Giovani Pelletier: Autopsy Reveals Cause Of Teen’s Death

Recently, more information arrived about the case of Giovani Pelletier. The case was treated as a true crime investigation after the 18-year-old sent his mom in Florida a text message asking for help. After his body was found in a retention pond, police investigated. Now, a newly published autopsy report gives more details about his death.

The Initial Details

On the Side Bar episode of the Law&Crime Network, host Jesse Weber looked into the news with investigator Chris McDonough. Their talk was mostly about the official report that finally put an end to the mystery.

Weber summarized the story, reminding viewers that Pelletier was last seen on a traffic camera after running away from a car. “The footage is not that clear, and they say it shows him walking along the road and at one point a truck is almost hitting him,” Weber said. His body was discovered a week later in a Florida retention pond, beyond recognition because of decomposition.

The cause of death indicated drowning and an accidental demise. Citing the medical examiner’s report, Weber explained more. The report said, “The advanced decomposition may obscure some of the autopsy findings, but no signs of significant trauma before death were found.”

It also claimed that video evidence “corroborates the conclusion that no one else was involved in his death.” The autopsy also showed that Pelletier had a very rare congenital heart defect that could cause sudden death if the person is doing strenuous exercise. However, drowning was decided to be the main reason of death.

A Complex Investigation 

McDonough called this kind of investigation complex and mentioned advanced decomposition. Additionally, he talked about animal activity, including an alligator eating parts of the body, as factors that made it difficult for forensic analysis.

Next, Weber questioned whether true crime viewers can be sure of the accidental conclusion, McDonough went through the investigative process explaining. “You really don’t want to, you know, decide before you diagnose,” he said. Plus, he pointed out that investigators have to combine all pieces of evidence.

Just A Tragic Accident

Notably, he also said that even though a case may be officially closed, “if something else comes up that shows… there was a specific intent to hurt this kid, then that case could be reopened tomorrow.”

At this point, the police report is talking about a tragic accident. Initially, it was investigated as suspicious because there had been other family members involved prior to the disappearance, a knife, an argument, and the alleged use of marijuana. Some relatives had reportedly left him alone on the side of the road. 

Viewers React

Plenty of true crime enthusiasts followed the case of Giovani Pelletier. So, many folks responded in the comments section. One of them wrote, “My heart hurts for the mom. She will feel a lot of guilt for being asleep. It’s all so sad. He’s so young.”

Here are a few more responses from the discussion area:

• One of the saddest stories of 2025 …R.I.P young man.
• None of this makes sense. If the “cousins” witnessed him have a bad reaction, why not just call 911? Why leave him on the side of the road? All of this could’ve been avoided. My heart hurts for his mother.
• Weed can actually induce psychosis in some people. This is so tragic. I can’t even fathom the pain, helplessness, and desperation his mom must have felt getting a text pleading for help from your baby and later finding out they died.

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below, and come back here often for all your true crime investigation news and updates.