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Authorities in Florida have concluded that a North Carolina man’s death in August was due to accidental drowning. The deceased, identified as Giovanni Pelletier, was discovered in a pond, and the Manatee County Medical Examiner has reported that his body bore marks indicative of alligator scavenging.
According to WWSB, video evidence showed that Pelletier was by himself in the vicinity where his body was eventually located on August 8. Pelletier, 18, had been on vacation with his mother’s side of the family in Englewood and had intended to meet more relatives when the incident occurred.
Reports indicate that Pelletier was last seen in Mims before he disappeared near State Road 70 in Manatee County. His cousins noted that he exhibited unusual behavior during the car ride and abruptly left the vehicle.
In a concerning turn, about 20 minutes into the drive, Pelletier texted his mother a plea for help, stating, “Mom help.” Similar distressing messages were reportedly sent to other family members, highlighting his apparent state of distress.
However, Pelletier reportedly sent his mother a text reading, “Mom help,” about 20 minutes into the car ride. He allegedly sent similar messages to other family members.
Before a family friend found his body, Pelletier’s backpack and cellphone were found near his last spotted location on August 1, according to FOX 13.
Detectives believe Pelletier’s body had been in the retention pond for days before it floated to the surface.
According to People Magazine, trace amounts of ethanol were found in Pelletier’s liver tissue — but the medical examiner said it was “consistent with decomposition.”
The autopsy report also stated that he had an “extremely rare congenital coronary artery abnormality” that is “disproportionately associated with heart failure or sudden cardiac death, particularly during physical exertion.”
“Although the contributions of possible toxicologic substances not found during testing, and the coronary artery abnormality cannot be completely excluded, in view of these findings, it is my opinion that the cause of death is most likely drowning,” officials concluded.
Early on, authorities said they did not suspect foul play in Pelletier’s death. The medical examiner used dental records to identify Pelletier.
No arrests have been made.