16 American Cities Forever Changed by True Crime Documentaries

14. Moab, Utah: The Gabby Petito Vortex

Moab, Utah, a scenic gateway to national parks, found itself unexpectedly thrust into the global spotlight during the early stages of the Gabby Petito case in 2021. Documentaries like "The Murder of Gabby Petito: A TikTok Murder Mystery" (Peacock) specifically highlight the contentious police stop in Moab, a pivotal moment in the unfolding tragedy. The town, accustomed to tourists, became a focal point of intense media scrutiny and public debate, illustrating how a beautiful, remote setting could inadvertently become a critical stage for a tragic and widely followed true crime saga.