LS ‘Body of grad student who vanished after leaving Wisconsin bar found in Mississippi River ‘

The Wisconsin graduate student who mysteriously vanished after leaving a waterfront bar in Wisconsin early Sunday morning was tragically found dead in the Mississippi River Wednesday.

Eliotte Heinz, 22, was discovered in the river just before 10:30 a.m. near Brownsville, Minnesota – more than 10 miles from where she was last seen – following an exhaustive four day search, authorities said.

“This was not the outcome we had hoped for throughout this search,” La Crosse Police Chief Shawn Kudron said in a statement.

Photo of Eliotte Heinz and her dog.
The Wisconsin graduate student mysteriously vanished after leaving a waterfront bar in Wisconsin early Sunday morning. La Crosse Police Department

“Our thoughts are with Eliotte’s family, friends and all those who knew Eliotte. We are grateful for the outpouring of support from so many within the La Crosse community, the state of Wisconsin and nationally to locate Elliotte.”

Heinz, who was enrolled at Viterbo College, had been at the Bronco Bar in the college town for a night out with friends, who said she left around 2:30 a.m. Sunday.

Security footage caught her about an hour later walking near the Mississippi River waterfront, about a 30-minute walk from the bar — the last time she was seen.

The missing student’s loved ones, who reported her missing Sunday morning after several failed attempts to contact her, launched a frantic search around town with help from police and community volunteers.

Photo of Eliotte Heinz in front of Herbert R. Steiner Residence Hall.
Heinz’s body was found after a thorough search of the Mississippi River. Facebook / Eliotte Heinz

The family also pleaded with those living in the areas where she was seen to review their security camera footage in the early hours of Sunday.

Heinz’s cellphone was reportedly found by her friends during the desperate search that saw police and volunteers scouring the banks of the Mississippi River near where she was last seen and the area around her apartment. 

Law enforcement boats searching the Mississippi River.
Grad student Eliotte Heinz was found in the Mississippi River in Minnesota on Wednesday. WKBT

Viterbo University said the school would hold a memorial service for Eliotte in the fall, in coordination with the victim’s family, when students return to campus.

“There are no words that can ease the pain of losing someone so young, with so much life ahead of her,” Viterbo University President Dr. Rick Trietley said in a statement.

Surveillance image of Eliotte Heinz walking down a sidewalk.
Her body was found 10 miles from where she was last seen. La Crosse Police Department

“Our hearts go out to Eliotte’s family. We hold them in our prayers and stand with them in their grief.”

Her heartbroken mother, Amber, told Fox & Friends earlier Wednesday that her missing daughter was “beautiful inside and out.”

“She has got the biggest heart and unending kindness for everyone,” the devastated mom said. 

“I think that is noted by how many people have showed up for her.”

La Crosse police said the investigation will remain active as they await autopsy results for an official cause of death. 

  • Tienmhs

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