Spooky Season Series Selection Part 2 - Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story

Austin Price, Editor in Chief  

In continuing my Spooky Season Series Selection, we have another series created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan for Netflix. Today’s selection is the second season of the Monster series and focuses on a controversial and highly debated case. The disputation of this case was mainly due to the extensive media coverage and exploitation of all involved through the televised process. In a harrowing account of childhood abuse and the greed of the American Dream, comes the biased story of the Menendez brothers. Today’s Spooky Season Series Selection is Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.  

On September 19, 2024, nearly two years after the show’s debut, the second installment in the Monster anthology series hit the streams. The second series centers on the 1989 murders of José and Kitty Menendez. The murders were later determined to be parricides, as the couple was killed by their own sons, Lyle and Erik Menendez. Nicholas Alexander Chavez portrays the eldest brother, Lyle, while Cooper Koch embodies the younger brother Erik. Javiar Bardem plays the head of the house, José, and Chloë Sevigny accompanies him as José’s wife, Kitty.  

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story incorporates the Rashomon effect. The Rashomon effect is the phenomenon of the unreliability of eyewitnesses. It is used by the show’s creators, Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, to allow viewers to form their own interpretations of the story, by presenting key events through unreliable narrators. The narrators of the series are the brothers, Lyle and Erik, the leaders of the family, José and Kitty, Erik's lead defense attorney, Leslie Abramson, Erik's therapist, Dr. Jerome Oziel,  Dr. Oziel's mistress, Judalon Smyth, and Dominick Dunne, a journalist whose biased perception of the boys’ story was published in Vanity Fair.  

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story has received a plethora of criticism, mainly due to the overly sexual themes seen in the episodes. While childhood sexual abuse is one of the main aspects of the Menendez brothers' case, many argue that the explicit sexual content and portrayal of the characters discount the severity of the issue in the true story. Additionally, the show garnered controversy for implying an incestuous relationship between the brothers. This relationship has been denounced by both Erik and Lyle. However, Lyle later expressed gratitude for its depiction of child abuse, that gave a new light to his side of the story, and a better reasoning for his motive.  

The series has 9 full episodes, each of which bounces between featuring different viewpoints and accounts of those involved. The soundtrack, costumes, set design, and mannerisms of each episode clearly demonstrate the spirit of 1989, when the crime took place. Out of the 9 episodes, halfway through the series, at episode 5, is The Hurt Man.  

Directed by Michael Uppendahl and written by Ian Brennan, episode 5 is a one-shot episode that features the magnificent talents of Cooper Koch and Ari Gaynor. The episode centers on a conversation between Erik, played by Koch, and his lead defense attorney, Leslie Abramson, played by Gaynor. This conversation reveals Erik’s account of the atrocities committed by his father, while his mother, aware of the situation, neglected to protect him. In a haunting conversation formatted in a confessional style, Erik expresses the nightmares of his past. Leslie serves as a mentor, guardian, and safe space for him to finally relieve himself of the horrors of his childhood.  

The series has gained various opinions from the public. Some were swayed by the passionate performances of Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavez. Their depiction of the brothers garnered an unexpected sympathy from the current generation. This is due to the current generation’s more inclusive and empathetic outlook on life, as well as our distrust of the legal system. With this outlook, Erik and Lyle’s stories were finally told to a captivated audience, bringing their supposed injustice in punishment and time served under scrutiny. As a member of Generation Z myself, I will say that the performances of Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavez were heartfelt and raw and gave a voice to the unexpected victims of the story.  

Unlike the first season of the series, Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, season 2 is much more entertaining and is written for audience appeal. Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, was written in a no-nonsense way, clearly painting Dahmer as the villain, with no room for debate. Season 2 of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, is a more Hollywood studded, glamorized version of true crime, blurring the line between hero and villain and skewing the perception of truth and reality.  

Despite the multiple controversies, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story achieved global commercial success, debuting as the number one series on Netflix worldwide, the most-viewed streaming content on the Nielsen Streaming Chart, and the third most-watched Netflix series in the second half of 2024. Critics and academy members praised the performances of the actors involved. At the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, it earned 11 nominations, including Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for Koch. For the 82nd Golden Globe Awards, nominations included Miniseries or Television Film for Koch, and Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film for Bardem.  

With the incredible success of the first two seasons of Monster, the series was again renewed for a third season, Monster: The Ed Gein Story which was released on October 3rd, 2025. It stars Charlie Hunnam as murderer and graverobber Ed Gein. Tune in again next week for the third installment of Spooky Season Series Selection for analysis of Monster: The Ed Gein Story, along with more productions by Ryan Murphy.  

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is available to stream on Netflix.  

Spooky Season Series Selection Part 1 - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story

Austin Price, Editor in Chief  

Spooky season is upon us! That means it’s time to pop some popcorn, curl up under a plaid blanket, and light a pumpkin spiced candle while watching a relaxing tv show. If you’re like me, this relaxing show involves gruesome crimes, obscene murders, and intense trials. As a spooky season enthusiast and true crime nerd, I understand the excitement of diving into a new series focused on some of the most horrific events imaginable. And so, to feed both my October loving soul, and satisfy my true crime craving, I am creating the ultimate list of TV series perfect for spooky season, all based on real events and true stories. Come with me as I provide you with the best content to consume as the leaves change and the costumes are purchased. Each installment of this series will highlight one of my favorite TV series that fits the macabre and mystery of spooky season. First up, we have Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.  

On September 21st, 2022, Netflix, Ryan Murphy, and Ian Brennan partnered to bring an unfiltered and raw look into the disgusting and perverted nature of one of America’s most notorious serial killers, Jeffrey Dahmer. Evan Peters stars as the infamous cannibal and has received countless accolades for his performance. The show was initially conceived to be a limited series, with the first and only season planned to follow the life and crimes of Jeffrey Dahmer. However, it was later renewed for a second and third season.   

Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is one of the most visually upsetting and intense depictions of Jeffrey Dahmer’s life. I have listened to countless podcasts and read tons of articles regarding his life, but I will say that Ryan Murphy brought the disturbing nature of Dahmer’s personality, and the repulsive nature of his crimes to the screen in a nightmarish way. As a lover of true crime, it takes a lot for me to actually recoil and truly be terrified by a case. However, I could not watch this series in one go, because of the realistic depictions of Dahmer’s confessions.  

