Julian Dorey Podcast #353

Guest: Brian Entin

Episode Title: Brian Entin on Charlie Kirk's Missing Roommate, Gabby Petito & Masked MONSTER

Date: November 7, 2025

Episode Overview

In this gripping episode, Julian Dorey sits down with investigative journalist Brian Entin to dive deep into three of America’s most scrutinized true crime cases: the murder of Gabby Petito, the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the aftermath, and the chilling Idaho murders committed by Bryan Kohberger. Entin shares raw insights from his years in the field, reflecting on the challenging balance between journalistic integrity, public responsibility, and personal toll. The conversation also critiques the role of media, social frenzy, and true crime “tourists” in shaping narratives and investigations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Brian Entin’s Background and Motivation

• Early Days in Journalism: Entin describes his upbringing in Florida, fascination with local Miami news, and his long, under-the-radar climb in journalism before becoming nationally known after the Gabby Petito case.
  • “Everybody thought that was my first story… I've actually been working my ass off for 10 years.” (01:48)
• On-the-Ground Grit: He recounts reporting throughout COVID as flights and hotels sat empty, underscoring his drive to witness stories firsthand, not just from a studio.

2. Reporting the Gabby Petito Case

The Unprecedented Spotlight

• Gabby Petito’s disappearance and murder became a media phenomenon—catalyzed by her and Brian Laundrie’s social media presence.
  • "At the end of Gabby Petito, we didn't know that he was abusive or even that there was trouble in their relationship. We had no idea... Everything changed in that moment.” (00:00, 51:17)
• Becoming the ‘Guy on the Story’: Entin details how he gained early traction by being the first reporter on-site and creatively renting a neighbor’s lawn to maintain close proximity to the Laundrie residence.
  • “So I rented the lawn from the neighbor… I want to say maybe like $300 a week. I ended up being there for like six weeks.” (08:18)
  • “We were right basically in there. We would go right to the line of their yard and just... stay there.” (09:36)

Ethics, Obsession, and Crossing the Line

• The stress of high-stakes reporting and the ethical lines:
  • Following the Laundries—“In the moment, no one knew where Gabby was, then Brian Laundrie went missing out of the house... I remember telling Luis, my photographer, 'What is the boundary here for us? I don't want to be paparazzi.'” (16:48)
• Coordination with Law Enforcement:
  • When Entin spotted FBI surveillance equipment hidden for the investigation, he opted not to report it, striving not to impede the case but documenting it for later.
  • “I told [police] at one point that I had seen that and... I would never put this out.” (27:20)

Social Media, True Crime Culture, & Media Ethics

• Media Firestorm after Body Cam Video:

  • The Moab bodycam revealed the dark reality behind the influencer façade, galvanizing public and social media obsession.
  • “When that video came out… it was like, oh my God, this is a whole different story.” (51:17)
  • True crime fans and “crime tourists” descended on the scene, sometimes disrupting the investigation and reporting.
    • “There were true crime tourists ... with bullhorns ... it got to be kind of crazy … too much.” (55:08)

• Misinformation & Armchair Detectives:

  • Entin describes the frustration of seeing clips of his own news segments twisted for clickbait conspiracies.
    • “Their theories are so wrong ... I know the case ... but I don't think they care—it's just for clicks.” (57:18)

Emotional Toll & Human Connection

• Tight bonds formed with victims’ families:
  • “It’s weird, too, because I've become close to her parents now and, you know, consider them friends now. It's just a weird sort of ... circle.” (38:10)
• The challenge of remaining objective while empathizing with victims.
  • “You’re human first, and you kind of have to take a step back.” (39:15)
• On the lasting impact and trauma on affected families—something forgotten once headlines fade.
  • “You forget because they are so strong in public… but I was like, oh my God, this is still so real. This is still their daughter.” (69:39)

3. Aftermath: Coverage, Justice, and Media Responsibility

• ‘Missing White Girl Syndrome’ & Legacy:
  • Reflects on the racial and social biases driving disproportionate media coverage, leading to News Nation’s ongoing “Missing” series—highlighting less-covered missing persons cases.
    • “We focus a lot on minorities... We do a lot of old cases, too… that was born out of Gabby Petito.” (74:32)
• Personal Integrity vs Corporate Pressure:
  • The importance of making gut calls on what to report, especially when it could impact investigations or public perception.
    • “You really have to make the call. You're the one who's seeing what's happening… You can't always rely on your boss.” (31:02)

4. Charlie Kirk Assassination: State Case, Conspiracies, and More

Timeline & Chaos

• Entin arrived the evening of the shooting after an interview in New Mexico; describes the real-time unraveling of events.
  • “I was in Santa Fe, New Mexico… and she had CNN on when the video started coming up that he was killed … I was like, we gotta get to Utah.” (76:52)

Investigation Oddities & Conspiracy Theories

• The immediacy and inconsistencies of the crime scene cleanup, rumors of missing suspects, a “missing roommate,” surveillance posts, and questions about ballistic evidence.

