A young woman named Arielle Valdes, who had recently gone missing after going on a run in her Florida neighborhood, was sadly found dead five days later. The discovery of the body was made near the Caloosahatchee River by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and preliminary investigations have not suggested any signs of foul play.
Arielle Valdes, aged 21, left her home in Fort Myers to go for a run at around 6:30 pm on Wednesday when she disappeared, sparking an extensive search by her loved ones who were distraught that she hadn’t returned home. The tragic news was confirmed on Monday through the Lee County Sheriff’s Office statement.
Valdes’ family and friends paid tribute to her memory in a heartfelt post on the “Finding Arielle Valdes” Facebook page, remembering her as someone with a vibrant personality and a gentle soul who brought light into many people’s lives. The statement expressed profound sorrow for the loss of their dear Arielle and offered condolences to the bereaved family during this incredibly difficult time.
Valdes’ remains were discovered in mangroves on the northern bank of the river, situated between the Edison and Caloosahatchee bridges, shortly after a water search crew launched their efforts from a nearby dock, according to NBC2 reports.
The news agency also reported that Valdes had been struggling with depression, according to her family members. As of Tuesday morning, an official cause of death has yet to be confirmed.
Valdes left her home at around 6:30 pm on Wednesday for a run, as per authorities’ statements. She was in training for a marathon and was known to go on long-distance runs. Her sister, Isabella Hergert, confirmed this information in a Facebook post shortly after Arielle went missing.
Traffic cameras captured images of Valdes jogging towards the Edison Bridge while dressed in a hoodie, a sweater, gym shorts, and black Converse sneakers at around 6:50 pm that evening.
Over the weekend, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office announced they were increasing their efforts to locate Arielle by deploying additional resources such as marine and aviation assets, drones, K9 units, and the Forensics Division.
In a heartfelt tribute posted on Facebook Monday afternoon, Isabella Hergert expressed her love for her late sister and thanked the community for their support during this challenging time. She asked for privacy while the family grieves the loss of their angel.
