In a sad, strange turn of events, Gabby Petito appears in a tribute video to another national tragedy. In 2014, the singer-songwriter Deb Henson from Long Island, New York, released a song and accompanying video called “Irreplaceable,” says People. The song is a response to the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, in which a 20-year-old man killed 20 students and six adults. The horrific events at Sandy Hook are one of the nation’s most deadly school shootings, writes Britannica.
Henson’s song is a plea to stop gun violence. The song’s music video features then-14-year-old Petito holding a sign that reads “I’m Irreplaceable.” Now, the video has a chilling new message about domestic abuse. Petito’s step brothers and other children also appear in the video. The kids hold up signs with messages such as “Protect us,” “I deserve a future,” and “No more violence against kids.” Deb Henson now looks back at the video with added layers of meaning and tragedy. She told People, “Watching the video now truly breaks my heart, and has had a profound effect on me. It’s hard to comprehend how and why [she died].” She added, “I haven’t stopped thinking about Gabby since I found out [she had been killed].”
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.
