TAMPA, Fla. — Experts who reviewed body camera footage Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie when they were stopped by Utah police on Aug. 12, say it shows clear examples of an unhealthy relationship.


What You Need To Know

  •  Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie were stopped by police on Aug. 12 in Utah

  • Some advocates against domestic violence say video of that encounter shows signs of an unhealthy relationship

  • Petito was found dead in Grand Teton National Park on Sept. 19, Laundrie is currently missing

According to the National Coaliton against Domestic Violence, one in four women, and one in 10 men, will experience abuse at the hands of the an intimate partner. 

"Young women tend to be at greater risk," said The Spring of Tampa Bay President Mindy Murphy, who works with victims of domestic abuse. 

Murphy said she believes the video of Petito and Laundrie shows signs of a toxic relationship. 

"Gabby was hyperventilating, she was distraught, she was overwhelmed by what was happening and Brian was calm and collected," Murphy said, adding that Laundrie's composure can be a sign of control and is a common trait of abuse. 

"She was most likely the victim in this altercation, despite the fact that law enforcement says she was the primary aggressor," said Murphy.

Some believe a 911 call by a bystander during the Utah altercation revealed otherwise — the caller said that they say Laundrie slapping Petito. 

Murphy says an opportunity was missed during the investigation of the Aug. 12 dispute. 

"Law enforcement could have taken the opportunity to ask more questions," she said. "Gabby indicated that Brian had grabbed her by her face. That would've been a great opportunity to say has he done that before." 

Murphy says the threat of being further harmed by an abuser can also silence victims. 

"Al ot of times people who have been victimized, they don't want something bad to happen to their partner," she said. "They just want them to stop being abusive and stop using power and control." 

Clara Reynolds is the president of Crisis Center of Tampa Bay and says the twists and turns of the case can be triggering. 

"When you become more agitated than educated its time to give yourself a time out," she said. 

Followers of the couples' trip via social media may have developed a connection to them. 

"In those videos, looking happy looking healthy, then you notice a change in  the dynamic between the two young people," Reynolds said. "Then to have this horrible ending."

The Crisis Center officials say Petito's death has taken an emotional and mental toll that should not be ignored. 

They encourage those who need help to call their offices by dialing 211. 

Meanwhile the city of Moab, Utah, has launched an investigation on how their officers handled the dispute between Petito and Laundrie.