Latest news with #Bridgette
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Body found in search for teen who vanished after sending chilling text, mum says
A frantic search for Giovanni lasted several days with a multitude of agencies involved in the search. Officers were assisted by live-scent and cadaver K9s, Aviation units and drones Police have reportedly found a body in the search for missing 18-year-old Giovanni Pelletier following a week-long search for the teen, his family have confirmed. Giovanni vanished on Friday, August 1 while visiting Florida with his mother, Bridgette Pelletier, her fiancé, and his four sibling Bridgette, 34, told People that she saw chilling text messages when she woke up at around 6:20am, which read "Mom help". A frantic search for Giovanni lasted several days with the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office explaining in a statement how a multitude of agencies were involved in the search. Officers were assisted by live-scent and cadaver K9s, Aviation units and drones. It comes after reports of a dad's desperate phone call moments before explosion kills him and his daughters. But, in a heartbreaking update from his mum, it has been confirmed his body has now been found. Bridgette said she is "living every parent's worst nightmare, trying to find the strength to give him the goodbye he deserves." A GoFundMe page was set up by his family raise money for a reward and resources for the search. It has a target of $15,000 and has already reached $23,606 in donations. The initial message on the page read: "Giovanni is smart, kind, and full of life. He didn't deserve this. Our family is devastated, terrified, and doing everything in our power to bring him home." The most recent update on the GoFundMe page was shared yesterday by his mum gave a heartbreaking update on the search. Bridgette's message reads: "My son was recently found after a desperate search by our family alone, and we are still facing an active investigation into his death. I am living every parent's worst nightmare, trying to find the strength to give him the goodbye he deserves. Any funds raised now will provide crucial support to cover funeral, medical, and legal costs as we struggle to honour his memory through this unimaginable heartbreak."
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Phone call costs Aussie $45,000 as more targeted in duplicitous new scam: 'Very alarming'
Australians are being urged to avoid getting caught up in a relatively new scam that's cost some upwards of $45,000. Bridgette was confused when she fired up her computer earlier this year to see the screen flashing red and yellow, advising she had been "hacked". The screen urged the 74-year-old Melbourne woman to call a fake Microsoft helpline where she connected with a "very pleasant man" who told her that her bank accounts had also been compromised. The pensioner alleged she was told do one thing to secure her accounts and get her computer back on track. "He asked me to put my credit card, or actually all my cards, in an envelope with 'Peter' on the outside, and put it in my letterbox," Bridgette told A Current Affair. "It was very alarming." RELATED Scam trend exposed as most likely time and day to be targeted revealed for millions ANZ hikes home loan interest rates in 'surprise' move ahead of RBA cash rate meeting $65,000 property warning as Aussies set to flood market She told police the alleged scammers said they would come and collect the cards, and she would be issued new ones the following day. The letter containing her cards was picked up, and Victoria Police said they were used at a store in Sunshine in the city's west, where $30,000 was spent on jewellery. "I am a pensioner and it takes a long time to save money over the years," she said. Just three days later, a 73-year-old man was also targeted in the exact same type of said the man received a call from someone claiming to be from his bank and directed him to put all his cards into an envelope and place it into his letterbox. He is now $45,000 out of pocket. The man's card was used to withdraw cash from ATMs across three different suburbs and used at the same store as Bridgette's, according to Victoria Police. Victoria Police Detective Senior Constable Jack Aldersea hadn't seen this scheme before. He said the scammers were honing in on what they consider to be "easy targets" — older Australians who may not be as skilled with technology. "This is the first one that's come across our office. They prey on and take advantage of people that clearly don't deserve it," he told the Channel 9 programme. "Unfortunately, they seem to know or find out, whichever way they do, people that are in this age bracket, and they target them. What is the letterbox scam? ScamWatch said letterbox scammers will typically pretend to be from a trusted organisation like a bank or IT company. They can use sophisticated technology to make this ruse appear more legitimate, like spoofing an actual bank's real phone number or send text messages in the same thread you have with your bank. They will usually tell you that you need to act quickly as your accounts have been hacked, compromised or glitching, and that your money isn't safe where it is. "They will ask for your PIN and tell you to leave your bank card in your letterbox so it can be cancelled and replaced," the scam group said. "They may ask you to withdraw cash and leave that in the letterbox instead, or they may pick it up from you directly." ScamWatch said initial reports confirmed Aldersea's suspicions that these criminals are targeting "older and vulnerable Australians who live alone" and they are stealing "large sums of money". While Bridgette is understandably devastated by the incident she warned other Aussies to slow down if they're confronted with something similar to her situation. "If you see something alarming... whatever it is, just don't react," she said.
