Latest news with #ManateeCounty
Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Body of teen boy found after he sent chilling text to his mom
North Carolina teenager Giovanni Pelletier's body has been found after he sent a text message to his mother saying 'Mom help'. His decomposing remains were found in a retention pond off I-75 and State Road 70 on Friday, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office. The body was formally identified on Saturday afternoon. The area where he was found had been searched by authorities on the first day of search efforts, but the body was ultimately located by a private investigation group hired by the Pelletier family. Authorities said positive identification is pending further testing, and an autopsy is scheduled for Sunday, reports Gulf Coast News. Giovanni vanished on Friday, August 1 while visiting Florida with his mother, Bridgette Pelletier, her fiance, and his four siblings. Before leaving Raleigh, North Carolina he had arranged via text with paternal relatives to pick him up in Englewood, Florida and take him to his grandfather's home in Brevard County, more than three hours away. Bridgette said she was hesitant to let her son travel alone but wanted to support his wish to reconnect with family. But within 30 minutes of being picked up, Giovanni sent her a chilling text message. According to Bridgette, Giovanni's paternal grandfather later left her a voicemail alleging that there had been an altercation and that the teen's cousins had left him on the side of the road in Bradenton, Manatee County. He had been 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. Giovanni's phone and backpack were abandoned on the side of the highway, leaving his family devastated and without answers to his whereabouts. His mom, Bridgette, 34, told People that she saw the text messages when she woke up at around 6.20am, hours after he had texted around He had also tried to FaceTime her. The teenager had also texted his aunt and father, asking for help when his mom didn't reply. Bridgette said 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.' The family launched a GoFundMe to raise money for a reward and resources for the search. Hours after his body was identified on Saturday, his mother posted a statement to social media. She said: '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 honor his memory through this unimaginable heartbreak.' Bridgette told how Giovanni was 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 had 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 is smart, kind, and full of life. He didn't deserve this,' the description read. '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.'
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
Body found in search for Florida teen who mysteriously vanished after sending two-word text to his mom
Authorities in Florida have found the body of missing North Carolina teen Giovanni Pelletier, 18, in a tragic end to the week-long search for the teen. His decomposing remains were found in a retention pond off I-75 and State Road 70 on Friday, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office. The body was formally identified on Saturday afternoon. The area where he was found had been searched by authorities on the first day of search efforts, but the body was ultimately located by a private investigation group hired by the Pelletier family. Authorities said positive identification is pending further testing, and an autopsy is scheduled for Sunday, reports Gulf Coast News. Giovanni vanished on Friday, August 1 while visiting Florida with his mother, Bridgette Pelletier, her fiancé, and his four siblings. Before leaving Raleigh, North Carolina he had arranged via text with paternal relatives to pick him up in Englewood, Florida and take him to his grandfather's home in Brevard County, more than three hours away. Bridgette said she was hesitant to let her son travel alone but wanted to support his wish to reconnect with family. But within 30 minutes of being picked up, Giovanni sent her a chilling text message: 'Mom help.' According to Bridgette, Giovanni's paternal grandfather later left her a voicemail alleging that there had been an altercation and that the teen's cousins had left him on the side of the road in Bradenton, Manatee County. He had been 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. Giovanni's phone and backpack were abandoned on the side of the highway, leaving his family devastated and without answers to his whereabouts. His mom, Bridgette, 34, told People that she saw the chilling text messages when she woke up at around 6:20am, hours after he had texted around 2am. He had also tried to FaceTime her. The teen had also texted his aunt and father, asking for help when his mom didn't reply. Bridgette said 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.' The family launched a GoFundMe to raise money for a reward and resources for the search. Hours after his body was identified on Saturday, his mother posted a statement to social media. '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 honor his memory through this unimaginable heartbreak' Bridgette told how Giovanni was 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 had 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 is smart, kind, and full of life. He didn't deserve this,' the description read. '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.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
North Carolina teen missing after Florida family vacation
It has been one week since 18-year-old Giovanni Pelletier disappeared while on his way to Brevard County, Florida. According to Charlotte County investigators, Pelletier was traveling with his cousins after being picked up in Englewood. The relatives told authorities that the teen began acting erratically and got out of their vehicle near State Road 70 in Manatee County. Family members say Giovanni sent multiple text messages asking for help shortly after leaving the vehicle. No one has heard from him since. 'Nothing. There's been zero. There's been a hundred thousand tips, if you could say—but nothing leads to him. Nothing at all,' said his cousin, Morgan Hull. Earlier this week, one of those tips prompted a search in Mims, Florida. However, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey says there is no evidence to suggest Pelletier was ever in Brevard County. 'Some of his items—a backpack, a school bag, and a telephone—were found on the interstate in Manatee County, I believe,' Ivey said. The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, which is leading the investigation, asked Brevard deputies to assist in contacting the cousins who were last with Giovanni. Sheriff Ivey says their accounts were consistent, and they allowed investigators to search their vehicle. 'We had our crime scene team go through it and reported back to Charlotte County that there was no evidence of any type of wrongdoing,' Ivey explained. Pelletier's family is now offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to his location or for the arrest and conviction of those responsible for his disappearance. 'We just want to find him. Bottom line—it doesn't matter how. We just want him home,' Hull said. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Man caught having three marriages at the same time faces the music as scorned wives slam his triple life
