Authorities believe they have found the body of 21-year-old Arielle Valdes, a Florida woman who vanished while on a run near her home in North Fort Myers. Valdes disappeared on Wednesday, August 28, after leaving her home around 6:30 p.m. to jog along Mariana Avenue, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO).
Surveillance footage from the Department of Transportation showed Valdes running southbound on U.S. Route 41 around 6:45 p.m. and toward the Edison Bridge just after 6:50 p.m. that evening. Five days later, on Monday, September 2, search crews discovered a body along the Caloosahatchee River in North Fort Myers, which authorities believe to be Valdes.
The LCSO reported that preliminary evidence suggests no foul play was involved in her death, though the official cause of death has not yet been released.
“We are heartbroken about Arielle’s passing,” said Joseph Sowels, who organized a GoFundMe campaign to help with search efforts after Valdes’ disappearance. Initially, the funds were intended as a reward for anyone who could provide information leading to her recovery. Now, Sowels has confirmed that the money will go “directly to Isabella Hergert,” by Fort Myers News-Press as Valdes’ sister, though the family is still deciding how to use the funds.
Valdes’ sister, Isabella, paid tribute to her in several emotional posts on Facebook. In one post, she wrote, “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 overwhelming support, asking for privacy as the family grieves.
In another post, Hergert shared a journal entry from Arielle and mentioned plans to publish some of her sister’s spiritual writings. “My sister was a real-life angel,” she wrote. “I know this is all for a greater purpose.”
A Facebook page dedicated to finding Arielle, titled “Finding Arielle Valdes,” also mourned her passing, describing her as a “vibrant personality and gentle soul” who “brought so much light into the lives of those who knew her.” The post expressed deep gratitude for the community’s efforts in the search for Valdes, calling her presence “a gift” that will always be remembered by those who knew her.
Before her disappearance, Valdes had been training for a marathon, Hergert revealed on social media. Crews had searched both land and sea over the five days leading up to the discovery of her body.
In a final message of unity, the “Finding Arielle Valdes” Facebook page thanked the community for its unwavering support during the search. “The efforts we made together were widespread and unforgettable, showing just how powerful we can be when we unite for a common cause.”