Evan Peters is a genius in the titular role, and metamorphosizes into one of the most deranged and appalling serial killers in American history. His performance was recognized when Peters won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film.  Watching the TV drama gives a feeling of poison in one’s consciousness, as it carefully follows and exposes the crimes and actions of Dahmer, without holding anything back. Ryan Murphy approaches the Dahmer story without fear of repercussions and does not limit his exposure of Dahmer's life to being culturally sensitive and politically correct. While this approach has been criticized by many, I found it to be refreshing. The media is constantly monitoring and censoring aspects of true crime. While I understand this approach is done to respect the sensitivity of viewers, I’d argue that consumers deserve to truly be immersed in the hideous reality of killers to fully understand the severity of their crimes, and to fully emphasize with victims.  

Sharing the spotlight with Peters is Niecy Nash, who’s portrayal of Glenda Cleveland, Jeffrey's neighbor, resulted in the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie. Nash’s character gives an often-suppressed side of the story, as an African American woman whose concerns over Dahmer’s behavior were repeatedly ignored by police. In this narrative, Nash brings awareness to the many victims of Dahmer that were considered minorities, and that did not initially receive the same levels of commitment and respect by authorities as some of his other victims did.  

Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story includes 10 full length episodes, following the timeline of crimes committed by Dahmer, and glimpses into the ending result of his behavior and court records regarding his accusations and charges. The show immediately made its way into all forms of digital media. The season rose to the number one spot on Netflix in the first week of its release. In the second week of its release, Netflix announced that Dahmer was its ninth most popular English-language TV show of all time, with 56 million households having viewed all 10 episodes.  

Following the gigantic success of an anthological look on Dahmer’s story, Netflix announced on November 7, 2022, that it had renewed Monster as an anthology series, with two further editions based on the lives of "other monstrous figures". These figures would later be revealed to be Erik and Lyle Menendez for Season 2, and Ed Gein for Season 3. Stay tuned for upcoming installments of Spooky Season Series Selection as both of these series will be covered and included.  

Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is available to stream on Netflix. 

The Murder of Gabby Petito: An Anxious Girlfriend's Worst Nightmare

Austin Price, Editor in Chief

WARNING: This article contains graphic content with descriptions of domestic violence, domestic abuse, murder, and suicide. Please read at your own discretion.  

Gabby Petitio was an all-American, Barbie Doll of a girl. From her bleach blonde hair to her bright blue eyes, with her tanned, clear skin, and thin build, Gabby was the “it” girl. With a picture-perfect physique, always complete with her signature smile, Gabby was the girl the rest of us wish we could be like. The girl the rest of us wish we could look like. The girl the rest of us wish we could act like. However, she is the girl that the rest of us do not want to die like. Gabrielle Venora Petito died sometime between August 27th and September 1st, 2021, at the hands of her fiancé, Brian Laundrie.  

Before we continue, I’d like to make a few things clear. First, Gabby Petito was a victim of domestic violence, emotional and verbal abuse, gaslighting, intimidation, and threats, all from her fiancé, Brian Laundrie. As you read this story, please remember something. Nothing that happened to Gabby was her fault. She did not choose her fate; she did not force the outcome to be the way it was. Gabby did not control her torturous end and deserves respect and understanding as we tell her story. Gabby did not deserve to die, and both she and her family should be given dignity, compassion, and love.  

Second, Brian Laundrie killed Gabby. There are many speculations, and unhinged conspiracy theories about the cause of Gabby’s death. But before we proceed, I need you all to understand that Brian is the reason Gabby is dead. Her death was not caused by natural causes, mental illnesses, or self-inflicted pain. Her death was caused by the savage brutality of a narcissistic, predatory abuser. Brian Laundrie is guilty, and his family helped him cover up his crime. The Laundrie Family are the villains in this story and should not be admired or pitied.  

Third, despite her demise, Gabby Petito is the hero of this story. Her surviving family are also heroes, but without Gabby’s guidance, they could not honor her with the same amount of progression, education, and awareness as they are now. Gabby Petito’s family created the Gabby Petito Foundation, designed to offer support, transparency, and advocacy for domestic violence victims and their families. The family operates with active efforts to prevent Gabby’s tragic ending from happening to another young girl and deserves support and respect in their efforts.  

With all of these things in mind, I encourage you to read on. To embrace this story with an open mind, an empathetic heart, and a non-judgmental attitude. Gabby’s story is a cautionary tale for many young people in abusive relationships. Her death should not be forgotten, nor should it be ridiculed. Rather, her death deserves our curiosity, sensitivity, and compassion.  

When I initially heard Gabby’s story, the first thing I thought of was myself. Sounds selfish, I know, but as an avid consumer of true crime, I often find myself listening to stories of murder and death and thinking “Oh that could never happen to me!”. However, as I listened to Gabby’s story, an insidious pool of dread flowed through me. Gabby was just like me. I am just like Gabby. Our characteristics, attributes, passions, and responses are uncanny to an unsettling degree. My story, and life, could have ended just as easily as Gabby’s. From her passions and dreams, to her anxieties and fears, I see myself in Gabby and that is why I want to tell her story with clarity, humanity, and fearlessness.  

Gabby Petito 

Gabrielle Venora Petito was an American travel blogger and pharmacy technician from Suffolk County, New York. Known by her friends and family as simply “Gabby”, she was born and raised in Blue Point, New York. With 6 younger siblings and half-siblings, Gabby was the ringleader in sibling shenanigans and was a ray of light in the family dynamic. Her sunshine personality gave her a large group of close friends, and many cherished high school memories. However, there was a snake in the grass in Gabby’s social circle. Enter Brian Laundrie.  

Brian Laundrie 

Brian Laundrie grew up less than two miles from Gabby Petito, whom he met when he was a junior and she was a sophomore at Bayport Blue Point High School. The couple began dating in March 2019, and the relationship intensified when Gabby moved in with Brian and his parents, Chris and Roberta Laundrie. In this move, Gabby gave up many close friendships, strained the existing relationships within her family, and halted her search for higher education, by abandoning her application to Cape Fear Community College. 

