The search for a missing Florida woman ended tragically on Monday after a body was discovered along the Caloosahatchee River, authorities said.
Arielle Valdes, 21, of North Fort Meyers had been missing since Wednesday, prompting a community-wide search that led officials to search via land, air and water.
The five-day search was triggered after Valdes left for a solo run and never returned, the Fort Myers News-Press, part of the USA TODAY Network, originally reported. Manned by volunteers and special police forces alike, the hunt was fueled by community members responding to posts shared by Valdes' family, urging locals to chip in.
The discovery of what is presumed to be Valdes' body left the family reeling Monday, though they took a moment to thank helpers for their "love and dedication."
"Whether you searched on foot for hours, drove across the county, brought out your boats, flew drones, reached out to businesses for footage, or donated to help her family, you have been our strength," the family said on Facebook.
Who was Arielle Valdes?
Arielle Valdes was a 21-year-old North Fort Myers woman who went missing while out on a run on Wednesday, Aug. 28.
She was described by family and friends in social media posts as a "vibrant personality and gentle soul brought so much light into the lives of those who knew her. Arielle had a special way of connecting with nature and the world around her, finding beauty in the simplest things."
In a post shared to Facebook, her sister, Isabella Hergert, called Valdes "Too good for this world," saying, "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."
When did Arielle Valdes go missing?
Valdes left her home in North Fort Myersaround 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 28 to go for a run. She was captured on camera running southbound on U.S. 41 around 6:45 p.m., Florida Department of Transportationfootage showed, and again shortly after 6:50 p.m. where video caught her heading southbound toward the Edison Bridge.
She was last seen wearing a light-colored hoodie sweater, gym shorts, and what appeared to be black and white low-top Converse-style sneakers, the Lee County Sheriff's Office said while announcing the search for Valdes was underway Friday evening.
Family said Valdes has been training for a marathon and running long distances, the Fort Myers News-Press reported. A post shared by her family on Facebook during the search also said she had "been having panic attacks as of very recently and has not been speaking much the last week."
Searches for Valdes continued into Monday, using a range of resources from the sheriff's office, the Forensics Division and major crimes unit Major Crimes Unit, including marine vessels, aviation tools, drones, canines and rapid DNA testing.
What happened to Arielle Valdes?
A body presumed to belong to Valdes was discovered by authorities Monday afternoon during a search along the Caloosahatchee River, the News-Press first reported.
The sheriff's office said in a release that there was no evidence to indicate foul play. Police will work with the local Medical Examiner's Office moving forward to determine the cause of death.
A GoFundMe set up to benefit Valdes' family during the search was updated to reflect the news Monday.
"We are heartbroken to share the tragic news that after five days of searching, Arielle Valdes was found in the Caloosahatchee River. Her passing has left us devastated, and the loss of such a vibrant and loving soul has been felt deeply by all who knew her," it said.
"Arielle was missing for five agonizing days, during which countless community members came together to search for her, showing incredible strength, love, and solidarity. While we hoped and prayed for her safe return, we now face the unimaginable reality of having to say goodbye."
The $4,280 in the fund Tuesday afternoon will now be put toward a memorial, cremation and special urn, Valdes' outstanding bills and support for the family.
"As we now face the heartbreaking reality of Arielle’s passing, let’s take a moment to recognize the extraordinary strength of our community," the Finding Arielle Valdes Facebook page shared to its 4,500 followers. "The efforts we made together were widespread and unforgettable, showing just how powerful we can be when we unite for a common cause. In the face of this tragedy, we’ve proven that we are more than just neighbors — we are a true community, bound by our care and commitment to one another."
