Body Found in Retention Pond Officially Identified as Missing Teen Giovanni Pelletier
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that a body found in a retention pond near Interstate 75 and State Road 70 last week has been officially identified as 18-year-old Giovanni Pelletier.
Pelletier, a North Carolina resident visiting family in Englewood, was reported missing on August 1 after sending a text message to his mother that read “help me.” According to relatives, he had left early that morning with a cousin from his biological father’s side of the family and two of the cousin’s friends, whom he had never met in person. About 25 minutes into the trip toward Brevard County, where he planned to visit other relatives, Pelletier sent distress messages to multiple family members before reportedly acting erratically and exiting the vehicle near State Road 70 in Manatee County.
His backpack and phone were later recovered, but there were no immediate signs of his whereabouts. On August 8, a family friend discovered a partially submerged body in a retention pond during a search. Due to the condition of the remains, the medical examiner initially could not make a positive identification and required additional forensic testing. Confirmation that the body was Pelletier came on August 14.
The cause of death remains undetermined pending toxicology results, which are expected to take several weeks. Detectives say there are no signs of foul play at this time but are continuing to investigate multiple leads to determine the circumstances surrounding his death.
Pelletier’s disappearance and death have prompted his family to call for federal involvement in the case. In an online petition, they are urging the FBI to conduct a full, transparent investigation, citing concerns over how the case has been handled locally.
The investigation remains active as authorities await further forensic results.