Relationship Milestones  

The fast pace of Gabby and Brian’s relationship was the first of many red flags. In relocating to be with Brian and his family, Gabby moved from her beloved hometown of Suffolk County, New York, to North Port, Florida. During this time, the couple worked at a Publix, where Gabby was a pharmacy technician, and Brian worked in the grocery department. The couple held down their jobs for around a year and quit after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

As the world desperately tried to adapt to the unprecedented times and experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic, Brian and Gabby began to spend more time together. They celebrated Gabby’s 21st birthday in Nokomis Florida, and by July 2020, the couple was officially engaged. As quarantines were put into place, and cities were under lockdown, Gabby, like many of us, turned to the internet for entertainment and company. In doing so, Gabby began to discover the world of travel vlogging. Gabby drew inspiration from this lifestyle and dedicated the next few months of her life to saving up for the start-up costs of becoming a full-time travel vlogger.  

In December of 2020, Petito purchased a 2012 Ford Transit Connect van that had been converted into a camper. This vehicle eventually served as the main mode of transportation for the couple’s cross-country trips. Through the makeshift conversion from van to mobile home, the couple were ready to embark on Gabby’s new influencer lifestyle. Petito documented her life and travels on social media sites such as YouTube and Instagram, where she described her interests as "art, yoga, and veggies,”.  

When Gabby shared the news of her upcoming career and lifestyle change, her family was supportive of her creative endeavors. "She always had that creative eye," stepmother Tara Petito said. "She always enjoyed taking photos. We would go on vacation, and she had her GoPro camera. "She would take videos of us doing things. So, I think that's something that she always really enjoyed doing. So why not try to make it a career?”. Before Gabby and Brian officially began their cross-country travels, they returned to New York for Gabby’s brother TJ's high school graduation. This gathering was the last time the Petito family would see Gabby.  

Road Trip 

On July 2, 2021, the couple left Blue Point for their trip. Throughout the month of July, the couple visited Monument Rocks, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Mystic Hot Springs, and Canyonlands National Park. These trips were documented in Gabby’s only published YouTube video, titled “VAN LIFE | Beginning Our Van Life Journey.” Gabby’s YouTube channel, Nomadic Statik, is still accessible on YouTube. The singular video posted is a harrowing reminder of the tragic events to come, and the unexpectedness of future brutality.  

As the young couple continued their new nomadic lifestyle, the cracks in their relationship began to show. What had initially started as emotional abuse behind closed doors, Brian started to intensify his cruelty towards Gabby with verbal threats, physical confrontation, and manipulative tactics. Early in the relationship, Gabby’s friends expressed concern over Brian’s toxic levels of control over Gabby. Gabby dismissed the concerns of her friends, and as the saying goes, she was blinded by love.  

Gabby’s defense of Brian would ultimately lead to her demise. As we continue with the story, I want to remind everyone that Gabby’s death was not her fault. She did not deserve this treatment and certainly did not deserve to die. Brian was a monster and extinguished a beautiful soul with savagery and barbarity.  

Domestic Disturbance Incident  

On August 12th, 2021, nearly a month after the couple attended Gabby’s brothers' graduation, the veil covering Brian’s true tendencies was revealed to the public. A 911 call regarding domestic violence, which was later revealed to feature Gabby and Brian, was made when the couple was seen fighting in front of the Moonflower Community Cooperative in Moab, Utah. The caller stated that they saw a man slap a woman, after which the man and woman ran up and down the sidewalk, then the man hit the woman again before they drove off together. An additional witness stated that the couple was “talking aggressively” and claimed that Petito hit Laundrie in the arm. This witness also said that Brian seemed to be getting away from Gabby, with the intention of leaving her stranded there, while he drove away in their van. However, before the couple departed, Gabby climbed into the driver’s seat, crawled over to the passenger seat, and let Brian start to drive. Gabby’s final remark in this interaction was allegedly asking Brian “Why do you have to be so mean?”.  

As the couple drove away, officers from the Moab City Police Department (MCPD) identified the van driving erratically near the entrance to Arches National Park and conducted a traffic stop. As the officers approached the van, the entire interaction was recorded by the officer’s body camera. The interaction between the officers and the couple is worrisome and shows the disregard the authorities had for Gabby in a vulnerable situation. In the body cam footage, both Gabby and Brian are questioned by officers.  

As I watched this video, there were several key moments that signified the danger behind their relationship, and the signs of abuse and manipulation at play. In delving into the video, male privilege is utilized by Brian, in his relaxed stance and burgeoning rapport with the officers. As officers speak to Brian, a charming glamour masks his aggression, with a casual “buddy to buddy” conversation with officers.  

Brian downplays the situation in speaking to officers, claiming that Gabby was stressed and emotional. This defense uses a tired tactic of accusing women’s high emotional maturity as a catalyst for disaster and upset. Using a silver tongue of manipulation, Brian earns trust and respect from the officers, by playing towards their own personal experiences with women in their lives such as their wives, mothers, and sisters. Throughout this charming interaction between Brian and the authorities, Gabby sits in the police car, sobbing hysterically and experiencing a mental breakdown.  

The conversation Gabby has with police officers is a conversation I relate to greatly. It is a vulnerable outburst with a repeated chant of “I’m sorrys” and personal blame. Between heaving signs and hiccupped words, Gabby exhibits high levels of anxiety, shame, and fear. Body cams recorded Gabby saying the following, “Yeah, I don't know if some days, I have really bad OCD. I was just cleaning and straightening up, back in the... I was apologizing to him and saying, ‘I'm sorry that I'm so mean,’ because sometimes I have OCD and sometimes I can get really frustrated. Not like mean towards him. I just like, I just, my vibe is, I'm in a bad mood. And, I was just saying I'm sorry if I'm in a bad mood. I just... I had so much work I was doing on my computer this morning. And, I just now quit my job to travel across the country and I'm trying to start a blog. I have a blog. So I've been building my website. I've been really stressed, and he doesn't really believe that I could do any of it, so, we've just been fighting all morning, and he wouldn't let me in the car before,”.  

The responding officer noted in his report that “At no point in my investigation did Gabrielle stop crying, breathing heavily, or compose a sentence without needing to wipe away tears, wipe her nose, or rub her knees with her hands,”. The level of panic Gabby was feeling was callously ignored by officers, allowing Brian to continue his onslaught of emotional abuse.  

