Eliotte Heinz was a young graduate student from La Crosse, Wisconsin, who was recently found dead in the Mississippi River just three days after going missing
Her recent disappearance sparked a widespread search across state lines, with local law enforcement and community members joining the search.
Heinz vanished early Sunday while walking home from a night out with her friends in downtown La Crosse, Wisconsin and officials finally found her body on Wednesday near Brownsville, Minnesota, more than 10 miles from where she was last seen.
Who was Eliotte Heinz as missing La Crosse, Wisconsin girl is found dead and what was her cause of death
HAVE YOU SEEN THIS GIRL?
“A graduate student vanished along the MISSISSIPPI RIVER after leaving a bar early Sunday morning – and the 22-year-old's desperate parents are begging for help finding her days later.
Eliotte Heinz, who is enrolled at Viterbo College in LA CROSSE,… pic.twitter.com/51sB7LRjkS
— Stella X (@stellaaaaaax) July 22, 2025
Eliotte Heinz (22) was last seen around 3:22am on July 20th in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She was walking southbound on the 500 Block of Front Street. Police are using drones and dive teams to search the Mississippi River. #MissingPerson pic.twitter.com/Zoso0z5BcF
— Rose (@901Lulu) July 22, 2025
Heinz was reportedly last seen walking home after a night out with friends, before the journey tragically ended in heartbreak.
Eliotte Heinz found dead in river after going missing
Authorities in Wisconsin have reportedly found the deceased body of Eliotte Heinz, who recently went missing in the early morning hours of Sunday, July 20. Eliotte had previously gone missing after leaving Bronco’s Bar in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Upon investigation, surveillance footage showed her walking alone on Front Street South near the Mississippi River at around 3:22 a.m. According to her family members, she was heading home when she disappeared.
The Houston County Sheriff’s Department in Minnesota on July 23 notified authorities that they had recovered her body from the Mississippi River near Brownsville, following which the La Crosse Police confirmed her identity.
Cause of death
Authorities are still awaiting autopsy results to determine the exact cause of death and have stated that the investigation remains active. According to La Crosse Police Chief Shawn Kudron:
This was not the outcome we had hoped for throughout this search. Our thoughts are with Eliotte’s family, friends, and all those who knew her. We are grateful for the outpouring of support from the La Crosse community, the State of Wisconsin, and nationally.”
Tributes and condolences
Following the news about Eliotte’s tragic death, netizens have been pouring in with tributes and condolences. Eliotte’s mother, Amber Heinz, spoke during a prayer service held at Viterbo University, saying:
We love you, we miss you, and we’re doing everything we can to get you back to us.”
She further added:
Even if you don’t think it’s a big deal, it could be a really big deal for her.”
One netizen stated:
Heartbreaking. She had so much ahead of her.”
Another user shared:
We were all hoping for a miracle. My heart breaks for her family.”
Eliotte Heinz biography and age
Eliotte Heinz was a resident of La Crosse, Wisconsin, who recently passed away after previously going missing. She was just 22 years old at the time of her death, and her friends and classmates remember her for her intelligence, empathy, and easygoing nature. Eliotte’s friends remembered her as someone who brought warmth to any room she entered. While not much is known about Eliotte Heinz’s family, her mother’s name was Amber Heinz, and she led the family’s efforts to bring her daughter home.
Update
So sad to inform that Eliotte Heinz was found deceased in the Mississippi River.
She was 22.
She went out drinking with friends.
Somehow, she was left alone.
The manner and cause of death are pending.#Wisconsin pic.twitter.com/TOZSZSGMp1
— Jennifer Coffindaffer (@CoffindafferFBI) July 24, 2025
Education
Eliotte Heinz was a student at Viterbo University, where she was completing her graduate degree at the time of her death. During the search, the university community supported the search and has expressed deep sorrow following the confirmation of her death.
Heinz was enrolled in Viterbo University’s mental health counseling program.