Body of missing Wisconsin grad student found in Mississippi River
La Crosse police said they were notified that "a body had been located" on the morning of July 23, three days after anyone had last seen or heard from Heinz. Heinz was recovered in the river near Brownsville, Minnesota, a few miles south of La Crosse, where she was last spotted.
According to a news release from the city of La Crosse, Wisconsin, "police are continuing to investigate and will await the results of an autopsy for an official cause of death. The entire department sends their condolences."
The 22-year-old who was reported missing on Sunday, July 20, was last seen leaving Bronco's Bar in La Crosse, a city near the Wisconsin-Minnesota border, about 150 miles southeast of Minneapolis, at around 2:30 a.m. local time.
'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," La Crosse Police Chief Shawn Kudron said in a statement. "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: 'We are heartbroken by this loss'
Viterbo University, where Heinz was studying mental health counseling, said in a statement that they, like the Heinz family, the La Crosse community, and all who knew and loved Eliotte, were mourning her "tragic passing."
"We are heartbroken by this loss and extend our deepest sympathies to her family and friends," the school's statement says.
The statement continued: "We are especially grateful to the La Crosse Police Department for their tireless efforts and to the many community members who showed up with compassion by searching, sharing information, offering prayers, and providing food, water, and comfort during the most difficult of days. Your outpouring of love reflects the very best Viterbo, our La Crosse community, and beyond."
Viterbo University plans to hold a memorial service for Heinz in the fall, in coordination with her family, once students return to campus for the new school year.
'There are no words that can ease the pain of losing someone so young, with so much life ahead of her," Viterbo University President Dr. Rick Trietley said in a statement. "Our hearts go out to Eliotte's family. We hold them in our prayers and stand with them in their grief."
Where was Eliotte Heinz last seen?
Heinz was last seen walking south on the 500 block of Front Street South around 3:22 a.m. local time on July 20, La Crosse police said.
Authorities, along with Heinz's family and friends, made several attempts to locate her with no success, according to the department.
Heinz's family, friends and Viterbo University called on the public to share information or footage that could help locate her.
Contributing: Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY; and David Clarey, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Body of Eliotte Heinz, missing Wisconsin grad student, found
Solve the daily Crossword
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox News
31 minutes ago
- Fox News
Clothing designer found dead on boat in Hamptons
Fox News national correspondent Bryan Llenas reports on the death of entrepreneur Martha Nolan‑O'Slatarra after she was found deceased at the Montauk Yacht Club.
CBS News
31 minutes ago
- CBS News
Large police response reported at Mariano's in Western Springs, Illinois
There is a large police response at a Mariano's store in Western Springs, Illinois, on Wednesday. The Western Springs Police Department is asking residents to avoid the area. The exact location was not immediately released. There is a Mariano's, located on Gilbert Avenue. Further details on the police investigation were not available. This is a developing story. CBS News Chicago will continue to provide updates.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Blind man walks 7 miles a day handing out flyers to find his stolen service dog: ‘Bam Bam means the world to me'
A blind Chicago man whose service dog was stolen is walking up to seven miles each day, handing out 'missing' flyers to try and find his beloved pooch. Angel Santiago, who became legally blind due to glaucoma and also manages Type 2 diabetes, says his beloved 14-year-old dachshund, Bam Bam, was stolen from the yard at his home in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood in the early hours of June 5, Fox 32 Chicago reported. Now, he walks up to seven miles each day, giving out flyers to people in hopes that someone has seen his dog. 'Bam Bam means the world to me, and I feel my body draining away. I can only do so much,' Santiago said. According to Santiago, two men entered his yard around 4 a.m. the morning of June 5, while Bam Bam was taking a bathroom break, and snatched the pup. Although Santiago heard the disturbance and even grabbed one of the suspects to try and stop him, the men were still able to get away with Bam Bam. Santiago believes the suspect he grabbed sounded like a teenager, but managed to slip out of his grasp. He said he heard Bam Bam barking as the men ran away with him. Now, two months later, he is on a mission to be reunited with Bam Bam, who acted as his service dog. Even though Santiago has been consistent in his search efforts, he says he has only received scam calls and false tips. 'I promised that I will keep walking and walking, yelling his name out. But if you could just help me with your own eyes and see if you could spot him for me,' Santiago said. 'Let your eyes be mine and look out for Bam Bam for me, please. I beg of you to help me,' he pleaded on air. While his flyers haven't amounted to anything yet, Santiago says he remains hopeful he and Bam Bam, who is microchipped, will be reunited. Authorities urge anyone who sees the dog not to call or chase him, but to lure him using treats or contact Chicago police. Solve the daily Crossword
