Woman Missing in La Crosse Found Dead in River Near Brownsville

Jul 23

A 22-year-old woman reported missing in La Crosse was found dead Wednesday morning in the Mississippi River near Brownsville, Minn., authorities confirmed.

Eliotte Heinz had last been seen around 3:22 a.m. Sunday walking south on the 500 block of Front Street South in downtown La Crosse, Wisc..

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On their Facebook page, the Houston County Sheriff's Office reports that their dispatch received a call from a fisherman at approximately 10:15 a.m. saying he located the body in the Mississippi River just south of Larence Lake Marina.

Police and family members had been searching for Heinz since she was reported missing on July 20. She was described as 5'4", about 120 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes. At the time of her disappearance, she was believed to be wearing a white T-shirt and jean shorts.

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On Wednesday morning, hours before her body was located, La Crosse Police issued a public request asking downtown businesses and residents to review security footage between 2 a.m. and 9 a.m. Sunday for any sightings of Heinz. That appeal followed an earlier statement asking for help locating her, noting multiple attempts by friends, family and law enforcement to find her.

“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,” La Crosse Police Chief Shawn Kudron said in a written statement.

Authorities said the cause of death has not been determined and an autopsy will be conducted. The investigation remains active.

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