Body of missing teen found after sending heartbreaking two-word message to mom days before
Liv Bridge
Featured Image Credit: GoFundMe
A body tragically believed to be a missing teen has been found after he sent a heartbreaking message to his mom.
Giovanni Pelletier from North Carolina went missing in Englewood, Florida on Friday (August 1) shortly after traveling to the state with his family.
While on vacation with his mom and siblings, Giovanni was reportedly picked up by three cousins at around 1.30am to visit other family members in Brevard County, more than three hours away.
However, while on the journey, his relatives claimed the 18-year-old started acting erratically, prompting them to pull over to the side of the road where he then reportedly pulled out a knife, according to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office as per the New York Post.
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The teen's grandfather reportedly told his mom Bridgette in a voicemail that there had been an altercation between the youngsters and that Giovanni had been left on the side of the road in Bradenton in Manatee County, reports PEOPLE.
Tragically, a body of what appeared to be a young male was later found on Friday (August 8) a week after his disappearance.
The remains were found in a retention pond off of I-75 and State Road 70, near where the teen was last seen.
While his family have confirmed his death, police say the authorities have 'preliminarily determined' the body as Giovanni.
Now, his grief-stricken mom has revealed the heartbreaking last message she received from her son.
Bridgette said just 30 minutes into his journey, he texted her while she was asleep: "Mom help."
The mom, who had been studying for an upcoming pharmacy board exam, also reportedly woke up to missed calls and FaceTime attempts from her son.
Giovanni's aunt, Desiree Pelletier, has since launched a GoFundMe to help raise funds to help his family, writing that he went 'missing under deeply troubling and suspicious circumstances'.
"Giovanni is smart, kind, and full of life. He didn’t deserve this," the aunt continued, stating the family was left 'devastated' and 'terrified' after learning of his sudden disappearance.
Since the body has been found, police added to ABC 11 that officers do not expect any foul play, having found no immediate evidence at the scene.
Giovanni's backpack and phone were also found by the side of the road on August 1.
An autopsy is now due to determine the teen's cause of death while police continue to investigate the incident.
In her social media post, Bridgette wrote: "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.
"We ask that you please respect our privacy at this time as we try to navigate this for his 4 younger siblings."
The mom reportedly raised that she had been worried about her son going alone to connect with his paternal relatives but wanted to support him on his mission.
She further claimed that one of the relatives who picked Giovanni up said the group had been smoking marijuana, and that Giovanni was disturbed by it.
Bridgette also said the behavior of her son seemed uncharacteristic and believes he might have felt threatened before running away.