VIP Jeopardy! has been heavily reprimanded after Sunday night’s episode included a sign about Brian Laundrie, who confessed to killing sweetheart Gabby Petito in 2021.
During the episode — which featured actors John Michael Higgins, Wil Wheaton and Joel Kim Promoter — the contestants were provided this insight by have Mayim Bialik: “In 2021 criminal Brian Laundrie finished his days in Fla’s. Myakkahatchee River area, home to these long and excited critters.” The answer, which Promoter answered accurately, was alligators.
Watchers offered their viewpoints about the hint on social media, with many calling it disrespectful and in unfortunate taste. One person tweeted: “I’m kinda stunned that Jeopardy utilized Brian Laundrie, the killer from FL, in a hint about alligators. I’m almost certain they might have utilized better judgment and found that solution another way. Bad taste @Jeopardy.”
I’m kinda shocked that Jeopardy used Brian Laundrie, the murderer from FL, in a clue about alligators. I’m pretty sure they could have used better judgment and gotten that answer another way. Bad taste @Jeopardy
— TawneyQ 🌻🧡🇺🇦 (@tawney_ss) November 14, 2022
Another person stated: “Wow @Jeopardythat Brian Laundrie sign was in bad taste. You might have had the opportunity to ‘alligator’ any other way. Why bring him up? Gross.”
In the mid year of 2021, Petito and Laundrie went on a crosscountry trip together in a reused van, however on Sept. 11, Petito was accounted for missing by her family, who had not heard from her.
It was later revealed that Laundrie had gotten back to his parents’ home with the van 10 days before Petito was accounted for missing.
Wow @Jeopardy that Brian Laundrie clue was in bad taste. You could have gotten to “alligator” any other way. Why bring him up? Gross.
— Lexi Luthor (@LexiLuthor) November 14, 2022
The case made national and international headlines and by Sept. 17, Laundrie also was missing.
On Sept. 21, Petito’s body was discovered in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park. Her cause of death was later governed strangulation. On Oct. 21, the FBI confirmed Laundrie’s remains were found in Myakkahatchee River Environmental Park in Florida. Laundrie died from a self-inflicted gunfire twisted, according to earlier reporting by Individuals.
In January of 2022, the FBI announced that Laundrie’s composed confession taking responsibility for Petito’s death was tracked down near his remains.