Body of Missing Graduate Student Eliotte Heinz Found in Mississippi River

Eliotte Heinz, a 22-year-old graduate student from Viterbo University, was found dead in the Mississippi River near Brownsville, Minnesota, several days after she was last seen walking home in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Her disappearance on July 20 triggered a multi-day search involving local authorities and community members, who hoped for her safe return. Heinz was last captured on security footage around 3:22 a.m. walking near downtown La Crosse after leaving a bar, but she never reached her apartment. The La Crosse Police Department, notified by the Houston County Sheriff’s Department, continues to investigate and is awaiting autopsy results to determine the cause of death. Authorities and university officials have expressed sorrow and support for Heinz's family, while the university plans a memorial service in the fall. Community members have been urged to review security footage for additional clues as the investigation proceeds.