A Florida man avoided jail time after being caught scamming three women by marrying them at the same time in an elaborate scheme. Henry Betsey Jr, 50, was found guilty of bigamy last week after three heartbroken women came forward when they discovered they were all married to the lothario without their knowledge. Henry married his first wife, Tonya, in Duval County in November 2020. They wed at a courthouse in Jacksonville after meeting on Tinder. Two years later, Henry married Brandi at the Manatee County Courthouse after meeting on another dating app for single parents called Stir. That same year, Henry tied the knot for the third time with Michele after meeting on the dating website, Michele confessed to local ABC affiliate, WFTS, that she fell head over heels for the 50-year-old and unwittingly found herself at the Hernando County courthouse just three short weeks after meeting him. But Henry's triple life unraveled when Tonya said she began to search for her husband's name in county court records and found his marriage licenses to two other women. 'I just started county by county, putting in his name. And that's when I came up with the marriage to Michele and the marriage to Brandi,' she recalled to WFTS. As Henry stood in court to receive his sentence of two-years' probation and 100 hours' community service, his new girlfriend, who has not been identified, stood by him from the courthouse audience. Micha Everett shared a video on Instagram claiming that she dated Henry in 2019 and sent love to the three women he scammed into marrying him Henry's wives admitted that they fell into his trap after he sought out 'single, recently divorced women.' Michele admitted that she had 'no idea' Henry had two other wives when she received Tonya's message. The women recalled Henry portrayed himself as a charming man and never led on that he was in other marriages. Tonya said that Henry seemed like 'the perfect person, when in reality he was none of those things.' When his scheme came to light last year, Henry was arrested for bigamy. This week, Judge Daniel Merritt sentenced him to two years' probation and 100 hours of community service. Michele slammed Henry at his hearing, telling the court, 'I am unfortunately still the wife of the defendant. 'I am not here today just as a woman betrayed by someone I once trusted, but I am also speaking on behalf of the other women involved.' Michele told reporters after the sentencing that although she was hoping for jail time, she found solace that Henry was now a convicted felon. She added that she didn't believe he felt remorse for the pain he inflicted on his three wives. The three women he married were single, divorced moms living in different Florida counties. The women decided to remain anonymous as they came forward The women accused Henry of using them for money, with each wife recalling his desperate attempts to get their cash. Michele said Henry was seeking 'the extra perks of marrying a newly single, divorced woman.' Tonya added that all three women were either newly divorced or about to be divorced when they met Henry. Brandi recalled that Henry pushed her to add him onto her bank account the day they got married. The women accused Florida regulations for letting it slip that Henry was married to all three of them at the same time. 'There are no safeguards, and I feel like that's part of where the system failed,' Michele said. Henry pleaded guilty to the felony charge in May, and a judge revoked his bond after he was arrested in Virginia for assault and battery of a family or household member. He attended his sentencing hearing with his new girlfriend, who wasn't identified by his side. Henry declined to comment when approached by reporters outside the courthouse, but issued an apology during the hearing. 'First and foremost, I want to apologize to the ladies and I want to apologize to the court administration and to my family and friends that had to be involved in this. Because ultimately this is something that I didn't wish to be part of,' he said. Michele and Tonya told WFTS that they filed petitions for protection against domestic violence against Henry. Henry and Tonya's marriage ended in divorce after his arrest, while his marriages with Brandi and Michele were filed for annulment. Since his story went viral, another woman has spoken out on social media attesting to Henry's disturbing patterns. Micha Everett shared a video on Instagram claiming that she dated Henry in 2019. She said the first few months of their relationship was 'absolute bliss.' She said Henry was living on his own at the time in Tallahassee, but he went by the name 'Dell Betts.' Micha shared that after two months she could tell that 'someone else came into the picture.' She said he started acting inconsistently and in one instance 'terrified' her by speeding on the highway. Betsey began his probation last Thursday. He was also ordered to stay off social media and is not allowed to contact the three women.
Reuters
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
PGA Tour recognizes Paul Azinger with Payne Stewart Award
July 21 - Paul Azinger was named the 2025 recipient of the Payne Stewart Award, the PGA Tour's annual award honoring a player for his character, sportsmanship and commitment to charitable giving. Azinger, 65, was close friends with Stewart, who died in a plane accident in 1999. "If there is one person who knows all the positive traits that exemplified Payne Stewart, it's his close friend, Paul," PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said in a statement. "His values align with the character and charitable pursuits that Payne displayed throughout his career, and it's only fitting that Paul be honored with this year's award." Azinger receives a $500,000 grant in Stewart's name for his multiple charitable efforts. Much of it will be directed toward the Paul and Toni Azinger Charitable Fund, which is doing work in Manatee County, Fla., to help vulnerable and underserved families. "To be named the recipient of this award, representing my dearest friend, is one of the proudest moments in my life," Azinger said in a statement. "Payne displayed the ultimate character, sportsmanship and service to others throughout his career. He set the standard for how to represent the game of golf, so to be recognized for this award is truly humbling." Azinger won the 1993 PGA Championship among his 12 PGA Tour titles. More recently, he served as the lead golf analyst for NBC Sports and Golf Channel broadcasts, though his contract was not renewed in 2024. He is now on a one-year deal with Golf Channel as an analyst for PGA Tour Champions broadcasts. Recent winners of the Payne Stewart Award include Brandt Snedeker (2024), Gary Koch (2023), Billy Andrade (2022), Justin Rose (2021) and Zach Johnson (2020). --Field Level Media
