As people around the world became engrossed in the tragic story of Gabby Petito, there are still many unsolved missing persons cases, including many involving people of color.
A study released earlier this year by University of Wyoming detailed information about missing and murdered Indigenous people, and became the focus in the media in recent days as more people began to critique the nation’s obsession with Petito's case.
The study found that there are more than 700 missing Indigenous people in Wyoming – the same state Petito went missing--between the years 2011 and 2020.
Why has Petito's case managed to capture the public's attention while these others go by unnoticed? Does it have anything to do with the "Missing White Woman" phenomenon?
This week on "Connect the Dots," attorney Brett Chapman – an enrolled member of the Pawnee Nation – explained how coverage of Native Americans in traditional media could have an impact on finding missing Indigenous people. Nicole Wagon, the mother of two girls who were found dead in Wyoming, shared the work her community is doing to solve the problem and her thoughts on what law enforcement should do to make the future safer.
Both believe there's a chance that the public interest in Petito's disappearance could help bring attention to these other missing persons cases moving forward.
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