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Cancel those Bali plans right now, this is where everyone is going instead
Bali, babe, we love you. But I think it's time we see other destinations. As an Aussie, I love Bali as much as the next gal. It will always hold a special place in my heart. But between rising prices, Bali belly, and the risk of being hit by a rogue scooter, I'm starting to wonder — is it really worth it? And, I'm not the only one. For years, Bali has been our go-to for cheap holidays, barefoot luxury, and last-minute group getaways. But lately, there's a quiet shift happening. Flights are pricier. Villa costs are soaring higher than ever before. Even a sunset cocktail is starting to feel just like Sydney's daylight robbery. And if you've ever had the joy of spending 24 hours in a hotel bathroom clutching your stomach for dear life … you'll understand why some travellers are ready to break up with Bali (or at least take a Ross and Rachel-style break). 'I've been to Bali four times now, but sadly, I'm not sure I will go back.' Bridgette, a new mum from Newcastle, said. 'I have twins and a mortgage. It was always an amazing destination for a luxury-feel holiday on a budget, but prices have gotten very expensive. 'As much as I love it. I just can't justify it anymore. Flights alone are more than double what they used to be and going to a gym class was over $30 a day.' And, it's not just young parents feeling the pinch. Dee, a bride-to-be, recently had a hens party in Bali, and said it would probably be her last trip. 'When you want to have a fun little getaway with friends without breaking the bank, the first place that comes to mind is Bali,' she said. 'But this time around has changed my mindset on that. If you add wine and cocktails, splitting a bill at dinner works out around $100 per person, which is what you'd pay in Australia anyway.' She also suggested avoiding beach clubs if you're on a budget. 'I know beach clubs are known to be more expensive than other places. But on a hens you want to do that kind of thing. 'It was over $100 for one cocktail jug, or $17 for a single cocktail.' So, if Aussies are falling out of love with Bali, where are they going instead? Enter: Vietnam Travel insiders report a 54 per cent spike in Aussie visits to Vietnam during the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2019. Bookings via InsideAsia are up 46 per cent, and Klook reveals hotel stays have soared 250 per cent. And it's not hard to see why. Meals and taxis average around $5 and bottled water is about 80 cents, making it the ideal spot to stretch that dollar. Because the cost of living is no joke. Miranda, a young Aussie traveller, recently visited Vietnam with her boyfriend and was floored by how much she loved it. 'Vietnam was so good — the food was amazing. Most of our meals were just a few dollars, and we were getting banh mis and beers for under two bucks. It was wild.' Whether you're after lantern-lit romance in Hoi An, resort luxury in Da Nang, or a cruise through Halong Bay that doesn't cost you your entire tax return, Miranda says Vietnam has options. 'Hanoi was my favourite city — the cultural heritage is so rich, but every place we went felt completely different and special in its own way,' Miranda said. 'One of the best things we did was the Ha Giang Loop — it's this incredible four-day motorbike tour through Northern Vietnam. You ride 400km, stay in homestays with local guides, and eat traditional food. It was honestly the highlight of our whole trip.' Direct flights from Australia to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh? Check. A life-changing banh mi that costs less than half your matcha oat latte? Check. Luxury beach resorts and cruises on the cheap, cheap? Check. It's all sounding very sexy on paper. Go off, Vietnam. Miranda also loved the overall vibes. 'Everyone was so friendly and welcoming — I never felt unsafe once,' she said. 'It's not as humid as Bali or Thailand, which made it way easier to spend all day exploring without feeling gross.' It's much cheaper than Bali, where average hotel rates are also going up 15 per cent year-on-year, according to travel expert Quentin Long on Today. 'Luxury Escapes is reporting the average daily rate of a Bali hotel is up 15 per cent year on year.' Dee and her fiancé have been to both countries, and she says there's a clear winner. 'I've been to both Bali and Vietnam, and honestly? Vietnam wins. It's so much cheaper,' Dee said. 'Bali was a vibe when I went with friends for a celebration, but I wouldn't go back unless it was for a special occasion. Vietnam just makes way more sense. 'I spent like $5000 in Bali over 10 days — and that's without flights or accommodation. In Vietnam, we were there for 14 days and I spent about $2000–3000 total. Big difference. 'Vietnam is just so much better value — and it still felt like a proper adventure.' Call it a break-up, a fling, or just a Ross-and-Rachel-style 'break', but Aussies are officially seeing other destinations. And Vietnam is giving 'the hot rebound that turns out to be long-term material'.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Daily Mail
Terrifying two-word text mother received just moments before her son mysteriously disappeared
