© 2025 WGCU News
PBS and NPR for Southwest Florida
Donate
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Collier Sheriff and other units search Picayune Strand area for missing Golden Gates Estate man

WGCU | By WGCU Staff
Published August 31, 2024 at 9:43 AM EDT
The Lee County Sheriff's Office said shortly before 2 p.m. that it had likely found the body of Arielle Valdez, 21, the Fort Myers woman missing since Wednesday.
LCSO
/
FGCU
The Lee County Sheriff's Office said shortly before 2 p.m. that it had likely found the body of Arielle Valdez, 21, the Fort Myers woman missing since Wednesday.
Early 8-31 Search Broll.mp4

Searchers in Collier County continued looking Saturday for a missing Golden Gate Estates man whose vehicle was found in a remote area off Beck Boulevard in East Naples.

The Collier County Sheriff's Office said deputies are actively looking for Eduardo Ramirez, 64, in that area.

A Sheriff's Office public information officer said CCSO's Incident Management Team staged this morning beginning at 6 a.m. with teams comprised of CCSO, Fire and EMS, Forestry, and FWC personnel.

Searchers headed out before 8 a.m. aboard several swamp buggies into the Picayune Strand State Forest near where Ramirez’ vehicle was last seen. Aviation was also continuing to assist in the search today as conditions allow.

Multiple units, including aviation, mounted patrol and K9 were involved in the search.

An alert issued by the Sheriff's Office said family members were concerned about him. They asked that anyone with information about Ramirez or who had seen him should contact CCSO at 239-252-9300.

Ramirez was last known to be traveling in the area of Collier Boulevard and Magnolia Pond Circle at around 6:15 p.m. Thursday.

Deputies described him as 5 feet 6 inches tall and 180 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. He is heavily tattooed with two full sleeves on his arms. He was last seen wearing blue jeans and a dark colored polo shirt.

WGCU is your trusted source for news and information in Southwest Florida. We are a nonprofit public service, and your support is more critical than ever. Keep public media strong and donate now. Thank you.
Tags
Human Interest Collier County Sheriff's OfficeMissing Persons
WGCU Staff
See stories by WGCU Staff
Trusted by over 30,000 local subscribers

Local News, Right Sized for Your Morning

Quick briefs when you are busy, deeper explainers when it matters, delivered early morning and curated by WGCU editors.

  • Environment
  • Local politics
  • Health
  • And more

Free and local. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

More from WGCU
  • Environment
    Gray Catbirds – “Skulkers” and Hunters in Dense Vegetation
    Dr. Jerry Jackson
    Gray Catbirds are in a bird family known as the “Mimidae” – because they mimic other birds, other animals, and even mechanical sounds. Other members of their family in Florida include the Brown Thrasher and the Northern Mockingbird – two excellent mimics that we often see and hear year-round as they feed, sing, and nest in relatively open vegetation. They often mimic the vocalizations of other bird species and it has been suggested that their mimicry may send the message that the area is crowded – and cause other birds to search for food elsewhere.
  • American bald eagle at Myakka State park, Sarasota
    Environment
    Florida state parks offer free admission for all on Veterans Day
    WGCU Staff
     As the nation prepares to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection invites Floridians to reflect on the people and places that shaped the nation’s story and the service members who have safeguarded it. On Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11, Florida State Parks will offer free admission for all visitors to recognize and thank those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. 
  • Screenshot
    Culture and Connections
    New agreement aims to help Lee County families before crisis hits
    Elizabeth Andarge
    In Lee County, a new partnership is aiming to keep more families together before they enter the foster care system.