The remains of a Florida woman who was last seen heading out for a jog have been found five days after she vanished.
Arielle Valdes, 21, was last seen in surveillance footage leaving her home for a run in Fort Myers on Wednesday.
Following an exhaustive search, her remains were found by a dive crew late Monday in the mangroves along the bank of the Calhoosahatchee River.
Officials have not offered a cause of death, but the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said there is no initial suggestion of foul play.
Arielle Valdes, 21, disappeared last Wednesday after going from a run near her home in Fort Myers, Florida
Her body was found Monday evening near the Calhoosahatchee River (pictured)
The body was discovered within minutes of a water search crew departing a nearby dock.
Final footage shared by the sheriff’s office showed the 21-year-old jogging along the Edison Bridge, with her body discovered in mangroves between the Edison and Calhoosahatchee bridges, reports NBC2.
It is unexplained how Valdes ended up in the water, and her cause of death is currently unconfirmed.
Her family said she was training for a marathon and would often run long distances, with her loved ones launching a huge appeal for her after she failed to return home.
Valdes’ family also revealed that she had recently been battling depression.
As the search for Valdes stretched into the weekend, the sheriff’s office said it was escalating its efforts by enlisting drones, K9s, forensics and water and aerial searches.
Final footage showed the 21-year-old jogging along the Edison Bridge on the day she disappeared, with Valdes’ body later discovered in mangroves between the Edison and Calhoosahatchee bridges
Following the discovery of her body, Valdes’ family said her ‘presence was a gift, and her memory will forever be cherished by all who were fortunate enough to know her’
After Valdes’ remains were found on Monday evening, her loved ones shared a heartbreaking update in the ‘Finding Arielle Valdes’ Facebook page dedicated to her search.
‘It’s with a heavy heart that we share the loss of our dear Arielle, whose vibrant personality and gentle soul brought so much light into the lives of those who knew her,’ the family said.
‘To her family and friends, words can’t express the depth of our sorrow, and we send our heartfelt sympathies during this unimaginable time.
‘Arielle’s presence was a gift, and her memory will forever be cherished by all who were fortunate enough to know her.’
The family also praised the huge search effort from authorities and volunteers, saying they wanted to ‘take a moment to recognize the extraordinary strength of our community.’
‘The efforts we made together were widespread and unforgettable, showing just how powerful we can be when we unite for a common cause,’ the family said.
‘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.’
Valdes’ disappearance sparked a huge search effort that brought in K9 units, aerial and river search crews, and drones
Valdes’ sister Isabella, who helped lead efforts to find the runner, added in a tragic tribute to her sibling that she was ‘too good for this world.’
‘I love you and I will see you again in every life time [sic]. You are a piece of my soul that I will always look for,’ she wrote.
‘Thank you so much for the love we have received from the community. Please give us privacy while we grieve our angel.’