A week after Giovanni Pelletier disappeared, his family has announced his tragic death. According to his mother, Bridgette Pelletier, Giovanni took off on August 1, 2025, on an adventure in Florida with cousins from his dad’s side of the family whom he’d never met. Less than 30 minutes later, just before 2 a.m., he called and texted his mother for help, but she never heard from him again. Sadly, police pulled a body from a retention pond in Manatee County on August 8. Despite the body’s advanced decomposition, his mother confirmed on social media that the body belonged to Giovanni.
According to ABC 11, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office confirmed they found a decomposing body near a retention pond at the southbound off-ramp of Interstate 75 and SR 70. The body was reportedly badly decomposed, and police could not get a positive identification. They are working to determine the cause of death. Investigators did not see any immediate signs of foul play, and a complete toxicology report could take up to six months to complete.
Retired FBI Special Agent Frank Brostrom discussed potential next steps in the investigation with ABC 11.
“But now they’ve got evidence to possibly gain from his body, from the point of him getting out of the car to where his body was found, finding evidence, DNA evidence. How did he die? What’s the cause and manner of death?” Brostrom said.
Prior to the discovery, Pelletier told People that family members told her Giovanni had smoked marijuana with his cousins and began to panic. He reportedly pulled a knife on them and ran off.
“Maybe he had some kind of episode and panicked, ran out of the car, and you know, fell into the water somehow,” Brostrom said. “It just sounds very hokey that that would be the situation, but the fact that he called asking for help several times with different family members is something that they really are probably focusing on.”
He added that investigators will have to take their time determining what exactly happened and eliminating potential suspects.
“My question would be, why didn’t you call the police? Why didn’t you call the family?” Brostrom asked, per ABC 11. “How long was it before they actually talked to the family to say he’s not missing? ‘Here’s what happened.’ The timeline is going to be crucial on that.”
Pelletier shared a photo of herself with Giovanni on Facebook along with a heartbreaking message about his death.
“My son was recently found after a desperate search by OUR FAMILY ALONE, and we are still facing an active investigation into his death. I am living every parent’s worst nightmare, trying to find the strength to give him the goodbye he deserves,” she wrote. “We ask that you please respect our privacy at this time as we try to navigate this for his 4 younger siblings.”
Many people supported the mother and her family following her announcement.
“My God! I was desperately praying it was NOT true. I felt like he was my nephew. He was so lovable,” a friend commented on Facebook. “Look at that smile. And that look of yes I’m a mama’s boy. Sending prayers, love, hugs, compassion and just support your way.”
The death remains under investigation.
