Off The Record
Arielle Valdes, A 21-Year-Old Woman From Fort Myers Who Had Been Missing For Five Days Was Found
Five days after going on a run and never coming back, a North Fort Myers lady has been located, sparking a countywide hunt.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has discovered the remains of a woman who is believed to be missing 21-year-old Arielle Valdes.
Friends and relatives of Valdes confirmed their worst fears on September 2, 2024, when remains thought to be hers were found in North Fort Myers, along the Caloosahatchee River.
This marked the seventh day that the Sheriff’s Office had made major efforts to locate Valdes. Both on land and at sea, a wide range of resources were used, including several drones, aviation units, and marine boats.
Additionally employed were K9 teams and the Forensics Division, which made use of the ANDE quick DNA technology. The Major Crimes Unit was actively conducting the hunt. The sheriff’s office eventually located Valdes thanks to their teams, efforts, and resources.
According to the sheriff’s office, there isn’t any preliminary evidence that suggests foul play. The family has been updated with the most recent information by the Major Crimes Unit.
The unit will continue to collaborate with the District 21 Medical Examiner’s Office as the investigation progresses. “Our hearts remain with Arielle’s family and loved ones as they navigate the coming days during this time of grief,” the Sheriff’s Office wrote.
On August 28, 2024, at around 6:30 p.m., Valdes had gone for a run but had never come back. The family alerted the authorities, fearing for her safety, and the sheriff’s office began a search and inquiry.
In their Facebook post, the Sheriff’s office described Valdes as “Hispanic female, 5’4″, 100lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes.” They also noted that she was last seen wearing a light-colored hoodie, gym shorts, and what appeared to be black and white high-top Converse-style sneakers.
The cops revealed that detectives had looked into DOT tape and that, at 6:45 p.m. that night, the enthusiastic runner was seen traveling south on US 41 from Pondella Rd. in North Fort Myers, which is close to her neighborhood.
Shortly around 6:50 p.m., she was seen traveling south near the Edison Bridge by additional cameras. The authorities were able to discover Valdes’ body thanks to the assistance of these details in their investigations.
Her sister Isabella Hergert has expressed gratitude to the community for the love and support they gave her family during their search for Valdes, but her family is currently in sadness.
She wrote on Facebook, “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.” Hergert also asked for privacy as the family grieves Valdes, whom she called their “angel.”
Before Valdes was discovered, Hergert had also launched a Go-Fund-Me page to collect money for a $1,000 reward. The recipient of the reward money would be the individual who provided information leading to Valdes’s safe return.
Hergert wrote, “In the event that Arielle is found without a tip. The reward money will go to her care.” Currently, Joseph Sowels, who organized the fundraising, stated that they are holding off on making any decisions regarding the funds that have been generously donated.
Sowels will wait for Valdes’s family to decide the best way to use these contributions. He also grieved with family, saying, “We are heartbroken about Arielle’s passing. Please join us in giving Arielle’s family the time and space they need to grieve and process this unimaginable loss.”
Sowels continued by saying how much they value everyone’s understanding and support during this trying time. He promised that the family would offer an update on the utilization of the money after they had some time to think about it. He reaffirmed that all contributions are going to Isabella Hergert in the interim.
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