La Crosse neighborhood requires security measures after scholar present in river

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LA CROSSE, Wisc. – The tragic discovery of Viterbo University graduate scholar Eliotte Heinz's physique within the Mississippi River this week left the La Crosse, Wisconsin, neighborhood in shock, remembering the 22-year-old for her candy demeanor and reigniting requires elevated vigilance within the bustling school city.

Heinz disappeared early Sunday whereas strolling dwelling after an evening out at bars with buddies. 4 days later, a fisherman discovered her physique within the Mississippi River close to Brownsville, Minnesota.

Jonathan Strike, who lives in Heinz's house constructing, advised Fox Information that Heinz had solely moved in just a few months in the past, however her kindness radiated locally.

"Very candy, quiet woman," Strike stated. "[She] all the time stated ‘Hello’ each time she walked by. Ever since she moved in, [she] all the time made an try and be as pleasant as she will be, even with my canine leaping throughout all people. It is simply heartbreaking."

Authorities have been desperately trying to find lacking grad scholar Eliotte Heinz, 22, who was final seen early Sunday. She was discovered 4 days later within the Mississippi River. (Pictures courtesy of Amber Heinz)

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"She made the neighborhood higher," Strike stated, including that Heinz had usually run via the neighborhood. "If she ever had a nasty day, we would not know. She by no means gave off these vibes. She was all the time blissful, all the time candy, even on days when it was sizzling and humid like immediately."

Whereas Strike hadn't ever seen Heinz strolling or working within the early morning hours, he famous it would not have been uncommon.

"This can be a school city. I'm going to work at 2 a.m. and I nonetheless see them strolling … for essentially the most half, all people does it. There are bars each two blocks," he stated. "I've taken my canine for a stroll at 2 a.m., and it is by no means been actually a difficulty."

Exterior view of Bronco's Bar in La Crosse, WI, Wednesday, July 23, 2025. The bar is the final place the place late Viterbo grad scholar Eliotte Heinz was final seen on July 20. She was discovered useless on July 23. (LB/Splash for Fox Information Digital)

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Although Strike lived in the identical constructing as Heinz, the information of her disappearance unfold so shortly, he came upon about it on social media.

"I came upon on Fb earlier than something," he stated. "I am like, 'No, that may't be her.' Then I noticed her mother and father throughout the road, and I simply broke down. They have been attempting very laborious to carry out hope, and it was a tough few days. I am simply glad she's in a greater place now."

Whereas it's unclear how Heinz ended up within the river, native authorities on Friday stated they don't suspect any foul play. The investigation stays open pending closing post-mortem outcomes.

Viterbo College graduate scholar, Eliotte Heinz, was discovered useless within the Mississippi River in Brownsville, WI, on Thursday, July 24, 2025. Her physique was found throughout from a marine bar. (LB/Splash for Fox Information Digital)

Strike urged the neighborhood to test in on family and friends, emphasizing tht "it may occur to anyone."

"Do not ever, particularly [during] twilight, stroll dwelling," he stated. "[It doesn't] matter how huge or small you might be. In the event you do not feel secure … name someone, as a result of this might have been prevented 100%."

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Allison Forst, who was within the psychological well being counseling program with Heinz, described her as somebody who was all the time "actually smiley," including that "it was laborious to be unhappy round her."

"I did [feel safe walking around downtown] till this occurred," Forst stated about Heinz's disappearance . "I am much more harassed simply strolling round by myself and being by myself. I all the time thought La Crosse was fairly secure, and I did not actually have any worries about it. Now, I am somewhat extra apprehensive."

One other younger lady in downtown La Crosse, who wished to stay nameless, harassed the significance of remaining in a gaggle whereas ingesting.

A poster of Eliotte Heinz hangs in downtown La Crosse, Wisconsin, on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. (Stepheny Worth for Fox Information Digital)

"I might say, nonetheless many buddies you include, ensure that complete group is with you whenever you're bar hopping, if you find yourself leaving to go dwelling," stated the girl, who grew up within the metropolis. "Use your neighborhood, use your mates, and do not let anybody get dwelling on their very own, irrespective of how shut their house is, as a result of the river is actual shut."

"I'd love for buddies to look out for buddies," she added. "If there are any further security precautions we will take by the river throughout these bar occasions, that may be superior. I actually haven't got all of the solutions. I simply need our college students and downtown residents to be secure."

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Whereas native officers have remained pretty quiet in regards to the security issues close to the river within the days following Heinz's loss of life, Metropolis Council Member Lisa Weston, who represents District 12, advised Fox Information Digital that potential modifications in downtown should not "out of the query."

Eliotte Heinz, 22, was a graduate scholar at Viterbo College. (Pictures courtesy of Amber Heinz)

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"I feel it is all the time value having conversations about enough public security," Weston stated. "I do not assume it additionally takes the loss of life of a youngster to require a evaluate of our security protocols. Sadly, La Crosse has had a historical past of shedding younger of us within the river over the past 30 years. So, sadly, it is not new, and it would not make it any much less tragic."

The University of Wisconsin River Watch, a program began in 2006 to forestall alcohol-related unintended drownings, reported that eight school college students drowned within the Mississippi River because of extreme ingesting between 1997 and 2006.

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Weston added that going ahead, she thinks there might be an ongoing dialog about river security within the downtown space.

"It will not simply be city police , it will not simply be the town council, it would even be leaders inside the neighborhood that can weigh in," she stated.

Alexandra Koch is a Fox Information Digital journalist who covers breaking information, with a give attention to high-impact occasions that form nationwide dialog and affect authorities response.