BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Even after finding his body, no one seems to know what really happened to an 18-year-old who went missing on a Florida vacation.
On Aug. 1, Giovanni Pelletier’s family said he was on the west coast when he got a ride with two cousins he never met and a third man headed for Brevard County, but Pelletier never made it with them.
The other three people in the car said Pelletier was acting erratically and got out, so they drove to Mims without him.
Last Friday, Sheriff Wayne Ivey said those three had consistent stories and weren’t in trouble,
[VIDEO: ‘No evidence’ missing 18-year-old was in Brevard County, sheriff says]
Then, on Saturday, the family’s search party discovered the body in a Manatee County retention pond within just a half-mile of where Pelletier’s backpack and phone were found.
Pelletier’s final text asked his mom for help.
Tuesday, the family met reporters at Fox Lake Park in Titusville to address the new developments.
“I am devastated that we had to be the ones to bring Giovanni home,” cousin Morgan Hull said. “We believe every person missing deserves immediate, thorough action and resources.”
Because it took over a week, Hull said Pelletier’s body decomposed, and it will take several more weeks to identify his cause of death.
“So, if a 1-mile search would have done, thoroughly, there would have been a potential to figure out what happened to him,” she said.
Brevard County community correspondent James Sparvero asked Hull if she’s suspicious of the three who were in the car with Pelletier who Ivey said had no evidence of any wrongdoing.
“I, personally, do not know these boys, at all,” Hull began to answer. “So, I can’t comment on their character, but I do know that I would never leave someone on the side of the road,” she said. “Everyone knows something is wrong with the story. Nothing makes sense to anyone, and everyone sees a kind-hearted, young boy.”
[VIDEO: 18-year-old disappears while traveling to visit family in Brevard County]
Next, the family is asking the FBI to investigate through a Change.org petition.
The initial investigator of this story, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, offered their condolences when Community Affairs Supervisor Chris Hall wrote a new email to Sparvero.
It can be read below:
“What this family has been through is nothing short of earth-shattering. Quite literally, their world was torn apart, and they desperately want – and deserve – answers. Our hearts go out to them, and our team continues to investigate to find those answers for them. There is nothing more we can say at this time, as the investigation remains open and very active. Thank you for understanding.”
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