  • “I noticed that ... backhoes and stuff [were] immediately ... They replaced the pavers and concrete in one area ... that was kinda strange they did that quickly.” (80:57)

• The “magic bullet” skepticism and autopsy confusion:

  • “A 3006 bullet from 200 yards is gonna blow the top half of someone’s body off … his head didn’t come off…” (82:45)
  • On the autopsy: “No autopsy … that’s kind of weird, right?” (101:52)

• Handling the spread of misinformation and conspiracies:

  • “Every single thing that ever happened is called a conspiracy now … That hurts, you know, hiding real conspiracies.” (88:35)

• Law Enforcement Transparency and State vs. Federal Roles

  • “It's a state case ... They’re the local guys, the cowboy hats, good guys. They do not think this is a conspiracy.” (83:37)
  • “If he goes to trial ... everything comes out.” (108:18)

5. Idaho College Murders & Bryan Kohberger

Early Reporting and the Small Town Shellshock

• Entin was among the first national reporters, arriving to a tight-lipped law enforcement and a jittery, grieving college town, with the possibility of a serial killer at large.

  • “We didn’t know if it was a neighbor, was walking around … is the killer watching you when you’re out doing your live shot?” (00:38, 122:30)

• Media’s Impact on Victims and Witnesses:

  • Entin addresses criticism about media pressure on college students and unremitting scrutiny, especially on survivors like Dylan.
    • “What they did to that girl on social media ... was insane. She's just been through hell. That girl is so… beyond strong ... and people still won't leave her alone.” (127:49, 128:04)
  • Dilemmas over reporting student parties post-tragedy:
    • “I never reported that or showed video because I knew people are going to take advantage of this…” (126:47)

Law Enforcement Skepticism & The Public’s Thirst for Information

• Police tightness with information, fueling speculation and suspicion.
  • “Police weren't talking … that’s what kind of was fueling all of this ... families were being hard on them.” (130:46, 130:52)
• The tension between satisfying public hunger for real-time updates and not interfering with ongoing investigations.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Social Media Hysteria:
  • “The true crime community… Some of them think of it almost like a video game or movie... Unless you're really there on the ground, you don't realize this is not a game. This is not entertainment.” (39:15, 00:00)
• On Journalistic Integrity:
  • “Sometimes you just don't even tell anybody for your body [photographer/producer] … let's just keep this between us for now.” (31:37)
• On Victims and Families:
  • “I've become close to her parents now and… it just takes on a whole different life.” (38:10)
• On Media’s Double-Edged Sword:
  • “There's always going to be a group of people… who just come out to say the opposite and say you're bad.” (128:57)
• On True Crime Obsession:
  • “Sometimes you'll cover a missing case... The family will give you three photos … With Petito, it was like we were handed this whole envelope—amazing YouTube videos—so people became invested.” (20:08)
• On Covering Major Crime Scenes:
  • “You have been cover one of the most brutal murder scenes that anyone had ever seen. Brian Kohberger pleaded guilty … What was your first thought on this case?” (120:44, 121:17)

Important Timestamps

• Gabby Petito Case Begins: 00:00, 08:18, 16:48
• Renting Lawn, Ethics at Play: 09:17–10:21
• Detective vs. Reporter Discussion: 26:01, 27:02
• Social Media & True Crime Culture: 51:17, 55:08–58:04
• Family Perspectives, Lasting Trauma: 38:10, 66:57, 68:45, 69:39
• Missing White Girl Syndrome & Response: 73:20–75:43
• Charlie Kirk Shooting / Utah State Case: 76:52, 80:57–84:41, 101:52–104:03
• Idaho Murders & Student Fallout: 122:30–130:44

Tone & Language

The conversation oscillates between candid, empathetic, and sometimes darkly humorous. Both Julian and Brian steer clear of sensationalism, focusing instead on nuance, the complexity of real people and communities, and the ethical weight of investigative journalism during national tragedies. Entin is forthright about his own doubts, pressures, mistakes, and learning process, lending authenticity to his recounting.

Final Reflections

Brian Entin’s frontline stories illuminate not only the haunting details of headline-grabbing crimes but also the ethical labyrinth facing modern media. His approach underlines the importance of integrity—being on the ground, making rapport with sources, reporting responsibly, and never forgetting the real human cost at the center of it all.

Memorable Call to Action:
“You've got to show up and, like, try to talk to people and beg to get in and ask hard questions. If you don't, that gives everybody else something to talk about, too.” (120:08)