Body Confirmed as Missing Teen Giovanni Pelletier, Says Manatee County Sheriff

Key Information

• Victim: Giovanni Pelletier, 18 years old
• Location: Retention pond off Interstate 75, Florida
• Date Found: August 8
• Date Missing: August 1
• Investigation Status: Ongoing; no signs of foul play

BRADENTON, FL — The body discovered on August 8 in a retention pond adjacent to Interstate 75 has been confirmed as that of missing 18-year-old Giovanni Pelletier, according to a news release from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO).

Giovanni, a North Carolina resident, went missing after leaving Englewood in the early hours of August 1, intending to visit his paternal relatives in Brevard County, as reported by the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. A family friend located the partially submerged body at the edge of the retention pond around 3:15 p.m., based on information from MCSO.

Preliminary assessments indicated that the decomposed body belonged to Pelletier, with identification confirmed through dental records and further forensic testing due to the body’s condition, according to the sheriff’s office.

The cause of death remains undetermined as toxicology results could take several weeks. Investigators are pursuing multiple leads to clarify the circumstances surrounding Pelletier’s death, with MCSO indicating no signs of foul play have been detected so far.

According to Giovanni’s cousins, who picked him up around 1:30 a.m., he began to behave erratically during their drive north on I-75, ultimately exiting the vehicle and walking away near State Road 70 in Manatee County. Giovanni’s mother, Bridgette Pelletier, recounted that she was asleep when he left; upon waking after 6 a.m., she discovered missed calls and texts, including one that read, “Mom help.”

Additionally, one of his cousins attempted to contact her, revealing that Giovanni had also reached out to his sister and father for help. Later, Giovanni’s paternal grandfather left a voicemail indicating there had been an argument between the teen and his cousins, who ultimately left him on the roadside in Bradenton. Bridgette was informed that the group had smoked marijuana and that during a panic, Giovanni had cursed and brandished a knife, after which he allegedly fled once they managed to take the weapon from him, according to reports from People.

Bridgette expressed disbelief over this portrayal of her son, stating it did not align with his character. His family is now demanding answers regarding Giovanni’s disappearance and subsequent death.

“The clock is ticking. Evidence degrades, memories fade, and the trail grows colder with each passing day. We demand an immediate, thorough, and transparent investigation — with FBI involvement — to ensure justice for Giovanni and safety for our communities,” a Change.org petition from the family reads. “His life mattered. His story matters. The public must act now to demand truth, accountability, and justice.”