Arielle Valdes ‘acted strange’ and heard ‘demons’ days before vanishing as cops rule out new theory behind her death
By Emma Crabtree,
2024-09-04
HEARTBREAKING details have emerged about the events leading up to the death of a jogger who reportedly heard demons before she went missing.
Arielle Valdes, 21, disappeared in North Fort Myers, Florida , on August 28 after leaving home to go for a run.
Arielle Valdes pictured smiling at a party in a black dress Facebook Lee County Sheriff’s Office boat near the Edison Bridge carrying out water search for Valdes days after she went missing Lee County Sheriff's Office The runner was seen on surveillance footage on August 28 Lee County Sheriff's Office The 21-year-old pictured wearing a blue floral dress while enjoying a dinner out Facebook
Her body was found on Monday by a dive crew in the mangroves of the Caloosahatchee River between Edison Bridge and Caloosahatchee Bridge.
Valdes was last seen on surveillance footage around 6:50 pm running toward the Edison Bridge on the day she vanished.
While cops do not suspect any foul play in her death, some disturbing details have been revealed about Valdes on the day she went missing.
A police report from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office obtained by Fox affiliate WFTX reveals that Valdes had disappeared from her home earlier that day and made odd admissions about her mental health .
Valdes’ mother told cops that her daughter “had been acting strange for the last couple of days and had mentioned that she was hearing demon voices in her head,” the police report states.
Her mother’s fears came to a head on the day her daughter went missing after she had run away from home earlier that morning.
“Valdes left the residence with no shoes after Coutinho requested that she share her location due to Valdes running off and being found at LCEC this morning,” according to the report.
She had also failed to take her phone, making it difficult for cops to locate her.
Valdes’ mother told cops that she believed her daughter was having “some sort of mental health crisis and needs help.”
She had recently been struggling with depression , her family revealed.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office confirmed on Monday that an extensive search, including drones , K9s, boats, and planes, resulted in the team finding Valdes.
“Preliminarily, there is no evidence to indicate that foul play was involved,” the statement read .
“Our Major Crimes Unit has communicated with the family to provide the most recent update.
“We will work with the District 21 Medical Examiner’s Office for the remainder of the investigation.
Arielle Valdes' disappearance
Arielle Valdes vanished on August 28 while out for a jog. Here are the key developments that led up to her body being found in a river.
6:30 pm on August 28 – Valdes left her home to go on a run
6:45 pm on August 28 – Footage showed Valdes running southbound near her neighborhood
6:50 pm on August 28 – Cameras captured Valdes running toward the Edison Bridge
August 30 – Officials launch a search on land and sea for Valdes using multiple resources
September 2 – The Lee County Sheriff’s Office confirms they found remains of a woman, presumed to be Valdes, while searching the Caloosahatchee River, in North Fort Myers, Florida
“Our hearts remain with Arielle’s family and loved ones as they navigate the coming days during this time of grief.”
The Sheriff’s office added that investigators do not believe anyone pushed her into the water, according to NBC affiliate WBBH .
‘FIVE AGONIZING DAYS’
Valdes’ family, who launched a GoFundMe page to help with the search, confirmed the news in an update and is now raising money for her memorial.
“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,” the family declared.
They thanked the local community who worked together to try and locate Valdes during the “five agonizing days” she was missing.
“While we hoped and prayed for her safe return, we now face the unimaginable reality of having to say goodbye.”
So far, the family has raised $7,837 of their $10,000 target which will be used to create a memorial, pay for her cremation, support the family, and pay off Valdes’ outstanding bills.
Valdes had been acting strange for the last couple of days and had mentioned that she was hearing demon voices in her head.
Police Report
There will also be some funds put aside for mental health support, the family stated.
Valdes’ sister, Isabella Hergert, asked followers on Facebook to give them “privacy while we grieve our angel.”
“Ari you were too good for this world. I love you and I will see you again in every lifetime,” she wrote .
“You are a piece of my soul that I will always look for.”
The official cause of death has not yet been released.
The U.S. Sun has reached out to the District 21 Medical Examiner’s Office for comment.
Boats from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office diving team located her body in the mangroves of the Caloosahatchee River Lee County Sheriff's Office Valdes crouching down outside stroking a cat as she beams at the camera Facebook Arielle Valdes
Omg 😳 the ignorance in the comments are unbelievable. To the family my condolences. Please ignore all the ignorant ones whom have no clue about your daughter’s situation.
spreadlove
09-05
To all you oh so perfect people on here . If you have nothing nice to say then don’t post anything. We all know we don’t always tell people wtf is really going on in our heads. You don’t know if her mom tried to get her help . In fact you all don’t know anything unless you were close to her. Everyone always wants to blame someone smh !! I NEVER tell my parents when I’m at my lowest because I don’t want them to worry .
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