A Fox News host has sparked outrage after discussing the Gabby Petito case, specifically calling it a "huge distraction" from politics.
A clip of Raymond Arroyo, who is often a contributor on the Murdoch-owned outlet Fox News, was uploaded to TikTok where he made divisive comments about Petito's case.
Watch the clip below:
In the clip, Arroyo says: "With all that's happening in the world, what's happening in our southern border and abroad and home, I think this entire story is a huge distraction, forgive me."
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"This is like a Lifetime movie, an ongoing mini-series for America but I think it's basically a local story, it's a missing person. I hope they get to the bottom of it, but I do worry we're spending way too much time on this case," he continues.
Arroyo's comments came after the FBI announced they found a body in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park, who they believe is Petito but confirmation has not yet been made.
Social media users were angered by his comments, with one person writing on Twitter:
"@RaymondArroyo is everything wrong with this country. Individual lives matter. All lives matter. To say the death of someone is a distraction shows a classless lack of empathy. Utterly disgusting!"
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Another said: "Raymond Arroyo, I am so sorry you are being distracted by the missing of a young woman who might not come back alive. I hope the families [sic] fear and dread does not bother you too much. All other news is being reported constantly. Gabby Petito is important also."
Though many were outraged by Arroyo's comments, others were supportive of his intention, if not the way he said it.
Arroyo doubled-down on his views on Twitter: "Though Gabby Petito's case has gone a lot of attention, it is important to remember that there are many more missing children and adults who get little coverage."
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One person responded, in support: "Gabby Petito is the latest manifestation of the Missing White Woman syndrome," referring to the coverage a disappearance gets when it's a white woman, when compared to missing people of colour.
MSNBC host Joy Reid made a similar comment: “The way this story captivated the nation has many wondering, why not the same media attention when people of colour go missing?"
"Well, the answer actually has a name: Missing White Woman Syndrome - the term coined by the late and great Gwen Ifill to describe the media and public fascination with missing White women like Laci Peterson or Natalee Holloway, while ignoring cases involving people of colour.”
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The disappearance of the 22-year-old blogger has captured national and international attention, particularly on platforms like Twitter and TikTok, where crime aficionados are trying to solve the case and find clues.
Petito's fiancé Brian Laundrie, who came back to their home in Florida without her over two weeks ago, is currently a person of interest in the case.
However, his parents have reported him missing, claiming that they have not seen him for over a week.
Featured Image Credit: YouTube - Gabby PetitoTopics: True Crime, Life, TikTok, News