Once again, this is Gabby’s story, but I’d like to chime in with my own personal anecdotes. I have been diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), among other things. Some of the most common episodes of panic that come with these mental illnesses are the debilitating breakdowns that Gabby was dealing with in this situation. When I have experienced these panic attacks, your entire body and spirit are tied down by unrelenting, constant thoughts of fear, worry, restlessness, and edginess. The body and mind are no longer in control; the mental illness is.  

In these episodes, the cyclical thoughts of worry are amplified to block out logic and reason, with fear as the driving force. The overwhelming experience of a panic attack is like the physical sensation of being waterboarded, with more and more distress being added on, with no time to rest in between. All control over yourself is lost to the panic of the moment, and this lack of control adds fuel to the fire, creating a repetitive onslaught of excessive, persistent, and unrealistic thoughts. During a panic attack, the best way to support someone is to remain calm, validate their feelings, offer reassurance, guide them through breathing and grounding exercises, and most importantly, be patient with them. Unfortunately, the responding officer to the domestic dispute offered none of these tactics, and interrogated Gabby with an air of indifference with no regard to her mental crisis.  

Law enforcement is often portrayed as something to fear, rather than something to help, and the interaction between Gabby and this officer reinforces this reasoning. Rather than offer emotional support and empathy to her situation, the officer proceeded with repetitive questioning, without giving Gabby a chance to rest or properly defend herself. A confrontation with an authority figure is scary for anyone, but for someone with anxiety, it is a nightmare, sustained by the fear that something you say will be misconstrued and will hurt you more than being silent. Sadly for Gabby, this nightmare became her reality.  

As the interaction with the police came to an end, Brian had convinced the officers that he was innocent, and that things just got a little out of hand. The officers dismissed Gabby’s emotional outburst as a mental breakdown, rather than as a call for help. Neither Petito nor Laundrie wanted to press charges as a result of the incident, which was characterized by police as a mental breakdown rather than domestic violence, which would have required an arrest. The police separated the couple, arranging for Laundrie to spend a night at the Bowen Motel in Moab, and for Petito to stay in the van. This choice for physical separation showed the officers obvious favor towards Brian, by offering him a night in a nice, safe, temperature-controlled hotel room with access to food, electricity, and indoor plumbing. Meanwhile, they left Gabby, a small, young woman alone in a van in Utah for the night with no safety equipment or security procedures in place. The Moab City Police Department (MCPD) later investigated whether or not its officers handled the case in accordance with the department's policies, and its chief of police took a leave of absence during the investigation. I don’t know about you, but to me, that screams guilt. The officers did not respond to the call without bias, and chose to favor one individual over the other, without proper consideration or follow through.  

Last Reported Sighting of Gabby  

After the domestic dispute incident, the couple spent several days apart. On August 17th, just 5 days after the reported “mental breakdown”, Brian flew to Tampa, Florida, leaving Gabby in Moab, Utah. Brian’s untimely trip away from his fiancé seemed suspicious. Laundrie’s family attorney said that Brian made the trip to "obtain some items and empty and close the storage unit to save money as they contemplated extending the road trip". Brian returned on August 23 to rejoin Gabby and continue their trip.  

Gabby Petito's mother, Nichole Schmidt, claims that the last time she spoke to her daughter was on a phone call on August 25th. During this conversation, Gabby updated her mother on the trip, saying that she and Brian were on their way to Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. Gabby made no mention of the domestic dispute incident during the call and did not tell her mother about Brian's growing aggression. Gabby also made her last Instagram post on August 25th. It consisted of photos of herself taken in front of a butterfly mural outside a restaurant in Ogden, Utah.  

Two days after her final Instagram post, on August 27th, another public dispute occurred. A witness said that the afternoon of the 27th, between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., they saw Laundrie and Petito together at the Merry Piglets Tex-Mex restaurant in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Per the witness, Laundrie was "aggressive" and had an argument (apparently regarding money) with the manager, waitress, and hostess. The witness said she later saw Petito return to the restaurant, crying and apologizing for Laundrie's behavior. Restaurant staff confirmed via Instagram that the couple were indeed there.  

Later that day, another interaction between the couple was captured, signaling the very last time that Gabby Petito was seen alive. Petito and Laundrie were filmed by CCTV at a Whole Foods store in Jackson, Wyoming. They arrived at the parking lot at 2:11 p.m. and entered the store at 2:14 p.m. before exiting at 2:30 p.m. and heading back into the van. After about 20 minutes of sitting in the van, they eventually drove away and got on Highway 89, the road north to Bridger–Teton National Forest campsite at 2:56 p.m. Following this interaction, there were no known further sightings of Petito before her death.  

An Empty Block of Time  

After the couple got on Highway 89 on the afternoon of August 27th, there were no confirmed sightings of the couple, alone or separately for several days. While the couple was missing, a witness claimed to have seen their van vacant and deserted. The surrounding area was without any occupants or signs of camping near Spread Creek. This same witness claimed they had previously seen a "generic" young white man, believed to be Laundrie, driving his van slowly and "acting weird" in the same area on August 26th. From the afternoon of August 27th to the evening of August 29th, there were no sightings of Petito or Laundrie.  

On August 29th, a witness reported picking Laundrie up from an area near Colter Bay Village after seeing him hitchhiking alone. She said that Laundrie "freaked out" upon learning that they were going to Jackson Hole instead of Jackson, Wyoming, disembarking the vehicle at 6:09 p.m. near the Jackson Lake Dam less than 30 minutes and 10 mi (16 km) after being picked up. Shortly after his first hitchhiking excursion, Laundrie joined another witness in her vehicle. The second witness stated that she picked up Laundrie from the Jackson Lake Dam area at 6:20 or 6:30 p.m. on August 29, dropping him off at the entrance to the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping area. Laundrie offered gas money for the 20-minute ride but did not want to be taken further than the entrance of the campground, which was several miles from the van. According to the witness, Laundrie acted "antsy" about getting out of the vehicle as it got closer to the campsite.  

