The autopsy report of a North Carolina teenager, Giovanni Pelletier, 18, who was found dead in a retention pond in Manatee County, Florida, reveals that he drowned and was later scavenged by an alligator. Pelletier was last seen by his family on August 1, 2025, and his body was discovered a week later on August 8. The autopsy report was conducted by the District Twelve Medical Examiner.
Pelletier was vacationing with his family in Florida at the time of his death. A toxicology test conducted during the autopsy found no traces of alcohol or drugs in his system. His body was discovered in an area just off I-75, a location that authorities had previously searched, according to his mother, Bridgette Pelletier.
Despite the advanced decomposition of the body, authorities were able to positively identify it as Pelletier’s. At the time of discovery, he was wearing a white t-shirt, black sweatpants, and a single black sock, but no shoes. The autopsy report noted no other injuries or factors that could have contributed to his death, but did mention that the body had undergone moderate to advanced decompositional changes during the week in the Florida swamp.
Pelletier’s mother last saw him alive around 1:30 a.m. on August 1, when his cousins came to pick him up from where he was staying. The family trip was intended to connect Pelletier with his father’s side of the family. Within half an hour of leaving, Pelletier sent two texts to his mother, one of which was a plea for help. He also attempted to reach her via a phone call and a FaceTime call, and when he received no response, he texted his aunt and grandfather for assistance.
According to his cousins, Pelletier had an altercation with them in the car while they were smoking marijuana. He allegedly pulled out a knife, prompting the driver to pull over. Pelletier then exited the vehicle and ran off into the darkness. His phone was later found abandoned by the side of the road, located using GPS data.