van, crowds gathered around his home demanding for an answer. And he then disappeared. Cops said the parents did not cooperate. Australian 60 Minutes called this a dereliction of duty on the investigator's part:
Someone also testified to Laundrie's odd behavior when she picked him up as he was hitchhiking, and dropping him near where the body was found:
All these have also accumulated millions of views. So another way to gain million of views and $$$ is perhaps when capital crime is involved with a sprinkle of mystery. Because there are clues the public can follow and enough recorded drama as evidence for everyone to investigate and come up with their own theories, the interest grew. Perhaps the good looks of the young couples also contribute to the interest of the public. No government nor authorities are able to prevent it. This is one of the use of social media. Information, not wisdom, but just vast knowledge for those who care.
For me, I'm just into the psychology of people.