Autopsy Confirms Drowning as Likely Cause of Death for Florida Teen Giovanni Pelletier Found in Alligator-Infested Pond

ENGLEWOOD, FL — Months after 18-year-old Giovanni Pelletier was found dead in a Florida retention pond, officials have released the results of his autopsy, revealing that the teen most likely died from drowning.

According to a report from the District 12 Medical Examiner’s Office, reviewed by PEOPLE, Giovanni’s body was in an advanced state of decomposition when recovered, which limited the ability to determine certain findings with absolute certainty.

“Although some autopsy findings may be obscured due to the advanced decomposition, there was no evidence of significant antemortem trauma,” the report stated.

The examiner added that video evidence supported the conclusion that no one else was involved in the teen’s death.

A toxicology report detected trace levels of ethanol in Giovanni’s liver tissue, but the medical examiner clarified that this was likely a byproduct of decomposition, not alcohol consumption.

Giovanni Pelletier autopsy reveals he died by drowning, body was mauled by alligator

The report also revealed a striking medical discovery — Giovanni had a rare congenital coronary artery abnormality, a condition 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,” the report continued, “in view of these findings, it is my opinion that the cause of death is most likely drowning.”

Giovanni traveled to Englewood, Florida, in late July with his mother, Bridgette Pelletier, her fiancé Jeremy Brown, and his four siblings. The family had planned the trip to visit a relative undergoing chemotherapy — but for Giovanni, it was also a chance to reconnect with his father’s side of the family, whom he had not seen since moving to North Carolina at age 4.

“He was craving the culture and the background from his dad’s side of the family, and I couldn’t give that to him,” Bridgette told PEOPLE.

In the early hours of August 1, Giovanni’s paternal cousins picked him up from the home where his family was staying. Less than 30 minutes later, Bridgette received two messages from her son — one of them read simply, “Mom help.”

He tried calling her and even attempted a FaceTime, but she was asleep studying for a pharmacy board exam. When she awoke hours later, she discovered the missed messages and a call from one of Giovanni’s cousins placed an hour after they picked him up.

Unable to reach her son, Bridgette tracked his phone to a nearby location, where she found his bag and phone abandoned — something she said he would “never have left behind.”

Conflicting Accounts from Family

A paternal family member later relayed to Bridget that Giovanni’s cousins claimed they had smoked marijuana together after picking him up, at which point Giovanni allegedly began to panic and act erratically.

One cousin reportedly said Giovanni cursed at them, produced a knife, and then ran away after they wrestled it from him.

Giovanni Pelletier autopsy reveals he died by drowning, body was mauled by alligator

Giovanni’s paternal grandfather — the relative he had reportedly been on his way to visit — left Bridget a voicemail explaining that there had been an altercation, and the cousins had left Giovanni on the side of the road in Bradenton, Manatee County.

Authorities later confirmed that Giovanni exited a moving vehicle on Interstate 75 near State Road 70 and was last seen alive near that area.

Discovery of His Body

Several days later, search crews discovered Giovanni’s body in a retention pond near where his phone last pinged. Authorities said there was no evidence of foul play, though they confirmed that an alligator had scavenged his remains.

The case sparked national attention and heartbreak across social media, with many users demanding further investigation into the events leading to Giovanni’s disappearance and death.

While the autopsy officially classifies his death as a probable drowning, questions remain among Giovanni’s family and community about the circumstances of that fateful night.