Authorities believe they have found the body of Arielle Valdes, a 21-year-old woman who disappeared during a run near her home in North Fort Myers, Florida.
Valdes went missing on Wednesday, August 28, after leaving her home for a run in the 90th block of Mariana Avenue around 6:30 p.m., according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO). Surveillance footage captured by a Department of Transportation camera showed her running southbound on U.S. Route 41 at approximately 6:45 p.m., and heading toward the Edison Bridge just after 6:50 p.m.
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Five days later, on Monday, September 2, a body was discovered along the Caloosahatchee River in North Fort Myers during the search for Valdes. Authorities believe the remains are likely hers. Preliminary evidence does not suggest foul play, though the cause of death has not yet been released.
Following the discovery, Joseph Sowels, who had organized a GoFundMe campaign to aid in the search, expressed heartbreak over Valdes’ passing. The funds raised were initially intended as a reward for information leading to her safe return but will now be given to her sister, Isabella Hergert.
Hergert paid tribute to her sister on Facebook, writing, “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 also thanked the community for their support and requested privacy for her family as they grieve.
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A Facebook page dedicated to finding Valdes described her as a “vibrant personality and gentle soul” who brought light into the lives of those who knew her. The page also highlighted the community’s efforts in the search, emphasizing the strength and unity displayed during the difficult time.
Valdes was training for a marathon at the time of her disappearance, and search teams had been scouring both land and water over the past five days. The community’s response was praised on the “Finding Arielle Valdes” Facebook page, where members were thanked for their collective efforts and support.
If you have any information on Arielle’s whereabouts or saw her that evening, please contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office immediately at 239-477-1000.
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