Eliotte Heinz missing: La Crosse Wisconsin mourn loss of missing graduate student

The body of Eliotte Heinz, the graduate student who went missing in La Crosse, Wisconsin in the early hours of July 20, has been recovered from the Mississippi River in Minnesota. The La Crosse Police Department notified the public of the recovery of Heinz’s body in a statement released on July 23, which read:

“It is with sadness that we report, at approximately 10:28am, Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025, the La Crosse Police Department was notified by the Houston County Sheriff’s Department that a body had been located.”

Sharing details of how Heinz’s body was recovered, the statement added,

“In what has been an ongoing proactive effort to locate Eliotte Heinz who had been reported missing on July 20th, 2025, today Eliotte’s body was recovered in the Mississippi River near Brownsville, MN…The entire department sends their condolences.”

The police shared that the investigation is still underway and the results of an autopsy are awaited to determine the cause of Heinz’s death.

The La Crosse Police Department also shared a statement made by Police Chief Shawn Kudron, who said,

“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 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 Eliotte.”

 

Eliotte Heinz’s case, explored

The La Crosse Police Department noted in a statement that 22-year-old Eliotte Heinz was last seen at 500 Block of Front Street South on July 20 at 3:22 am.

Asking the public to share any relevant details in the missing person case, the authorities said that unsuccessful attempts had been made by Heinz’s family and friends to locate her.

Elliotte Heinz was a graduate student at the Viterbo University. The university had been coordinating search efforts for the student, calling volunteers to its School of Nursing to search for the missing Heinz all through the day on July 22.

As per People Magazine, the university noted that Heinz was at the Bronco's Bar in La Crosse till about 2:30 am the day she went missing.

Heinz’s mother, Amber Heinz told Fox News that her daughter’s cellphone was discovered by the young student’s friends during the search.

According to Fox News, Heinz’s family shared the community La Crosse community in a statement for its efforts to locate Elliotte. The family wrote,

“On behalf of our entire family, thank you. The outpouring of support in the search for Eliotte has been overwhelming, and we are deeply grateful for the kindness, prayers, and encouragement from the community and beyond. Many of you have asked how you can help. At this time, the most important thing you can do is continue sharing Eliotte’s information on social media.”

Urging the community to take note of slight details in connection to Heinz’s disappearance, her family, as per Fox News, added,

“Even the smallest detail could make a difference. If you see anything that may help, please contact the La Crosse Police Department…Please continue to keep Eliotte and our family in your prayers.”

News 8 Channel noted that Heinz’s body was discovered at around 10:30 am near Brownsville, Minnesota on July 23 by the Houston County Sheriff's Department.

The Houston County received a 911 call from fishermen who viewed the body south of Lawrence Lake Marina.

In wake of the discovery of Heinz’s body, the Viterbo University released a joint statement with the Heinz family and the community members of La Crosse.

As per News 8 Channel, the message stated,

“Viterbo University joins the Heinz family, the La Crosse community, and all who knew and loved Eliotte in mourning her tragic passing. We are heartbroken by this loss and extend our deepest sympathies to her family and friends…Your outpouring of love reflects the very best Viterbo, our La Crosse community, and beyond.”

The University’s President Dr. Rick Trietley also mourned Heinz’s loss. According to News 8 Channel, he stated,

“There are no words that can ease the pain of losing someone so young, with so much life ahead of her. Our hearts go out to Eliotte’s family. We hold them in our prayers and stand with them in their grief.”

The University noted that it would host a memorial for Elliot Heinz during the fall when students return to campus, as per News 8 Channel.