Gabby Petito’s story captured the nation, but her parents made sure it led to action. In this episode, we examine Gabby’s tragic death and the powerful advocacy led by her parents, Nichole Schmidt and Joe Petito, in her name.

Through the Gabby Petito Foundation, they’ve worked to raise awareness about domestic violence, expand resources for victims, and push for real legislative reform. Their efforts helped pass Senate Bill 117 in Utah and the Gabby Petito Act in Florida, requiring law enforcement to conduct lethality assessments during domestic violence calls.

They also played a key role in passing Billy’s Law (Help Find the Missing Act), improving how missing persons are entered into national databases—because, as Joe Petito said, “Everyone deserves to be found.”

Gabby’s life mattered. And through her parents’ courage and advocacy, her legacy continues to save lives.

If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233.

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

In this episode, Natalie and Katrina break down the controversial case of Karen Read, accused of killing her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, during a 2022 snowstorm. What first appeared to be a tragic accident spiraled into allegations of police bias, mishandled evidence, conflicting timelines, and possible cover-ups.

Update

Since recording this episode, the story reached a dramatic conclusion: a jury found Karen Read not guilty on all charges. After years of controversy, public scrutiny, and questions about the integrity of the investigation, justice finally prevailed.

Karen was convicted of a lesser charge, operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol (OUI), and was sentenced to one year of probation.

In 1991, four teenage girls were murdered inside an Austin yogurt shop, a case that shocked Texas and led to wrongful convictions, overturned years later by DNA evidence. Now, in 2025, investigators have finally identified the real killer: Robert Eugene Brashers, a serial offender linked through forensic genetic genealogy.

Justice Seekers explores how the investigation went wrong, how science set it right, and what true justice means after three decades of unanswered questions.