MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — The family of a North Carolina teen who was found dead after going missing while on vacation in Florida is calling on the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to get involved in the case.

According to the family, 18-year-old Giovanni Pelletier’s body was found by his mother’s best friend, who also lives in North Carolina.

He happened to be in Florida to support her, because her mother recently had a stroke, Morgan Hall, Pelletier’s cousin, said.

Hall is serving as family representative and told ABC News that the mother’s friend joined the search and was “devastated” when he made the discovery.

The family has started an online petition asking the FBI to investigate because of what they call a lack of urgency displayed by local law enforcement. At last check, the petition had thousands of signatures.

Hall said there were no law enforcement personnel out searching when the body was found.

Authorities in Manatee County, Florida, are investigating Pelletier’s death. He was found about a half-mile from where his backpack and phone were left. The family said Tuesday that they believe that if the search had been done more carefully at first, they might have found him sooner.

His family said Pelletier was with his cousins when he disappeared, and that he was a strong swimmer. He texted his mom ‘help,’ before disappearing, the family previously revealed.

The family has hired an attorney to help with the case.

An initial autopsy showed no signs of trauma or foul play. The cause and manner of death are still pending toxicology results and further investigation. The Medical Examiner has not yet confirmed the body’s identity because of advanced decomposition. More forensic tests are needed, the office said.

Detectives said they believe the body was in the pond for several days before it floated to the surface.

Pelletier was a recent graduate of Fuquay-Varina High School. His mother, Bridgette Pelletier, said in a social media post that she was “living every parent’s worst nightmare, trying to find the strength to give him the goodbye he deserves.”

It’s still unclear when Pelletier’s body will be returned to North Carolina for services.