help.” For Bridgette Pelletier,

those two words ignited every parent’s worst nightmare. Her 18-year-old son, Giovanni, had vanished in Bradenton, Florida—just 30 minutes after meeting his paternal cousins and grandfather for the first time.

Giovanni Pelletier missing

What Happened to Giovanni Pelletier?
Giovanni traveled from North Carolina to Florida in late July with his mother to support a relative undergoing chemotherapy. Eager to connect with his African American roots—his mother is of Italian and Puerto Rican descent—he joined a family chat group and arranged a late-night meetup. His stepfather, Jeremy Brown, watched as three cousins picked up Giovanni at their Englewood Airbnb.

Within minutes, the reunion turned ominous. Giovanni texted his mother “Mom help” and made frantic calls to her, his aunt, and grandfather—all missed as Bridgette slept. His paternal grandfather later claimed in a voicemail that Giovanni argued with cousins and was abandoned roadside. When Bridgette tracked his phone via GPS, she found only his backpack. “He’s inseparable from his phone—that’s a red flag,” she told People Magazine (August 2025).

How Are Authorities Responding to the Disappearance?

Bradenton Police Department confirmed an active investigation but released no new leads. Cousins allege Giovanni panicked after smoking marijuana, brandished a knife, then fled when disarmed. Bridgette disputes this, citing Giovanni’s non-confrontational nature and offering a $10,000 reward for information.

Critics highlight Florida’s mixed record in missing-persons cases, particularly among young people of color. Local advocacy groups urge faster mobilization of K-9 units and public alerts. As of publication, no surveillance footage or witnesses have corroborated the cousins’ account.

Key developments:

Digital Trail: Phone records show Giovanni’s last location near 63rd Avenue East in Bradenton.
Family Advocacy: Bridgette returned to Florida, coordinating search parties and press conferences.
Community Response: Volunteers distributed 5,000 flyers across Sarasota and Manatee counties.
Must Know