UPDATE: Authorities have confirmed that Giovanni Pelletier, an 18-year-old from North Carolina, has been found dead following a chilling “help me” text sent during a family vacation in Florida. His body was discovered on August 8, 2023, in an artificial pond near where his belongings were located, raising urgent questions about the circumstances of his disappearance.
Pelletier was vacationing with his mother and her fiancé in Englewood, Florida, when he went missing on August 1. According to reports, he had been behaving erratically after smoking marijuana with his cousins hours before he vanished. His aunt, Desiree Pelletier, described his actions as uncharacteristic and alarming.
Just 25 minutes into a drive with his cousins, Pelletier sent a text message saying, “Help me.” His mother only saw the message the following morning and immediately contacted local authorities when she couldn’t reach him. The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office reported that his cousins said Pelletier exited their vehicle while they were on I-75 near SR-70.
Search efforts intensified, but it wasn’t until a family member discovered his body in a retention pond in Bradenton, Florida, that the search came to a tragic conclusion. Forensic testing confirmed the identity of the body through dental records, as the condition of the body necessitated additional verification.
Detectives indicated that the autopsy conducted by the District 12 Medical Examiner’s Office found no indications of foul play or trauma. They believe the body had been submerged for several days before it surfaced. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office stated, “Detectives are actively pursuing multiple leads to learn more about the circumstances surrounding Pelletier’s death.”
Pelletier’s family described him on a GoFundMe page as “smart, kind and full of life,” underscoring the profound loss felt by those who knew him. The investigation is ongoing, and updates are expected as authorities gather more information.
This shocking incident highlights the urgent need for awareness surrounding mental health issues, especially in young adults. As the community mourns the loss of a bright young life, friends and family are left searching for answers in the wake of this tragedy.
Stay tuned for further developments on this heartbreaking story.
