UPDATE: In a tragic turn of events, 18-year-old Giovanni Pelletier has been found dead in a pond in Florida, nearly a week after he went missing during a family vacation. His body was discovered on August 8, following an extensive search that began when his mother, Bridgette Pelletier, received a chilling text message stating, “Mom help,” at around 6:20 AM on August 1.
The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office reported that a family member found Giovanni’s body partially submerged at approximately 3:15 PM on August 8. Authorities believe the body had been in the water for several days before it surfaced, prompting an urgent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
The medical examiner has confirmed the identity of the deceased through dental records, but the cause of death remains undetermined as toxicology results are pending, which may take several weeks. The office has indicated that there are currently no signs of foul play or trauma.
“This is an ongoing death investigation, and case updates will be released at the appropriate time,”
stated a police spokesperson. Detectives are actively pursuing multiple leads to uncover more about Giovanni’s final moments.
Giovanni was reportedly visiting Florida with his mother, her fiancé, and his four siblings when he went missing. During the vacation, he allegedly smoked marijuana with cousins, raising further questions about the circumstances of his disappearance.
The extensive search involved multiple agencies, including live-scent and cadaver K9 units, aviation units, and drones, demonstrating the urgency and concern surrounding his case. As the community grapples with this tragic loss, a GoFundMe page set up by his family has exceeded its initial target of $15,000, raising over $23,606 to support search efforts and reward information leading to answers.
The initial message on the GoFundMe page expressed the family’s devastation:
“Giovanni is smart, kind, and full of life. He didn’t deserve this. Our family is devastated, terrified, and doing everything in our power to bring him home.”
As this story develops, the community and authorities continue to seek clarity and justice for Giovanni Pelletier. Stay tuned for further updates on this heartbreaking case.