Family Secrets 

Once Laundrie returned to the van he called his mother. While the precise details of the conversation are unknown, reports say that towards the end of the phone conversation, Laundrie’s tone rapidly changed into one of intensity and anger. After this phone call, Laundrie texted his father, “Gabby’s gone” and mentioned that he may need a lawyer. On September 1st, Laundrie returned alone to his parents' North Port home in the Ford Transit Connect. On September 6th and 7th, he and his parents went camping at Fort De Soto Park in Pinellas County.  

Before we continue onto the investigation, let’s examine the peculiarities present amongst Brian and his family. It’s important to note that in most cases, when a child frantically calls their parent asking for help, the parent provides help. That’s standard familial behavior between child and guardian. So, I completely understand the “no questions asked, what do you need” mentality that Laundrie’s parents were operating under. However, after the initial agreement to help, I think the Laundrie couple took their mother and fatherly instincts too far. At the time, the Laundrie’s responded to Brian’s return and plea for help by immediately hiring a lawyer for him and laying low in their North Port home.   

Revealed later in the investigation, Brian’s parents, Christopher and Roberta Laundrie, withheld information from Gabby’s parents, and from law enforcement. At the time, the Laundrie’s responded to Brian’s return and plea for help by immediately hiring a lawyer for him and laying low in their North Port home.  Then, on September 6th and 7th, he and his parents went camping at Fort De Soto Park in Pinellas County. During this time, the Laundrie family made no effort to contact law enforcement, or Gabby Petito’s family. They continued to follow their normal routine, go on family trips, and behave in a way that seems hypocritical to the heinous crime Brian had committed.  

On September 11th, after not hearing from Petito since late August, Petito's mother filed a missing person report. Four days later, Laundrie was named a person of interest. Under the advice of his lawyer, Brian and his family stayed silent, refusing to comment or speculate on Gabby’s disappearance. While the police could not force the Laundrie family to speak, they were able to implement 24/7 surveillance of the family. Unfortunately, the surveillance team made a pretty big mistake. Police surveilled the Laundrie home and saw him leave on September 13th. On September 17th, Laundrie was reported missing by his parents, who claimed not to have seen him since September 13th. It was at this time that the police realized that they had mistaken Laundrie's mother for Laundrie himself on September 13th. Yeah, a pretty big mistake in my opinion as now no information pertaining to Brian Laundrie’s whereabouts is known. Just like Gabby, Brian has disappeared. After obtaining search warrants, police seized the Ford Transit Connect, an external hard drive, and the Laundrie family's Ford Mustang from the North Port residence.  

Gruesome Discoveries 

With both individuals of the couple now missing, search parties began to scour the area where Petito was last seen. On September 19th, human remains matching the description of Petito were found at the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping area in Wyoming, close to where the couple’s van had been parked in late August. Her identity was confirmed and an autopsy determined that the manner of death was homicide by "blunt-force injuries to the head and neck, with manual strangulation", which occurred three to four weeks before the body was found. The time between Gabby’s last sighting and the discovery of her remains lines up with the last time Brian was with her, alone in the wilderness.  

By this point, Gabby’s remains have been collected and examined but Brian still remains missing. A search for Brian begins, with public outreach from his family to news outlets, pleading him to come home. Brian’s father, Christopher led the search parties through the T. Mabry Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County, Florida, focusing on areas Brian used to frequent in the reserve and the adjacent Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park. On October 20th, Laundrie's skeletal remains and some of his belongings were found in the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park, in an area that had recently been underwater due to flooding. His remains were given to a forensic anthropologist for further examination. On November 23rd, the anthropologist concluded that Laundrie died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.  

On January 21st, 2022, the FBI revealed that Laundrie's notebook, which was found near his remains, contained an entry in which he admitted to killing Petito and deceiving people that she was still alive via text messages. He was officially blamed for Petito's death by authorities, and the investigation was closed. While the police had declared this a closed case, many loose ends were left hanging, and many family members were left with broken hearts.  

Brian’s Admission 

In June 2022, the Laundrie family's lawyer released the full notebook entry, in which Laundrie claims that he killed Petito after she had fallen into water and injured herself. Once the notebook became accessible to the public, speculations began to swarm about the supposedly closed case. As someone who has read the entire transcript, I have some of my own thoughts and speculations regarding Gabby’s final moments. But first, let’s analyze Brian’s version of events.  

To sum it up, Brian’s letter is a pathetic attempt to portray himself as the hero, and to portray Gabby as a casualty of the elements, as the weak link. The entire transcript is deeply unsettling, especially when you consider the tumultuous relationship between the two, and the lack of empathy, patience, and compassion Brian had for Gabby. The entire transcript spans 8 pages, showing a long writing process, with plenty of forethought.  

The letter begins with Brian directly addressing Gabby, as he states that he wishes they were together, and that he can’t stand to live without her. With sappy sweet nothings, and overexaggerated notions of affection, Brian intentionally starts the letter with the focus on not only Gabby, but also on himself. Considering that the first words were “Gabby, I wish I was....” it’s pretty clear that Brian believes this letter is more about boosting his ego, rather than honoring Gabby. The theme of “Gabby, I” is consistent throughout the entire epic, showing that just as in their entire relationship prior, Brian is more concerned with himself and how others perceive him, rather than Gabby, and her overall well-being.  

The letter progresses into recognition of the people Gabby left behind. Her mother, father, siblings, friends, and former coworkers. However, it’s imperative to note that once again, Brian writes with himself at the center of attention, saying that his family is also devastated by her loss, even though the Laundrie family repeatedly withheld information and allowed Brian to escape despite his status as a person of interest in Gabby’s case.  

After addressing his own family and how distressed they are by the entire ordeal, Brian gives his account of the last night of Gabby’s life. In a detailed, lengthy description of her supposed final moments, Brian paints a picture of heroism, showing how he tried to be her knight in shining armor, but that the harsh elements of wilderness and the discomfort Gabby was in, were too much for him to withstand. This incredibly detailed narrative is one that repeatedly portrays Gabby as a “damsel in distress” and as someone too weak to stand up to the climate they were experiencing, unlike her heroic lover, Brian. In his description of Gabby’s demise, Brian depicts himself as a modern-day Romeo, a starstruck lover, tormented by the realities of the world, and controlled by fate that is out of his hands. After several pages detailing the supposedly “weak and fragile” state Gabby was in, Brian writes that he killed her himself, as an act of mercy, designed to end her suffering. In reflecting on her death, Brian once again apologizes to Gabby’s family, for not protecting her from the dangers of the outdoors. He then explains he rushed home to spend time with his family, before he killed himself, and chose to take his own life because he “can’t stand to live another day without her,”.  

