Arielle Valdes, Missing 21-Year-Old from Fort Myers, Located After 5-Day Ordeal

Arielle Valdes, 21-Year-Old Missing Fort Myers Woman, Found after 5-Day Search

Five days after going on a run and never coming back, a North Fort Myers lady has been located, sparking a countywide hunt.

The remains of a woman thought to be the missing 21-year-old Arielle Valdes have been discovered by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

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 hunt was actively conducted by the Major Crimes Unit. 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.

As the inquiry goes on, the team will keep working with the District 21 Medical Examiner’s Office. “Our hearts remain with Arielle’s family and loved ones as they navigate the coming days during this time of grief,” stated the Sheriff’s Office in a letter.

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.

The Sheriff’s office listed Valdes as a “Hispanic female, 5’4″, 100lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes” in a Facebook post. They added that she was last seen in gym shorts, a light-colored hoodie, and what looked to be high-top Converse sneakers in black and white.

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.

“Ari, you were too good for this world,” she posted on Facebook. I shall always adore you and I will see you again. I shall constantly search for you since you are a part of my spirit.” In addition, Hergert requested privacy while the family mourns Valdes, referring to him as their “angel.”

Before Valdes was discovered, Hergert had also launched a Go-Fund-Me page to collect money for a $1000 reward. The recipient of the reward money would be the individual who provided information leading to Valdes’s safe return.

In the event that Arielle is discovered without a tip, Hergert wrote. The prize money will be used for her upkeep. As of right now, the fundraising’s organizer, Joseph Sowels, said they are delaying making any judgments about the kind donations of money.

Sowels will hold off on making a decision regarding Valdes’s family’s best use of these donations. Along with his family, he expressed his grief by saying, “We are deeply saddened by Arielle’s loss. Please help us by allowing Arielle’s family the time and space they require to deal with this unfathomable loss and grieve.”

Sowels continued by saying how much they value everyone’s understanding and support during this trying time. He promised that the family will offer an update on the utilization of the monies after they had some time to think about it. He reaffirmed that all contributions are going to Isabella Hergert in the interim.