There’s one major reason you can’t find Loretta Bush, the “hero” of American Murder: Gabby Petito

Loretta Bush, the heroic FBI agent in American Murder: Gabby Petito, has blown up on TikTok. If you’re struggling to find any trace of her online, there’s a reason for that. Warning: some may find this content distressing.

The latest chapter of the Netflix true crime docu-series turns focus to the case of Gabby Petito, who was murdered by her fiancé Brian Laundrie in August 2021 during their road trip across the US. Brian quietly traveled home before going on the run during the search for Gabby. 

He later died by suicide, with the authorities finding his remains in October, a month after Gabby’s body was found. Among his belongings was a notebook in which he confessed to killing Gabby, although his version of events does not line up with Gabby’s autopsy report. 

American Murder speaks with Gabby’s friends and family, while also interviewing key detectives and law enforcement agents involved in the search. One who has garnered a significant reaction is Loretta Bush – but no one can find her online. 

Why American Murder viewers can’t find Loretta Bush 

The reason for this is actually quite simple: she’s an FBI agent, meaning her name was likely changed for privacy purposes. As part of the agency’s standard protocol, the identities of agents are often protected to prevent any potential risks or harassment.

Netflix

Although there’s no law on this, FBI agents often operate under assumed names or aliases to protect their identities. 

This practice is particularly prevalent in undercover operations, as the Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1982 makes it a federal crime to intentionally disclose the identity of a covert agent, including those operating under assumed names, without authorization.

Chances are Loretta Bush is an assumed name. Similarly, another FBI agent who appears in American Murder: Gabby Petito simply goes by “Kyle”, which could be his first name or a fake name altogether to ensure his anonymity. 

But that’s not for lack of trying, as viewers of the docu-series have tried to find information on Loretta online using her name and that she’s said to be in the Tampa Division – mostly because they admire her work and want to share praise for her. 

Taking to TikTok, one shared a video of their laptop screen as they searched for Loretta, with text over the screen reading, “Can’t find that beautiful FBI agent from Gabby Petito’s documentary. Someone let her know we all love her.”

In addition to the footage, they said, “So I was trying to find more photos or interviews of Loretta Bush, which is the FBI agent that was involved in Gabby Petito’s case. I’m not finding anything and I’ve been diving for a bit.

“I wonder if that’s her real name or if it’s a fake name for privacy purposes, given what she does, which is understandable. But we just can’t see more of her than the documentary, I guess.”

“So all we have is this, which isn’t bad,” she adds, while playing a clip of Loretta in the doc.

Gabby Petito FBI agent branded “hero”

Netflix

Not only is Loretta being celebrated for the work that she did on the Gabby Petito case, but she’s also been lauded as a hero for getting choked up in the Netflix documentary series while discussing other missing persons cases, showing that she truly cares about the victims. 

And, of course, TikTok being TikTok, Loretta has become the subject of a collective crush. While it’s important to acknowledge the admiration for her, it’s crucial not to lose sight of the seriousness of the case and the significant, sensitive work she’s done as an FBI agent. 

As she says in American Murder, “I don’t take my position as law enforcement for granted. Some of these stories are difficult, but getting closure for the family, getting answers, is what’s important to me.”

Later, Loretta discusses the issues surrounding Brian’s family, including his parents Roberta and Christopher Laundrie, as well as his sister Cassie Laundrie. “Brian’s parents were not cooperative in the search for Gabby,” she says. 

“So at the time, the Laundries just carried on with their regular everyday life. In fact, when Brian first came home with the van, him, his parents, and his sister Cassie went on a camping trip at Fort De Soto. 

“This raised a lot of questions and speculations, naturally, about what the Laundrie family knew.” Again, Loretta has received praise for raising the issues with regard to the family and their behavior.

But the moment that’s had the most attention is when Loretta gets choked up as she says, “This story is unique, but I will tell you that there are so many other people out there missing, and… they are important too.

“So, my work is important. Victims’ lives are important.”

Alongside the countless comments admiring her appearance, many viewers have shared praise for Loretta’s compassion and empathy. One said, “Loretta Bush is an amazing human!! I cried when she got choked up.”

“The way she got emotional when she said that there are so many victims waiting to be saved got me,” wrote another, while a third added, “She really cares about helping people, absolute hero.”

American Murder: Gabby Petito is streaming on Netflix now. For more on the doc, read about what the Laundrie parents have said, why the Moab police are facing backlash, and why the conspiracy theory Brian is alive is wrong.