Arielle Valdes, a 21-year-old from North Fort Myers, was found dead five days after going missing during a normal run. On September 2, 2024, her body was found near the Caloosahatchee River.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office started a huge search with the help of K9 teams, hoverboards, and boats. Investigators worked hard, but they couldn’t find any signs of wrongdoing.
Arielle went for a run on August 28, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. and never came back. Surveillance video showed her running south on US 41 near her home before she disappeared.
“Ari, you were too good for this world,” her sister Isabella Hergert told the community with deep thanks. I love you and look forward to seeing you again. A GoFundMe page that was made to help find Arielle will now be used to remember her.
The community is still reeling from this terrible loss, which reminds us how important it is to stick together in times of trouble.
You can find out more about Arielle’s life or find ways to help her family by looking online for tribute pages and news reports.