Brian ends the letter with a final selfish statement saying ““I have killed myself by this creek in the hopes that animals may tear me apart. That it may make some of her family happy.” This unsettling conclusion once again shows the self-pity that Brian is manifesting, showing a false sense of remorse, and a gross reflection of the couple’s abusive relationship.  

Obviously, there’s a lot to unpack from that letter of twisted love. With such cryptic writing and excessive focus on his own issues, Brian’s admission has garnered attention from mental health professionals, and relationship advocates. In the recovered notebook, Laundrie's diary entries revealed disturbing thoughts about self-harm and mania, including references to smashing holes in walls, pouring gasoline on himself, and wanting to die. Gabby's family believes that these writings and drawings indicate Brian was in the midst of a mental health crisis. Although a formal diagnosis isn't possible, some experts have theorized that Laundrie's behaviors, such as manipulation, disregard for others' rights, and control over Gabby, may be associated with traits of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) or borderline personality disorder (BPD). While mental illnesses do not excuse Brian’s horrific actions, they do provide some insight into the instability of his mind, and the breaking down of his control.  

After reading countless articles, examining court documents and transcripts, and watching several documentaries, as well as reflecting on my own mental illnesses and emotional struggles, I personally believe that Brian killed Gabby with anger, brutality, and savagery. I think that because of Gabby’s enhanced needs for affirmation and increased levels of emotional instability, Brian lost his patience and took out his own issues onto the one person he was supposed to protect. I think Brian killed Gabby with full awareness of his actions and ran to his parents for cover once he realized the severity of his crime. Based on the unacceptable and disgusting way the Laundrie family handled Gabby’s disappearance, they served as accomplices in her death. The Laundrie family offered a killer sanctuary, legal protection, and an escape plan, all to avoid the questioning of police, and the scrutiny of the public. My skepticism of Brian’s sincerity is shared by many other researchers, journalists, and crime experts. Michael Alcazar from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice believed Laundrie was "someone who doesn't want to own up to what he did" and was "trying to find justification for the actions he did".   

The life of Gabby Petitio was one of close friendships, nature appreciation, adventurous spirits, and joyous occasions. According to Gabby’s surviving family, she loved travel, art, and nature. Her family states that “Gabby was just starting her life as a vanlife travel vlogger and was so full of joy as her journey was just beginning. She created the YouTube channel, Nomadic Statik, where she posted about her travels. Her smile could fill a room, she loved movies, music, healthy food, and created amazing works of art. Gabby was a wonderful big sister, the oldest of six, they looked up to her and adored her,”.  

Gabby lived a joyful life, one that was cruelly and unfairly ripped away from her by a monster, disguised as a protective boyfriend. This devastating event highlights the horrific reality that some individuals can become perpetrators of violence against those they should cherish and safeguard. As an anxious girlfriend myself, I see the possibilities in certain situations, leading to an unfair, torturous demise of a gentle soul. While I am very fortunate to have a partner that does not maintain the same aggression and does not judge or belittle me based on my mental illnesses and emotional issues, Gabby’s story serves as a cautionary tale for women all over the world. Gabby’s death is truly an anxious girlfriend’s worst nightmare, and a terrifyingly real possibility for many.  

If you or someone you know is experiencing relationship abuse, call 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or go to thehotline.org  

For more information and resources on relationship abuse, visit https://gabbypetitofoundation.org/ 

To support Gabby Petito’s surviving family, visit: https://gabbypetitofoundation.org/make-an-impact

Pop Musical, & Juliet, Gives A Happy Ending to A Traditionally Tragic Tale

Austin Price, Editor in Chief

The Shakespeare classic, Romeo & Juliet, has long been heralded as a great love story. It spins a tale of star-crossed lovers, separated by the complicated politics of their families. As we all know, this angsty teen drama ends in the death of both lovers, showing an end to a youthful obsession with the idea of true love. Shakespeare often gave his protagonists a martyr like mentality, making his heroes the saviors of the stories, even when no one needed to be saved. Romeo & Juliet is a prime example of this narcissistic narrative, as both characters are crowned with an idea of selflessness, each willing to give their life for the other, and each willing to receive death with open arms. Despite this traditionally tragic tale of excessive commitment and complex hormones, Max Martin and Tim Headington brought reality to the classic story, accompanied by an iconic soundtrack, and embracing the diversity of “true love”. 

& Juliet, a pop musical, created by Max Martin and Tim Headington asks the question, “What would happen if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo?”. The idea of a rewritten love story, that proves that popularity is not always built on tragedy, was that of Max Martin, a Swedish music executive. Martin is an icon in the world of pop music, with over dozens of chart-toppers and 5 Grammy Awards to his name. Some of his most popular songs include Britney Spears’s “...Baby One More Time”, Bon Jovi’s “It’s My Life”, and The Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way”. 

Martin knew he wanted to fashion his songs into a musical and had a bountiful library to pull from. With an extensive catalog of over 250 songs, Martin had more than enough material to create a bombastic musical with incredible music. With the motivation to service a musical that was a great story, rather than a random collection of songs, Martin brought on Emmy Award winner and “Schitt’s Creek” writer, David West Road. Road listened to Martin’s endless catalog of work, and after identifying a recurring theme of heartbreak and young love, decided that the most famous love story, Romeo & Juliet, needed a reboot, accompanied by Martin’s genius soundtrack. 

Once Road proposed a reinvention of an iconic classic, the production team enthusiastically agreed, and began to reinvent Martin’s award winning music, to create an energetic, powerful, and progressive musical. Rather than focusing on one, devastating ending, & Juliet exhibits a variety of love stories. These progressive narratives include the reunification of long lost lovers, the acceptance of a non-binary relationship, the realities of a struggling marriage, and the beauty in self love. The play picks up just before Shakespeare’s original story ends, with Romeo dead, and Juliet by his side. However, instead of taking her own life, Juliet decides to move on, experiencing her youth with vibrancy and independence. As she embarks on this journey, Juliet is accompanied by her closest friends and greatest mentors, including the writer of her new story, Anne Hathaway, William Shakespeare’s wife. 

