Giovanni Pelletier was only 18 years old — a beloved son, a smart and kind young man full of promise — when he left his North Carolina home to visit cousins in Florida. He never came back.

His family had reservations about the trip but trusted Gio to look after himself. Instead, just hours after arriving, Gio went missing. Days later, his backpack was found near a Florida highway. Then, a body believed to be his was discovered in a nearby pond.

But what happened to Gio doesn’t add up.

According to law enforcement experts, the story given by his cousins — that Gio suddenly acted erratically and pulled a knife — raises serious red flags. Especially because Gio was the one texting “Help. I need help.” before disappearing. He reached out for help. Then he vanished.

Now, as his family grieves and waits for official confirmation of the body’s identity, they are also demanding something deeper: the truth.

Every young person deserves to be safe — and every family deserves answers when something goes horribly wrong. But too often, when the story is complicated, or when the victim is a young Black man, urgency disappears and stories get buried.

We won’t let that happen to Gio.

We are calling on:
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida State Attorney’s Office to fully investigate Giovanni Pelletier’s disappearance and death — with independent oversight if necessary.

We ask for transparency, urgency, and a commitment to truth — no matter where it leads. Gio’s story matters. His life mattered. His family deserves real answers, not contradictions and silence.

This is not just about one tragic loss. It’s about whether law enforcement treats every case — and every victim — with the same seriousness. It's about justice.

Add your name if you believe Giovanni Pelletier’s death must be fully and fairly investigated.