Manatee County, FL — The body of an 18-year-old North Carolina teen who vanished after sending his mother a haunting final message pleading for help has been found in a Florida retention pond, authorities confirmed.
Discovery Near I-75 in Florida
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office said Giovanni Pelletier was found Friday in a retention pond near Interstate 75, close to where he had traveled to visit relatives on his estranged father’s side.
Detectives have “preliminarily determined” the body to be Pelletier’s, pending further testing. An autopsy was scheduled for Sunday, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Mother: ‘Every Parent’s Worst Nightmare’
His mother, Bridgette Pelletier, said her family—not authorities—found him after a desperate search.
“My son was recently found after a desperate search by OUR FAMILY ALONE, and we are still facing an active investigation into his death,” she wrote on Facebook.
“I am living every parent’s worst nightmare, trying to find the strength to give him the goodbye he deserves.”
Plans to Meet Father’s Family Went Wrong
Giovanni had traveled to Florida intending to meet three cousins for the first time. His father, currently incarcerated, was unable to see him, his aunt Desiree Pelletier told ABC News.
However, things took a troubling turn on August 1, when the cousins picked Giovanni up for a three-hour drive to their home in Mims, Florida. About 25 minutes into the trip, he sent his mother a chilling text: “Help me.”
- He also sent similar messages to his grandfather and another aunt.
- His backpack and cellphone were later found by a truck driver on the side of I-75 the same day.
What Witnesses Told Investigators
According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, the cousins said Giovanni “began to act erratically before exiting the vehicle” on I-75 near State Road 70. Authorities have not confirmed what prompted his behavior.
Family Raises Funds for Private Investigator and Funeral
The family had initially launched a GoFundMe to hire a private investigator to aid in the search. But in an update Saturday, Bridgette Pelletier said the funds will now be used for:
- Funeral expenses
- Medical and legal costs related to his death
“We struggle to honor [Giovanni’s] memory through this unimaginable heartbreak,” she wrote.
Investigation Continues
Officials have not released further details on how Giovanni ended up in the retention pond or whether foul play is suspected. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation, with support from Florida law enforcement agencies.
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