The show starts with Shakespeare, played by Corey Mach, announcing to his theater troupe that he has finally decided on an ending for his play, Romeo & Juliet. His cast of performers and faithful wife Anne, played by Teal Wicks, listen as Shakespeare describes the devastating and bloody end to a whirlwind love story. Needless to say, this depressing and gorey end, not unlike most of Shakespeare’s work, was met with disdain and doubt. However, Anne proposes a different ending that isn’t so tragic, but is one of hope and discovery. In an energetic rendition of The Backstreet Boys’ hit song, “I Want It That Way”, Anne convinces Shakespeare to let her rewrite the story, and to show him that true love doesn’t have to be tragic. 

With Shakespeare’s writing quill in hand, Anne creates a cast of supporters that will join Juliet, played by Rachel Simone Webb, on her journey. This ragtag group consists of May, Juliet’s best friend played by Nick Drake, Angelique, Juliet’s nurse played by Kathryn Allison, and April, Juliet’s main girlfriend embodied by Anne, Teal Wicks. With the team assembled, April/Anne leads them to a nightclub for a wild evening of dancing, drinking, and dreaming. 

At the party, the group meets Frankie, played by Mateus Leite Cardoso, a young bachelor with an overbearing father and a kingdom to his name. While Frankie is excited to befriend the group and welcomes them into his home, his father Lance, played by Paul-Jordan Jansen, is less than enthused by the group crashing a classy evening of elegance and dancing. Angelique, Juliet’s nurse, is sent to Lance as a distraction, in which a love connection starts to form, based on a past relationship. 

As the night goes on, Juliet and her friends perform renditions of pop songs including Demi Lavato’s hit single, “Confident", and Kesha’s party anthem, “Blow”. The characters rave to the music and each member experiences a new approach to the world. Anne, under the alias of April, reconnects with her youthful, rebellious self, revisiting a life she gave away in order to marry Shakespeare. May makes a connection with Frankie, quickly falling in love and belting out a fabulous rendition of Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl”. Angelique, spends a romantic night reigniting the flame of love with Lance, a long-lost lover from her teenage years. Finally, Juliet connects with herself, finding her worth as Juliet, and breaking away from the shadow of Romeo’s death. This metamorphosis showcases a strong, independent and confident woman, who does not need a relationship as her identifier. Shakespear watches Anne’s rewrites with contempt, believing that her changes are outlandish and ruining his story. In an attempt to get things back on track, Shakespeare revives Romeo, played by Michael Canu, bringing him to life with Bon Jovi’s classic rock anthem, “It’s My Life”. 

With Romeo back in the picture, Juliet worries she will be forced to be with him, and performs a powerhouse version of Kelly Clarkson’s iconic breakup song, “Since U Been Gone,”. Despite her protests, Romeo remains adamant that he and Juliet belong together. To avoid a future with Romeo, Juliet pretends she is betrothed to Frankie, who agrees with the fantasy as it appeases his father. This leaves May heartbroken and Angelique exasperated. Anne/April watches on with sadness as her husband undermines her, yet again. 

As things go from bad to worse, Shakespeare implements himself into the play, with the desire to get Romeo and Juliet back together and end the story as he initially planned. However, the reciprocation and connection of love between the characters foils his plan. May and Frankie stand up to Lance, declaring their love for one another. Lance, now blissfully reunited with Angelique accepts both of them with open arms. Juliet agrees to give her relationship with Romeo another try, after he agrees to hold off their potential marriage until they both know what they want. Everyone is finally ready for their happily ever after, except for the writers of the story, Shakespeare and Anne. 

With Juliet’s story finished, Anne expresses her pain and resentment towards Shakespeare, who frequently took her and her love for granted, as he pursued his artistic endeavors. Anne begs for Shakespeare to show her the same amount of love as he does to his work, and Shakespeare is shocked to finally understand how much Anne was struggling. Anne explains that she rewrote the ending of Romeo & Juliet to reflect what her life could’ve been without giving up her dreams and passions for Shakespeare to support his career. Humbled by her honesty and ashamed of his selfishness, Shakespeare apologizes, and reassures Anne that she is his muse, and is greater than any story he could ever write. The lovers embrace, and showcase their dedication to one another, and to their marriage, in a reprise of the song that started it all, “I Want It That Way” by the Backstreet Boys. 

As the musical comes to an end, all characters have found love, freedom, joy, and passion. Anne’s rewrites prove that love doesn’t have to be tragic, and that true love isn’t as simple as it seems. With the entire cast reunited onstage, the final number is a celebration with singing and dancing to Justin Timberlake’s song, “Can’t Stop the Feeling!”. Through her progressive revisions, Anne introduces Shakespreare to new ways of love, and Shakespeare is reminded of his original inspiration in his beloved wife.

Netflix Series, Cobra Kai, Shows the Power of Friendship

Schuyler Kropp, Staff Writer 

The show Cobra Kai is based off of the events in the movie The Karate Kid. It was made in 2018 by Josh Heald, John Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg in hopes for the Karate Kid saga to live on. The show begins thirty four years after Karate Kid. The dojo name “Cobra Kai” is taken from The Karate Kid, and there are many returning faces including John Kreese, Paul Dugan, and Terrance Silver. This show explores many different forms of relationships and how they can teach us to be better people.

Robby Keene is the main character in season one. Miguel Diaz is the main character in season two. They become friends throughout the show as you get to know the differences and similarities between Miguel and Robby and how their bond is formed. They both want the same things, but have different paths to get there. At first, they don’t like each other because Robby is jealous that Miguel starts to have a father figure to look up to. Throughout the seasons, they have their problems, but they grow up and move together towards achievable goals that bring them together. 

In one memorable event from the season two finale, Miguel ends up in a coma because Robby kicked him off a high staircase. However, later in the show Robby and Miguel fight again and resolve their conflict. Eventually, they find common ground after the fight and become best friends. They are able to unite because they both didn’t have male role models growing up. I feel like the lessons that are being taught to the viewers are that people can have conflict at first, but it is important to know and understand their side of the story. This also shows that the two people who once didn’t get along can always move on from the past, and grow into more mature people.

