The family of a missing graduate student are desperately seeking answers after she disappeared on a night out with friends.
Eliotte Heinz, 22, vanished along the Mississippi River after leaving a bar in the early hours of Sunday morning in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Heinz, a graduate student at Viterbo College, was last observed on surveillance footage while walking along the waterfront in the 500 block of Front Street South at approximately 3:22 am.
Family members said she was on her way back to her apartment when the footage was captured.
Less than an hour earlier, Heinz had been at Bronco’s Bar in the city’s downtown area, but left around 2.30am.
Eliotte Heinz, 22, vanished along the Mississippi River after leaving a bar in the early hours of Sunday morning in La Crosse, Wisconsin
She was last seen on surveillance camera walking along the waterfront in the 500 block of Front Street South at around 3:22am
On Monday, law enforcement used drones and dive units to search along the banks of the Mississippi River behind Front Street.
Another search effort began at 8am Tuesday, with volunteers meeting at the Viterbo University School of Nursing building.
A spokesperson for La Crosse PD said investigators have received an influx of tips regarding her whereabouts over the last 48 hours.
Heinz’s parents and two siblings spent Monday handing out fliers across the city.
In an emotional press conference, her mom, Amber Heinz, described her daughter as a smart and responsible person.
‘She needs to be back home with us. That’s where she was trying to go and we need her to be able to complete that,’ said Amber, fighting back tears.
‘We love you, we miss you, and we’re doing everything we can to get you back to us.’
In an emotional press conference, her mom, Amber Heinz, described her daughter as a smart and responsible person
Heinz had been with a group of friends at Bronco’s Bar in the city’s downtown area, but left around 2.30am Sunday
Amber urged anyone with a security camera to review their recordings, and asked anyone who has any information, no matter how minor or seemingly trivial, to come forward and relay that information to the police.
‘If you have seen anything, even if it’s small – anything at all – please call the La Crosse Police Department,’ Amber added.
‘If you have Ring cameras and you think that you might have captured an image of Eliotte, please call them, let them take a look at your footage.
‘Even if you don’t think it’s a big deal, it might be something that’s a really big deal for her.’
Her brother, Brett Heinz, also shared that her disappearance is ‘tearing our family apart.’
‘Everyone is just really messed up right now. We don’t know where Eliotte is. We need to find her,’ said Brett.
Heinz is described as being five-foot-four, weighing around 120 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes.
She was last seen wearing a grey T-shirt and denim shorts.
Heinz is working on her doctorate in psychology at Viterbo College
Heinz is described as being five-foot-four, weighing around 120 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes
Heniz is originally from Hortonville, Wisconsin, which is roughly three hours east of La Crosse.
In a post on a local bulletin board, her family shared that Heinz is working on her doctorate in psychology.
“Eliotte Heinz is missing, and our family is devastated,” the post read. “She is responsible, kind, and deeply cherished. Her sudden vanishing is entirely uncharacteristic.”
‘We just want Eliotte home. This nightmare has shaken us to the core.
In a statement on Tuesday afternoon, La Crosse PD said it’s search for Heinz was ongoing.
‘Numerous resources are being utilized as we continue to receive tips and follow up with the information,’ the department said.
‘Thank you to the community for your support and assistance.’
Tips and information can be made by calling the police department’s non-emergency line at 608-782-7575. Anonymous tips can be made by calling La Crosse Area Crime Stoppers at 608-784-TIPS or online.
