What Happened to Giovanni Pelletier? Florida Teen Found Dead After Mysterious Disappearance

Crime Noir
Aug 20
2 min read

The 18-year-old went missing on August 1, 2025, and his body was discovered a week afterward.

On August 1, 2025, 18-year-old Giovanni Pelletier vanished in Bradenton, Florida, near the intersection of I-75 and SR-50. A week later, his body was discovered in a nearby pond, leaving his family and community desperate for answers.

The Night Giovanni Disappeared

According to investigators, Giovanni met up with his cousins that night. Text messages reveal he hadn’t smoked marijuana in a while, but during the drive toward Brevard County, the group smoked together. His cousins later told authorities that Giovanni began “tripping.” At 1:50 a.m., Giovanni sent his mother a chilling message: “Mom, help me.” They claimed he became paranoid, said he was a demon, mentioned having a knife, and threatened to crash the car. The cousins reported that Giovanni tried opening the vehicle’s doors while it was still moving. The driver eventually pulled over, and Giovanni bolted onto Interstate 75, leaving behind his cellphone and backpack. That was the last time he was seen alive.

The Search for Giovanni Pelletier

One cousin attempted to alert their grandfather and also called Giovanni’s mother, but she did not answer at the time. Cellphone location data later confirmed the cousins made it back to Brevard County. The next morning, Giovanni’s mother was told what happened and contacted the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, officially launching the investigation.

Meanwhile, a truck driver passing through Tampa picked up Giovanni’s abandoned backpack on the roadside. When Giovanni’s mother tracked his phone, she thought he was still alive because the location kept moving. The Tampa Police Department later recovered both the backpack and phone.

Investigators Review Evidence

The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation and interviewed Giovanni’s cousins, who cooperated fully and voluntarily turned over their vehicle. Highway traffic cameras confirmed that Giovanni was seen on I-75 at 2:18 a.m. Footage showed him running down an embankment near the retention pond where his body was later found. Importantly, the video showed no one chasing him at the time. The medical examiner reported no signs of foul play or physical trauma, such as stab wounds. At this time, no charges have been filed in connection with Giovanni’s death.

Cause of Death Still Unknown

Authorities are currently awaiting the results of the toxicology report, which may provide insight into what substances were in Giovanni’s system and whether that played a role in his tragic death. Until then, many unanswered questions remain about the final moments of this young man’s life.