Another character, Tory Nichols is also similar to Johnny Lawrence. Both of them miss father figures, and resort to isolating themselves. Tory and Johnny never really got to know who they really were as they both grew up without knowing who their biological father is. Many have speculated online about rumors of Mike Barnes possibly being Tory’s father. I disagree, but I think her father could be either Dutch or an unknown man. Both Dutch and Tory had difficult lives and both ended up in juvie. That is revealed when Johnny’s buddies from high school mention that he was up in Lompoc County.

While learning under Sensei Johnny Lawrence, Miguel starts to become close to a girl named Samantha, and eventually starts a relationship with her. They find things in common and they share chemistry together as their relationship grows stronger each season. Miguel struggles in this relationship because Sam feels like she doesn’t know and understand him anymore after a few weeks. They eventually break up and Miguel gets into a short relationship with Tory Nichols to try something new in an attempt to get over Sam. Tory points out that this is unfair for her. Eventually Miguel returns to Sam when she finds an octopus necklace in the dojo and realizes that Miguel still likes her more than a friend. They get back together again because they spent some time on their own trying to find out more things about themselves but they end up realizing that they love each other romantically. This shows how willing Miguel was to communicate and understand his love for Sam from the very beginning of the show, all the way to the end. Their relationship can show us how to communicate in romantic relationships, and everyone should be able to do this in their own lives.

Throughout season one, Robby gets hired at LaRusso Auto and works there helping a character named Daniel fix and sell cars. Daniel later becomes a father figure for Robby. Both of them had demons in their past and fought them. Daniel sees the potential he had in himself and decides to help Robby use it in his life. Robby struggles against his opponents in tournaments. Robby knows the sorts of struggles that he faces are inevitable. He makes lots of mistakes throughout every season. but he wants to take responsibility to show Daniel that they are alike in many ways. Daniel learns how to trust himself throughout this father-son relationship as he helps Robby. There are times where they argue, but they eventually put their differences aside to come back together. Robby and Daniel are very much alike and they have always found ways to win in various situations.

Many people struggle with bullies in their life. Yet, in the end, it is always important to remember what you’ve been taught. Even if that is fighting for your purpose or love. I have most certainly dealt with a whole lot of bullying and I do not like it. It is because of bullying and the things I dealt with in my early life that I began to watch this show Cobra Kai. I feel like if I get better at fighting for what is right, then maybe I could pass down my knowledge as a sensei one day. While I hope that everyone lives their lives full of happy memories and experiences, they should also be ready for unfortunate events to happen. However they can overcome those difficulties by remembering to spend the most time you can with the people that you love and care for.

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Should You Go Back to School for a Master’s Degree? Key Factors to Consider

Amber Ramsey, Guest Writer

Note: The following story was written by Guest Writer, Amber Ramsey, of Learn It For Life. 

Deciding whether to pursue a master’s degree is a significant choice that can impact your career, finances, and personal life. While advanced education can open doors to better job opportunities and higher salaries, it also comes with challenges, including cost, time commitment, and the potential for uncertain returns on investment. Before enrolling in a graduate program, you need to weigh various factors to determine if it aligns with your professional and personal goals. Here are the most important aspects to consider when deciding whether to go back to school for a master’s degree.

Career Advancement Potential

One of the main reasons people pursue a master’s degree is to improve their careerprospects. Some fields, such as healthcare, education, and engineering, often require a graduate degree for higher-level positions. In other industries, while a master’s degree may not be mandatory, it can provide an edge in job applications or promotions. Before committing to a program, research whether a master’s degree is essential for your desired career path or if gaining more work experience would be just as valuable.

Financial Investment and Return

Graduate school is expensive, and tuition costs vary depending on the institution and program. Consider how you will finance your education—whether through savings, loans, employer reimbursement, or scholarships. More importantly, think about the potential return on investment. Will your expected salary increase justify the cost of tuition and the time spent in school? If the financial benefits don’t clearly outweigh the costs, it might be worth reconsidering or exploring alternative ways to gain the skills you need.

Time Commitment and Work-Life Balance

Pursuing a master’s degree requires a significant time commitment, typically ranging from one to three years. If you are currently employed, you’ll need to assess whether you can handle the additional workload of graduate studies while maintaining your job. Balancing school with personal responsibilities can also be challenging, especially for those with families or other commitments. Online or part-time programs may offer more flexibility, but they still require careful time management and dedication.

Personal Motivation and Long-Term Goals

Earning an online degree provides the flexibility to balance full-time work with academic advancement, making it an excellent option for busy professionals. By earning a master’s degree in health administration, for instance, you can deepen your understanding of the healthcare industry and develop the leadership skills necessary to guide organizations through complex challenges. Schools with accreditation in online MHA programs allow you to study on your own schedule, ensuring that career responsibilities and personal commitments remain manageable while pursuing higher education.

Passion and Interest in the Field

Beyond career advancement, a genuine interest in the subject matter should be a major factor in your decision. If you’re passionate about learning and expanding your expertise in a specific area, pursuing a master’s degree can be a fulfilling experience. However, if you’re considering graduate school simply because you’re unsure of your next step or feel pressured by external expectations, you might want to explore other options before making a commitment.

Job Market and Industry Trends

The relevance of a master’s degree depends largely on industry trends and job market demands. In some fields, employers highly value specialized knowledge and advanced degrees, while in others, experience and networking play a more significant role. Research job postings and industry forecasts to determine whether a master’s degree will truly enhance your employability. If your field is rapidly evolving, you may also want to consider whether alternative credentials, such as certifications or short-term training programs, could offer similar benefits.

Alternative Paths to Career Growth

A master’s degree is not the only way to advance in your career. Gaining relevant work experience, earning professional certifications, or developing in-demand skills through online courses or workshops can sometimes provide similar or better opportunities. If your goal is career growth, explore all available options before committing to a graduate program. Some industries value hands-on experience more than additional degrees, so it’s essential to determine what will be most beneficial in your specific field.

Earning a master’s degree can be a powerful step toward career growth, higher earnings, and personal fulfillment. However, it’s not a decision to take lightly. Evaluating factors such as career impact, financial costs, time commitment, industry relevance, and personal motivation will help you determine whether graduate school is the right choice for you. By carefully considering these aspects, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your goals and sets you up for success.

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