Arielle Valdes disappeared on Wednesday, Aug. 28, after leaving her house in North Fort Myers to go for a run, according to authorities.
Authorities believe the body of Arielle Valdes, a 21-year-old woman who vanished while running near her Florida home, has been discovered.
Valdes went missing on Wednesday, Aug. 28, after leaving her home to go for a run on the 90th block of Mariana Avenue in North Fort Myers at 6:30 p.m. local time, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO).
The LCSO shared footage from a Department of Transportation video that showed the woman sprinting southbound on U.S. Route 41 at 6:45 p.m. the same evening. Cameras also showed her heading southbound near the Edison Bridge just after 6:50 p.m.
According to the LCSO, a body was discovered on Monday, September 2, five days after Valdes disappeared, when crews looked for her in the Caloosahatchee River in North Fort Myers. The authorities believe the remains belonged to Valdes.
According to the LCSO, early information does not indicate that Valdes’ death was the result of foul play. Her cause of death has not been revealed.
“We are heartbroken about Arielle’s passing,” said Joseph Sowels, who established a GoFundMe campaign following Valdes’ abduction.
Following the discovery of Valdes’ body, loved ones are unsure what to do with the riches. Originally, the monies were raised as a reward for “the person who provides information to the family or police that leads directly to the finding of Arielle.”
Sowels stated that the monies will eventually go “directly to Isabella Hergert,” Valdes’ sister, as named by the Fort Myers News-Press.
Hergert paid tribute to her sister with various Facebook posts. In her first post, she stated, “Ari, you were too good for this world. I adore you, and I shall see you again in every lifetime. You are a piece of my soul that I will always search for.”
Valdes’ sister then said, “Thank you so much for the love we’ve received from the community.” Please provide us solitude as we mourn our angel.”
In another post, Hergert uploaded a snapshot of a journal entry, most likely written by her sister, and pledged to “work on publishing some of her spiritual scriptures.”
“My sister was a real-life angel,” Hergert captioned the image. “I know this is all for a greater purpose.”
Valdes’ death was also commemorated in a post on a Facebook page dedicated to finding the missing woman, titled “Finding Arielle Valdes.” She was characterized as a “vibrant personality and gentle soul” who “brought so much light into the lives of those who knew her.”
“Arielle’s presence was a gift, and her memory will forever be cherished by all who were fortunate enough to know her,” according to the post.
Valdes was training for a marathon when she went missing, according to Hegert on Facebook.
According to the sheriff’s office, crews have searched “both land and sea” for Valdes over the last five days.
On the “Finding Arielle Valdes” Facebook page, community members were praised for assisting with the search for Valdes, as well as those who provided emotional support to the woman’s family.
“The efforts we made together were widespread and unforgettable, showing just how powerful we can be when we unite for a common cause,” according to the message. “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.”
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