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    Body of Missing Student Eliotte Heinz Found in Mississippi River

    La Crosse community mourns the tragic loss as authorities await autopsy results

    NEED TO KNOW
    • 22-year-old Eliotte Heinz was reported missing on July 20, 2025.
    • Her body was recovered in the Mississippi River near Brownsville, MN.
    • The La Crosse Police Department confirmed the discovery on July 23, 2025.
    • An autopsy is pending to determine the official cause of death.
    • Viterbo University and community members expressed deep grief over the loss.

    The Big Picture

    A tragic search has ended in heartbreak as authorities confirmed the death of 22-year-old graduate student Eliotte Heinz, whose body was found in the Mississippi River. Heinz had gone missing early Sunday morning after leaving a bar in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Her disappearance triggered a widespread search effort involving local and regional agencies.

    Eliotte Heinz

    What’s New

    According to the La Crosse Police Department, Heinz’s body was discovered by the Houston County Sheriff’s Department at approximately 10:28 AM on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in the river near Brownsville, Minnesota.

    The police stated that the case remains under active investigation, and the official cause of death will be determined by a pending autopsy.

    What They’re Saying

    La Crosse Police Chief Shawn Kudron shared a statement expressing the department’s sorrow:

    “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.”

    Viterbo University in La Crosse, where Heinz was a student, also issued a statement:

    “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.” – President Rick Trietley, Viterbo University

    What’s Next

    Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances of Heinz’s disappearance and death. The results of the autopsy are expected to clarify how she died. Meanwhile, students and faculty at Viterbo University are planning memorial services to honor her life and legacy.

    The Bottom Line

    The untimely death of Eliotte Heinz has shocked the La Crosse community and beyond. As authorities work to uncover what happened, tributes pour in for a young woman remembered for her kindness, intellect, and potential.


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