La Crosse, WI – The La Crosse County Medical Examiner’s Office has determined that 22-year-old Eliotte Heinz’s cause of death was drowning, and the manner of death was ruled accidental. This conclusion follows an autopsy report released on Thursday, shedding light on the tragic events surrounding the graduate student’s disappearance and death.
What Happened
Eliotte Heinz, a Viterbo University student, was last seen on the night of July 20, 2025, around 2:30 a.m. as she walked home from Broncos Bar in La Crosse, Wisconsin. After a night out with friends, Heinz vanished, and her family and friends were left in distress. Three days later, on July 23, her body was discovered by a fisherman in the Mississippi River near Brownsville, Minnesota, more than 12 miles away from where she was last seen.
Despite the prolonged time between her disappearance and recovery, the La Crosse County Medical Examiner found no signs of trauma. The autopsy report stated there were “no gross evidence of trauma,” and no indications of foul play, physical assault, or inflicted harm. This finding indicates that the death was accidental and not due to any criminal activity.
Toxicology Findings
Toxicology results revealed that Heinz had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.19%, which is nearly two and a half times the legal driving limit of 0.08%. A BAC of 0.19% is associated with severe impairment of motor skills, speech, vision, and reasoning. However, no drugs were detected in her system.
Health experts suggest that such a high BAC likely contributed to her inability to safely navigate her walk home. Experts also note that alcohol-related drownings in similar circumstances, particularly involving impaired walking near water, are unfortunately common.
The Impact of Eliotte’s Loss
Eliotte was last seen on surveillance footage walking along the Mississippi River waterfront at approximately 3:30 a.m. before heading toward her apartment. Just hours later, her body was found face down in the river. The discovery of her body, wrapped in duckweed, by the young fisherman brought an end to the search, but the pain of her loss is deeply felt by her family and the La Crosse community.
Her family remembered her as a “beautiful person,” sharing in a statement to Fox News Digital, “She was smart, funny, caring, and loved fiercely by us. We don’t know why we were so blessed to have her as a daughter, or why we are unable to keep her.” Her family added that Eliotte’s unexpected passing has left them devastated, saying, “We are devastated that she is no longer with us. Our family will forever have a missing piece.”
Community Tributes
Friends and classmates of Eliotte, as well as members of the La Crosse community, have expressed deep sadness over her loss. Jonathan Strike, a neighbor from her apartment building, described her as “a very sweet, quiet girl,” highlighting her kindness to everyone around her. He fondly recalled, “She always said ‘Hi’ every time she walked by. Ever since she moved in, she always made an attempt to be as friendly as she can be, even with my dog jumping all over everybody.”
The grief of Eliotte’s passing extends beyond her immediate family, with the wider community mourning the loss of a young woman who had so much potential. Her tragic death serves as a reminder of the dangers of excessive drinking, particularly in environments near bodies of water.
The University’s Involvement
The University of Wisconsin River Watch, a program designed to prevent alcohol-related drownings, reported that eight college students had drowned in the Mississippi River due to excessive drinking between 1997 and 2006. While Eliotte’s death occurred years after this report, it highlights an ongoing issue of alcohol-related drownings.
Conclusion
Eliotte Heinz’s death is a devastating reminder of the risks associated with alcohol and its impact on one’s ability to make safe decisions. The La Crosse community, her family, and friends will continue to honor her memory, holding on to the joy she brought to those around her. As her family copes with their loss, they have expressed a desire to keep her memory alive, remembering her as a bright and beautiful soul taken far too soon.
This story may be updated with more information as the investigation continues.
