La Crosse, WI – The La Crosse County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that the cause of death of 22-year-old Eliot Heinz was drowning, and the manner of death was ruled accidental. The findings come after an autopsy report released Thursday sheds light on the tragic events surrounding the graduate student’s disappearance and death.
What happened
Viterbo University student Eliot Heinz was last seen around 2:30 a.m. on July 20, 2025, as she walked home from Broncos Bar in La Crosse, Wisconsin. After a night out with friends, Heinz disappears, and his family and friends are thrown into crisis. Three days later, on July 23, her body was found by a fisherman in the Mississippi River near Brownsville, Minnesota, more than 12 miles from where she was last seen.
Despite the long time between her disappearance and recovery, the La Crosse County Medical Examiner found no signs of trauma. The autopsy report stated that there was “no concrete evidence of trauma”, and there was no indication of foul play, physical assault or harm. This finding suggests that the death was accidental and not due to any criminal activity.
toxicological findings
Toxicology results showed that Heinz had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.19%, approximately 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 found in his system.
Health experts suggest that with a BAC so high she may be unable to walk home safely. Experts also note that alcohol-induced drowning in similar circumstances, especially the inability to walk near water, is unfortunately common.
Effect of Eliot’s defeat
Eliot was last seen on surveillance footage walking along the banks of the Mississippi River at approximately 3:30 a.m. before heading toward her apartment. A few hours later his body was found face down in the river. The discovery of her body wrapped in duckweed by a young fisherman ended the search, but the pain of her loss is felt deeply by her family and the La Crosse community.
Her family remembered her as a “beautiful human being”, sharing in a statement to Fox News Digital, “She was smart, funny, caring and we loved her very much. We don’t know why we were so lucky to have her as a daughter, or why we are unable to keep her.” His family said Eliot’s unexpected passing has devastated them, saying, “We are devastated that he is no longer with us. Our family will always have a missing piece.”
community tribute
Eliot’s friends and classmates, as well as members of the La Crosse community, have expressed deep sorrow over her loss. Jonathan Strike, a neighbor in 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’ whenever she passed by. Ever since she’s been there, she’s always tried to be as friendly as she can, even with my dog jumping on everyone.”
The grief over Eliot’s passing extends beyond her immediate family, with the wider community mourning the passing of a young woman who had so much potential. His tragic death is a reminder of the dangers of excessive drinking, especially in environments near water bodies.
University involvement
The University of Wisconsin River Watch, a program designed to prevent alcohol-related drownings, reported that eight college students drowned in the Mississippi River due to excessive drinking between 1997 and 2006. While Eliot’s death occurred years after this report, it highlights an ongoing issue of alcohol-related drownings.
conclusion
The death of Eliot Heinz is a devastating reminder of the risks associated with alcohol and its impact on the ability to make safe decisions. The La Crosse community, his family and friends will continue to honor his memory, preserving the joy he brought to those around him. As her family grapples with her loss, they have expressed their desire to keep her memory alive, remembering her as a bright and beautiful soul who was taken far too soon.
This story may be updated with more information as the investigation continues.
