St. Louis, MO — In a heartbreaking turn of events, 22-year-old graduate student Eliotte Heinz, who had been reported missing after last being seen leaving a bar in downtown St. Louis on July 20, has been found dead in the Mississippi River, authorities confirmed Tuesday.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department made the somber announcement after a recovery operation concluded early this morning. The discovery brings a devastating end to a week-long search that gripped the local community and mobilized volunteers, university officials, and law enforcement.
Eliotte, a second-year graduate student at Washington University, was last seen on surveillance footage exiting The River’s Edge , a popular downtown bar, around 1:45 a.m. on July 21. She had been out with friends celebrating the end of summer classes but left the group briefly to take a phone call and never returned.
Her disappearance sparked an urgent search. Flyers were distributed across the city, social media campaigns went viral, and fellow students organized candlelight vigils along the riverfront.
“We held onto hope every single day,” said Maya Tran, a close friend and fellow graduate student. “Eliotte was brilliant, kind, and full of life. This doesn’t feel real.”
Police initially treated the case as a missing persons investigation but later shifted focus to the river after reviewing traffic and security camera footage that showed no signs of her re-entering any building or vehicle after leaving the bar.
“Our hearts are shattered,” said Police Chief Robert Delgado at a press briefing. “While the investigation is still ongoing, there is no evidence of foul play at this time. We are working with her family and the medical examiner to understand the full circumstances.”
Eliotte was pursuing a master’s degree in environmental science and was described by professors as “passionate, driven, and deeply committed to protecting our natural world.” She had recently been accepted into a prestigious research fellowship focused on river conservation — a tragic irony given the location of her passing.
The university has announced plans for a memorial service on campus, and counseling services are being offered to students and staff affected by the loss.
“Our community is mourning the loss of a remarkable young woman,” said Dr. Karen Ellis, Dean of the Graduate School. “Eliotte’s light touched everyone she met. We will honor her legacy through the work she believed in.”
As friends and family grieve, the tragedy has reignited conversations about safety in the city’s entertainment districts and the importance of checking in on loved ones during nights out.
A public memorial is being planned along the riverfront, where friends plan to release biodegradable lanterns in her honor.
Eliotte Heinz is survived by her parents, Thomas and Susan Heinz of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and her younger brother, Daniel.