Wisconsin grad student’s body recovered from Mississippi River after search

Authorities discovered the physique of a lacking scholar Eliote Heinz in Wisconsin within the Mississippi River on Wednesday after 4 heartbreaking days of looking out.

Heinz, 22, disappeared as he walked house from Broncos Bar in La Crosse, Wisconsin at about 2:30 am on Sunday, in response to the La Crosse Police Division.

She was final seen round 3:30 am alongside the waterfront of the Mississippi River and later noticed on surveillance photographs that ran within the route of her residence, which was three -quarters of a mile distance.

Her physique was discovered within the river simply earlier than 10.30 am native time Wednesday close to Brownsville, Minnesota – greater than a dozen miles of her final recognized location.

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Eliote Heinz, 22, was lacking at the start of Sunday in La Crosse, Wisconsin. (Metropolis of La Crosse)

The La Crosse police proceed to analyze and anticipate post-mortem outcomes for an official reason for loss of life.

La Crosse Police Chief Shawn Kudron mentioned that your complete division is sending its condolences.

“This was not the consequence we had hoped for throughout this search,” Kudron wrote in a press release. “Our ideas are with Eliotte’s household, buddies and all those that knew Eliote. We’re grateful for the outpouring of assist from a lot inside the La Crosse neighborhood, the state of Wisconsin and nationwide to seek out Eliote.”

Heinz’s mom, Amber, mentioned “Fox and Associates” earlier Wednesday that her daughter “was stunning in and out.”

“She has the best coronary heart and infinite kindness for everybody,” mentioned her mom. “I believe that’s observed by how many individuals have come for her.”

Heinz’s dad and mom knew one thing was flawed after they could not attain their daughter on Sunday morning. Her household, buddies and native police have “made totally different makes an attempt to seek out her with out success,” the authorities mentioned in a press release.

In line with her mom, the cell phone from Heinz was established by her buddies in the course of the search.

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Members of the Lacrosse Hearth Division are searching for the Mississippi River in La Crosse, WI, Wednesday, July 23, 2025. (LB/Splash for Fox Information Digital)

“She’s our oldest,” mentioned Amber Heinz. “So her brother and sister, and her father and I need her again.”

Viterbo College beforehand shared a press release on Fb from the Heinz household whereas arguing for the protected return of the graduate scholar.

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Members of the Lacrosse Hearth Division are searching for the Mississippi River in Lacrosse, Wi, Wednesday, July 23, 2025. (LB/Splash for Fox Information Digital)

“On behalf of our entire household, thanks,” wrote the Heinz household. “The outpouring of assist within the seek for Eliote has been overwhelming and we’re deeply grateful for the friendliness, prayers and encouragement of the neighborhood after which.”

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Heinz was a scholar within the counseling program of Viterbo’s Psychological Well being Counseling, her mom informed Fox Information Digital.

“In a case like this, the primary precedence to reconstruct the timeline,” informed FBI agent Jason Pack to Fox Information Digital. “Researchers revise surveillance photographs, gather witness statements and have a look at each phone, social media or monetary actions that may assist decide the place she went and whether or not she was alone.”

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Rideshare Providers Uber and Lyft informed Fox Information Digital that they aren’t concerned within the analysis.

In line with Pack, researchers are in all probability busy figuring out whether or not Heinz was alone on the time of her disappearance and whether or not she left voluntarily.

Authorities are desperately searching for lacking Grad -student Eliote Heinz, 22, who was final seen on Sunday. (Picture because of Amber Heinz)

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“If researchers imagine that there was a kidnapping, or if there may be proof that the particular person has exceeded state strains or was taken over them, the federal involvement turns into extra possible,” Pack mentioned. “The FBI may be requested by native or nationwide authorities when a case wants additional assist or experience.”

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Eliote Heinz, 22, is a gradate scholar at Viterbo College. (Pictures because of Amber Heinz)

Hazard alongside the river

Previously, that space close to the Mississippi River has been a cause for native officers.

In 2006, the College of Wisconsin launched in La Crosse “River Watch”, an initiative on a campus in La Crosse that tries to forestall alcohol-related unintentional drowning within the Mississippi River.

Sigma Tau Gamma At UW-LA Crosse, coordinating this system took over in 2007, though scholar volunteers from all three campuses come to La Crosse.

Volunteers who entice reflective cardigans, flashlights and different gear patrol each weekend in the course of the educational yr on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night within the service of a minimum of two.

They cease everybody who walks into the park after closing time and accompany those that could also be intoxicated, away from the river, in response to the River Watch web site.

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Companions embrace De La Crosse Metropolis Police Division, Radisson Resort La Crosse, College of Wisconsin-LA Crosse, Viterbo College and Western Technical Faculty.

For the reason that college yr had not but began, it’s unclear whether or not this system was energetic within the night time of the disappearance of Heinz.

River Watch didn’t instantly reply to questions from Fox Information Digital.

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Anybody with details about Heinz’s place of residence is requested to name the non-emergency variety of the police at 608-782-7575.

Info may also be despatched anonymously to La Crosse Space Crime stoppers at 608-784 suggestions or submitted on-line at https://www.p3tips.com/459.

The La Crosse police didn’t instantly reply to FOX Information Digital’s request for remark.