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Manatee County, FL — The body of 18-year-old Giovanni Pelletier, who disappeared while on a family vacation in Florida, has been found, his family confirmed.

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According to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Giovanni’s body was discovered Friday near where his backpack had been located, in a retention pond at the southbound off-ramp of Interstate 75 and State Road 70 in Manatee County, near Bradenton. The location had been searched by authorities on the first day of search efforts.

The discovery was ultimately made not by law enforcement, but by a private investigation group hired by the Pelletier family.

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Authorities said there was no immediate physical evidence of foul play, but a toxicology report is pending and could take up to six months to complete.

Despite the official statements, law enforcement experts have raised concerns about inconsistencies in accounts given by Giovanni’s cousins, who described him as displaying erratic behavior prior to his disappearance.

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Retired special agent Frank Brostrom pointed out contradictions in their statements. “Adding that he pulled a knife on us and then he’s the one texting ‘help, I need help,’ that story’s not going to stand up,” Brostrom said. “Their stories are in cement, and the investigators are going to work around those stories and compare it to the evidence, basic investigations one on one.”

The investigation into Giovanni Pelletier’s death remains ongoing.

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