A teen mysteriously disappeared while traveling with his cousins in Florida, just moments after he texted his mother, 'Mom help.' Giovanni Pelletier, 18, disappeared last Friday in the early hours of the morning while traveling on an interstate with his cousins in Englewood, a city about 45 minutes south of Sarasota, according to the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office. He was in the car with his cousins on his father's side when he 'suddenly began to act erratically before exiting the vehicle and walking away near SR70,' the sheriff's office said. The Charlotte County and Brevard County Sheriff's Offices have launched an investigation to locate the missing teen, but his family says they haven't heard from him since. Giovanni's phone and backpack were abandoned on the side of the highway, leaving his family with countless questions. His mom, Bridgette, 34, told People that she saw the chilling text messages when she woke up at around 6:20 am on Friday. Giovanni texted his mother twice, pleading for help, and tried to FaceTime and call her before 2 am. The teen had also texted his aunt and father, asking for help when his mom didn't reply. Bridgette told the publication that she also received a missed call from one of Giovanni's cousins, who was in the car with him when he vanished. 'He only called me that one time,' she said. 'And then no effort was made to communicate with me. No effort was made to come back to the house to let me know.' Bridgette told People that Giovanni is from North Carolina, but was visiting his dad's side of the family in Florida. His parents were never married, but he was born in Florida and lived there until he was four years old. When he turned 18, Bridgette said he wanted to get to know his father's family. 'He was craving the culture and the background from his dad's side of the family, and I couldn't give that to him,' she said. Bridgette added that there has been little communication with Giovanni's relatives and that they haven't helped them look for her son. After he disappeared, she said his paternal grandfather left her a message that there was an altercation on the side of the road between the cousins, and to 'let him know when I found Giovanni.' Bridgette said that one of Giovanni's cousins told her that they were smoking marijuana, and he started to panic. The cousin claimed Giovanni pulled out a knife on the side of the road, which Bridgette said was unlike her son. Giovanni's aunt, Desiree, shared on Facebook that he was with three boys when he disappeared, whom he had never met in person. Desiree posted a video on social media pleading for the public's help, and dismissing theories that her nephew was a runaway. Giovanni's family has launched a GoFundMe to raise money for a reward and resources for the search. 'Giovanni is smart, kind, and full of life. He didn't deserve this,' the description reads. 'Our family is devastated, terrified, and doing everything in our power to bring him home — but we're receiving very little help from officials, and we are being forced to search on our own.' According to a missing persons poster shared by his family, Giovanni was last seen driving in a white Chevrolet Malibu to Mims. He was wearing a Carhartt beanie, a white tank top, and black sweatpants. Giovanni is about 5'11 and weighs 140 lbs. The family is offering a reward for tips that lead to locating Giovanni. Anyone with information on Giovanni's whereabouts is asked to contact their local law enforcement agency, which will relay it to the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office. Daily Mail reached out to local law enforcement for an update on the case.
Daily Mail
08-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Gruesome picture exposes horrific act against helpless pelican - as authorities launch desperate search
A pelican 'with the most hideous of injuries' has evaded wildlife volunteers trying to save its life. The Wildlife Welfare Organisation SA Inc (WWO) sent volunteers to Meningie, in the state's southeast, after members of the public reported the bird on Sunday. Somehow still alive, the pelican was spotted perched next to another pelican on the edge of a lake with an arrow lodged through its head. Volunteers Bridgette and Scott searched for more than two hours but ultimately failed to find the bird. Instead the WWO asked others to keep an eye out for it as it was not able to afford to send any volunteers out for a second trip to find it. 'WWO are still on alert in case it is spotted again,' a spokesperson wrote in a statement. 'Our resources are stretched to the limit, as most of the time it's a whole day round trip for our rescue teams.' The WWO reported that the bird was attacked to Crimestoppers and has said it will remain vigilant for any more news regarding its whereabouts. After their unsuccessful trip to Meningie, Bridgette and Scott travelled 34 kilometres northwest to Narrung in an effort to help more injured birds. There they 'successfully apprehended' a different pelican with a fishing hook imbedded in its foot joint. 'This pelican was in a very debilitated state on arrival and today was assessed by Dr Erik and the SKER team. X-rays showed a serious bone infection in the joint,' the animal welfare group's statement said. Despite the infection and the hook having been imbedded in the bones the group said Dr Erik was able to remove it successfully. 'Peace at last for this poor bird,' the WWO wrote. Other birds to have evaded capture around the area were a pelican spotted in Cadell with a hole in its pouch that caused fish to fall out and another at Waikerie with a fractured lower beak that cannot be used to eat. 'Our hearts break for all of these poor birds, and these are only the ones that get reported.' Anyone who manages to spot any of these birds has been encouraged to contact the WWO regarding their whereabouts.
