The search for 22-year-old college student Eliotte Heinz came to a heartbreaking end on July 23, when authorities confirmed her body was found in the Mississippi River near Brownsville, Minnesota. Eliotte had been missing since the early morning of July 20, after last being seen walking near Front Street South in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Her disappearance prompted days of searches and community support.

Surveillance footage showed Eliotte leaving a local bar around 2:30 a.m., believed to be heading home. When she didn’t arrive, her family and police issued a missing persons alert. The La Crosse community and volunteers joined efforts to locate her, but no leads emerged until a fisherman discovered a body in the river three days later. Authorities confirmed the identity soon after.

La Crosse Police Chief Shawn Kudron expressed condolences to Eliotte’s loved ones, stating, “This was not the outcome we had hoped for.” Viterbo University, where Eliotte was a student, also issued a statement mourning her loss and announced a memorial service would be held in her honor this fall.

An investigation into her death remains ongoing, and an autopsy will determine the official cause. Eliotte’s family had previously appealed to the public for any information, asking nearby residents to check security footage for possible sightings. Their call for help reflected the deep concern and hope shared by all who knew her.