North Carolina Teen Found Dead After Disturbing ‘Help Me’ Text
URGENT UPDATE: A North Carolina teenager, Giovanni Pelletier, has been found dead just one week after sending a chilling text message saying, “Help me.” The 18-year-old was reported missing on August 1 during a family vacation in Englewood, Florida. His body was discovered on August 8, in a retention pond near where his belongings were located.
Pelletier had been traveling with his mother and her fiancé to visit relatives when he vanished. His aunt, Desiree Pelletier, stated he displayed erratic behavior after smoking marijuana with cousins after midnight on the day of his disappearance, which was unusual for him. Just 25 minutes into a planned drive to their home in Mims, Florida, his mother received the distressing text. However, she did not see it until the following morning.
After realizing she could not reach him, his mother contacted local authorities, prompting a search. According to reports from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Pelletier’s cousins indicated he had exited their vehicle on I-75 near SR-70 shortly before he went missing.
On August 8, a family member discovered Pelletier’s body in an artificial pond in Bradenton, Florida, close to where his backpack and phone were found. The sheriff’s office confirmed identification through dental records, stating that extensive forensic testing was necessary due to the condition of the body.
An autopsy conducted by the District 12 Medical Examiner’s Office found no indications of foul play or trauma. Officials believe Pelletier had been in the water for several days before his body surfaced.
Detectives are pursuing multiple leads to uncover the circumstances surrounding this tragic event. The family has set up a GoFundMe page to honor Pelletier, describing him as “smart, kind, and full of life.”
As investigations continue, the community mourns the loss of a young life cut short under mysterious circumstances. Authorities urge anyone with information to come forward as they work to piece together the events leading up to this heartbreaking situation.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
