BREAKING NEWS: The body of Arielle Valdes, 21, has been found in Fort Myers. Law enforcement officials are at the scene. We will provide more updates as we get them today. It’s a developing story.
Valdes’ sister, Isabella Hergert, posted this statement on her Facebook page, where she has been providing updates since Valdes disappeared on Aug. 28.SISTER: Ari you were to good for this world. I love you and I will see you again in every life time. You are a piece of my soul that I will always look for. Thank you so much for the love we have received from the community. Please give us privacy while we grieve our angel
What LCSO is saying: Missing runner Arielle Valdes’ body found in Fort Myers nearly five days after disappearance
FROM EARLIER TODAY:
Wednesday will mark one week since Arielle Valdes was last seen. Since her disappearance in North Fort Myers on Aug. 28 there has been a community-wide effort, fueled by communication and updates on social media. Valdes’ sister, Isabella Hergert, has been sharing information on Facebook.
Here’s what we know, according to Hergert’s Facebook updates:
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Valdes is 21. It has been reported on social media she is training for a marathon. She was last seen on a run on Aug. 28.
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Valdes was last seen around 6:45 p.m. on Aug. 28 with video footage from the Florida Department of Transportation that showed her running southbound on U.S. 41 from Pondella Road in North Fort Myers by her neighborhood.
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Additionally, cameras captured her going southbound toward the Edison Bridge shortly after 6:50 p.m.
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Valdes was wearing a light-colored hoodie sweater, gym shorts, and what appears to be black and white high-top Converse-style sneakers.
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According to a flyer that is being shared on social media, Valdes is a Hispanic female, 5’4” and weighing 100 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes.
The News-Press has made a request for an interview with Hergert. We have also contacted the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Fort Myers Police Department for more information.
Early Sunday morning (Sept. 2) Hergert posted another image of the flyer and and this link to a GoFundMe account called “Bring Arielle Valdes Home: Donate Now.” The The Valdes GoFundMe is organized by a Joseph Sowels of Fort Myers.
GoFundMe is a crowdfunding platform. As of Sunday morning (Sept. 2) the account showed $965 raised with a goal of $10,000. On the GoFundMe page it says:
“We are raising funds for reward money in the effort to find Arielle Valdes. Arielle was last seem on Route 41 in North Fort Myers, Florida on August 28th, 2024. Arielle is a responsible and loved member of her community. The funds raised will be offered to the person who provides information to the family or police that lead directly to finding Arielle. In the event that Arielle is found without a tip the reward money will go to her care.”
Hergert also posted this on her Facebook page Sunday:
“We will be meeting at centennial park again to distribute flyers … We have tips leading in the area of 310 pondella road – found socks possibly hers under bridge at this address by eternal light crystal shop we reported that to LCSO … North on Tamiami trail – possible sighting running north past the auto parts store by twistys ice cream shop check nurseries and woods going north … East on Bayshore drive – there are nurseries she frequented and woods going this way possible spots to stop or take cover in. Also suncoast has been suggested since it’s not far from our location. Check road towards I-75 … Solas care – Possible sighting tip from the man in the video from yesterday’s search. There are two close to each other one that is a halfway house and another inpatient center … Colonial blvd – maybe an option since she might have been seen at the 711 off deleon near her running route on mcgregor. Could have taken summerlin and gladiolus towards beaches or parks … Kava bars – frequented many times, many are situated near her routes … Cape Coral – there are trails here like rotary park that we have not checked. Four mile cove was searched and cleared which she use to frequent. North cape is very much populated with trees and one off kismet has a trail. We haven’t spent much time in Cape Coral but she may have traveled. There is also zemel rd trails and other areas in burnt store she may have gone … All CVS stores in fort myers … Wawa on 82 st.”
And at the very end of the post:
“My family needs some rest so they will be there around 8:30. We have leads we have to follow but I will be there at some point. We can’t say much about leads at the moment as not to compromise anything.”
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Search continues for Fort Myers woman who went missing on Aug. 28
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