Autopsy report shows no foul play in Viterbo graduate student’s death

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WEAU) – Through an open records request, WEAU has obtained the autopsy report of late Viterbo graduate student Eliotte Heinz- confirming the 22-year-old’s death was an accidental drowning.

WEAU obtained the autopsy report through the La Crosse County Medical Examiner’s Office.

As we’ve reported, Heinz was reported missing on July 20, and her body was found three days later on July 23rd near Brownsville, Minnesota.

The Houston County Sheriff’s Department told La Crosse police her body was found in the Mississippi River.

After performing the autopsy, the report said medical staff believe Heinz died via drowning, and that her manner of death is accidental. They also noted there was no gross evidence of trauma.

Her toxicological studies were negative for illicit substances and positive for alcohol. The lab results showed a .193 alcohol level. That’s more than twice the legal driving limit in Wisconsin.

The clinic summary also outlines a timeline of events the early morning she went missing.

On July 19, Heinz was in downtown La Crosse visiting multiple bars and was noted on multiple cameras.

She left one of the businesses at 2:30 a.m. on July 20th. The summary says she was seen alone and did not appear in distress.

Multiple cameras noted her heading south to southwest until 3:39 a.m. when she was seen moving to the bank of the main channel of the Mississippi River.

Camera further recorded her leaving the water at 4:09 a.m. but then returning in the opposite direction back to the embankment.

Her smart watch was reviewed after her death. It recorded her last steps at 4:30 a.m. with a final heart rate recording at 7:30 a.m.

La Crosse police were called at 10:26 a.m. for a welfare check after Heinz had not returned home.

Her cell phone was found along the route that cameras recording her walking. No evidence of foul play or possible suicidal ideation were found on her cell or other electronics from home.

On July 23, her body was found in the Mississippi river by a bystander around 10:20 a.m. who contacted local authorities.