The body of 22-year-old Eliotte Heinz, a graduate student from Wisconsin, was recovered Wednesday morning from the Mississippi River, ending a four-day search that began after she went missing early Sunday.
Heinz was last seen around 3:30 a.m. walking near the riverfront in La Crosse, Wisconsin, after leaving Broncos Bar. Surveillance footage later captured her walking toward her apartment, less than a mile away. Her body was discovered just before 10:30 a.m. near Brownsville, Minnesota — more than a dozen miles from where she was last seen.
La Crosse Police confirmed the discovery and said an investigation is ongoing pending autopsy results.
“This was not the outcome we had hoped for,” said Police Chief Shawn Kudron. “Our thoughts are with Eliotte’s family, friends, and everyone who knew her.”
Family and University Mourn Loss
Heinz, a mental health counseling student at Viterbo University, was remembered by her family as a kind and compassionate young woman.
“She had the biggest heart,” her mother, Amber Heinz, told Fox News earlier Wednesday. “She was beautiful inside and out.”
In a statement, Viterbo University President Rick Trietley expressed deep sorrow over the loss, adding that the school will hold a memorial service in the fall once students return to campus.
“There are no words to ease the pain of losing someone so young, with so much life ahead,” he said.
The Heinz family thanked the community for its overwhelming support throughout the search.
Timeline and Investigation
Friends searching for Heinz initially found her phone. Authorities have since reviewed surveillance footage and are examining digital data and witness accounts to piece together what happened.
FBI Agent Jason Pack told Fox News that investigators are working to determine whether Heinz was alone or possibly encountered someone during her walk home.
Rideshare services Uber and Lyft confirmed they are not involved in the case.
Riverfront Safety in Focus
The Mississippi River waterfront near downtown La Crosse has long been considered a safety concern. In response to past incidents, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and local partners created River Watch in 2006 — a volunteer patrol program aimed at preventing river-related tragedies, especially those involving alcohol. It’s unclear whether the program was active the night Heinz went missing, as school was not in session.
Anyone with information related to the case is urged to contact La Crosse Police at 608-782-7575 or submit an anonymous tip via La Crosse Area Crime Stoppers at 608-784-TIPS or online at p3tips.com/459.
