Search on for missing Wisconsin grad student: Eliotte Heinz last seen walking alone; family, police seek help

Authorities in La Crosse, Wisconsin, are asking for public support as they search for Eliotte Heinz , a 22-year-old graduate student who went missing early Sunday morning. She was last seen walking alone from Broncos Bar near the Mississippi River around 3:30 am, heading towards her apartment, roughly a 30-minute walk away.

Originally from a small town, Heinz is studying mental health counselling at Viterbo University . Her family said she had been out with friends and left the bar alone. CCTV footage shows her walking in the direction of her home, but she never made it there.

Her mother, Amber Heinz, told Fox News, “She’s our oldest child. Her siblings, her dad, and I just want her back.” The family realised something was wrong when they couldn’t reach her on Sunday morning. Friends later found her phone during their search efforts.

Police and the community have continued combing the area. The La Crosse Police Department said multiple resources are being used to follow up on tips. They're also asking residents to check home camera footage from 2 am to 6 am on Sunday.

Eliotte is 5 feet 4 inches tall, with blonde hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and jean shorts.

The university and her family have both shared public appeals, asking people to keep circulating Eliotte’s details online. “The support has been overwhelming,” the family said in a Facebook post, “but we still need help.”