(WLUK) — The body of Eliotte Heinz, a missing Hortonville High School graduate, has been recovered in the Mississippi River.
Around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, the La Crosse Police Department was notified by authorities from Houston County, Minnesota, that a body had been located in the Mississippi River, near Brownsville. That’s about 17 minutes from La Crosse, where Heinz went missing.
Officials confirmed the body was that of Eliotte Heinz, 22. Police continue to investigate and are awaiting the results of an autopsy for an official cause of death.
“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,” said La Crosse Police Chief Shawn Kudron.
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.
Heinz was last seen in the early morning hours Sunday. Police released a surveillance image of her walking in an area near the Mississippi River. She was attending Viterbo University in La Crosse.
Heinz’s family took part in search efforts. Eliotte’s mother thanked volunteers who helped search and hang up flyers.