Abc News Reports : La Crosse, Wisconsin — Eliotte Heinz, a 22-year-old graduate student at Viterbo University, has been found dead in the Mississippi River, according to the La Crosse Police Department. Her body was recovered near Brownsville, Minnesota, on Wednesday, following her disappearance early Sunday morning.
Heinz was last seen around 3:22 a.m. on Sunday near the river after leaving Bronco’s Bar at approximately 2:30 a.m. The police confirmed the tragic news, expressing their condolences to Heinz’s family and friends. “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 her,” the police stated.
The investigation is ongoing, with officials awaiting the results of an autopsy to determine the official cause of death.
Heinz’s family shared their devastation over the loss, describing her as a “beautiful person” who was “loved fiercely.” “We don’t know why we were so blessed to have her as a daughter or why we are unable to keep her,” they said in a statement. “Eliotte’s walk home is finished. Unfortunately, our family’s walk down this new hard path is just the beginning.”
Viterbo University expressed its sorrow over the loss, stating, “Our community is heartbroken by this loss,” and extended its deepest sympathies to her family and friends. University President Rick Trietley noted, “There are no words that can ease the pain of losing someone so young, with so much life ahead of her.”
Prior to the discovery of her body, Heinz’s family had thanked the community for its overwhelming support during the search efforts. Viterbo University plans to hold a memorial service for Heinz this fall, in coordination with her family, once students return to campus.
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