North Carolina Teen’s Family Says They, Not Police, Found His Body After Disappearance
NORTH CAROLINA — The grieving mother of 18-year-old Giovanni Pelletier says her family, not law enforcement, made the heartbreaking discovery of his body after he went missing earlier this month, pushing back against what she calls damaging online rumors.
Bridgette Pelletier revealed in an emotional Facebook post that her son was found “after a desperate search by OUR FAMILY ALONE”, not by the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office or any other agency, according to Hindustan Times.
Family Counters Online Rumors
The discovery was made on Saturday, August 9, when a decomposing body was located near the area where Giovanni had last been seen. His family later confirmed it was him.
In her post, Bridgette wrote:
“I am living every parent’s worst nightmare, trying to find the strength to give him the goodbye he deserves. We ask that you please respect our privacy at this time as we try to navigate this for his four younger siblings.”
She also issued a plea for people to “stop spreading lies” about who found her son, writing:
“THE POLICE DIDN’T FIND MY BABY. THE INVESTIGATORS DIDN’T FIND MY BABY. THE DOGS DIDN’T. THE HELICOPTERS DIDN’T. WE FOUND MY BABY. AND I WILL NEVER EVER BE THE SAME.”
Her cousin, Morgan Hull, echoed the statement on Facebook, saying the family’s “own hands and shattered hearts” were responsible for bringing Giovanni home, not investigators.
Discovery in Retention Pond
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Department confirmed a family member searching for Giovanni spotted what appeared to be a body in a retention pond at the southbound off-ramp of Interstate 75 and SR 70. Detectives believe the body had been submerged before surfacing.
The News & Observer reported that a preliminary autopsy found no signs of foul play or trauma. A full autopsy is still pending.
The Disappearance
Giovanni disappeared on August 1 while vacationing in Englewood, Florida. While officials initially said he was traveling with his cousins, his family insists he left Nims, Florida, with three men he had never met in person — individuals who claimed to be related to his father.
According to his relatives, the men later told authorities that Giovanni began acting erratically and left their vehicle. The family disputes this account. Before disappearing, Giovanni sent his mother a chilling text that read, “Help me mom” — the last communication she received from him.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances leading to Giovanni’s death. His family remains adamant about uncovering the truth, vowing to keep his story in the public eye despite their grief.
Morgan Hull urged the public to show compassion:
“We just lost a beautiful, kind soul, and our pain is unbearable. While we’re trying to breathe through the worst moment of our lives, some of y’all are worried about gossip, lies, and things that don’t matter. Have some humanity. Have some respect.”
The Saluda Standard-Sentinel will continue to follow developments in this case as investigators work to determine exactly what happened in Giovanni Pelletier’s final hours.
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