Florida authorities have found the body of 21-year-old Arielle Valdes, a jogger who went missing in North Fort Myers. After an extensive five-day search, law enforcement officials believe the body discovered along the Caloosahatchee River is Valdes, who disappeared on August 28 while training for a marathon.
Disappearance and Search Efforts
Arielle Valdes was last seen leaving her home around 6:30 p.m. on August 28 to go for a run in the 90th block of Mariana Avenue, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO). A Department of Transportation camera captured footage of her running south on U.S. Route 41 about 15 minutes later. Additional footage showed her heading toward the Edison Bridge just after 6:50 p.m.
Once Valdes was reported missing, search efforts were launched involving the sheriff’s office, civilian volunteers, and various technologies. Search teams utilized marine vessels, drones, aviation tools, and rapid DNA testing in their attempt to locate her. After days of searching, a body presumed to be Valdes’ was discovered along the Caloosahatchee River on September 2. Preliminary findings from the LCSO do not suggest foul play in Valdes’ death, though details regarding her cause of death remain under investigation. The sheriff’s office has not provided further updates at this time.
Family’s Concerns and Tribute
Leading up to her disappearance, Valdes had been experiencing mental health struggles. According to a police report, her mother told investigators that Arielle had been “acting strange” and was hearing “demon voices in her head.” A social media post by her family during the search indicated that she had recently suffered panic attacks and had been unusually quiet in the days before her disappearance. Valdes’ sister, Isabella Hergert, posted several heartfelt tributes on social media following the discovery of her body. “Ari, you were too good for this world. I love you and I will see you again in every lifetime. You are a piece of my soul that I will always look for,” she wrote. In another post, Hergert described her sister as “a real-life angel” and expressed her belief that the tragedy serves a greater purpose.
Community Support and Memorial
Throughout the search, the community rallied to support Valdes’ family. A “Finding Arielle Valdes” Facebook group was created to organize efforts and raise awareness. After her body was found, the group thanked the community for its widespread efforts. “In the face of this tragedy, we’ve proven that we are more than just neighbors – we are a true community, bound by our care and commitment to one another,” the post read.
A GoFundMe page, created to offer a reward for information leading to Valdes’ whereabouts, will now provide financial support to her sister, Isabella. The fundraiser organizer, Joseph Sowels, redirected the funds to help the family cope with their loss. On Thursday, a memorial run was held in Lee County to honor Valdes’ memory. During the event, Hergert expressed her gratitude to the community, saying, “I feel an overwhelming amount of love right now from the community, and I just want to say thank you to everyone who is here and organized this.”
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