The TV show Jeopardy! has come under fire after writers used a clue referencing Gabby Petito's death.
The 22-year-old was killed last summer by her fiancé in what was one of the year's most publicized murder cases.
In August 2021, Petito and Laundrie were stopped by Moab police while traveling around Utah together after eyewitnesses allegedly saw Landrie strike Petito. While no further action was taken at the scene, Petito's body was later discovered in Grand Teton National Park with evidence that she had been strangled.
Laundrie quickly became the prime suspect in a nationwide manhunt but was later found dead due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Due to the extremely sensitive nature of the case - and the fact that Petito's murder only took place last year - some viewers were taken aback when a question referencing the tragic story appeared on the normally light-hearted game show, Jeopardy!
Watch the clip from the episode below:On Sunday night's celebrity episode, the show featured a clue that referenced Laundrie's hiding and subsequent death, asking actors John Michael Higgins, Wil Wheaton, and Joel Kim Booster the following question: "In 2021, fugitive Brian Laundrie ended his days in Fla’s Myakkahatchee Creek area, home to these long and toothy critters..."
Of course, the answer was "What are alligators?" But fans were left less than impressed at the "insensitive" clue.
Taking to Twitter, people made sure their criticism was heard.
"How was this even approved? Surely there are other ways to come up with alligator," wrote one user.
"I’m sorry but this upsets me. He shouldn’t be getting his name ANYWHERE. It sickens me. He would actually LOVE this attention," added another.
A third tweeted: "One of the worst answers ever tonight, @Jeopardy The Brian Laundrie one showed a complete lack of class and total disrespect."
"What in the world?! How dare they immortalise his name further, and on a game show of all things like this. Like it’s nothing. For loved ones of Gabby and any other loved one of a murdered person to see and hear him spoken of so nonchalantly," another frustrated fan said.
Another said: "CRAZY!!! So disrespectful to Gabby and her family!!! Her murderer being on a friggin game show???"
And tweeting the show's official Twitter account, one person wrote: "You lost me on that Gabby Petito murder reference. It was insensitive to her family and other abuse victims. Unfortunately I will never watch the show again. Shame on all involved in this production."
Although no further reference to the case or the clue was made on the show, it understandably hit a nerve with some viewers.
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