LA CROSSE, Wis. — The days-long search for 22-year-old graduate student Elliott Hines has ended in tragedy. Authorities confirmed that Elliott, who disappeared after a night out in downtown La Crosse, was found deceased near the Mississippi River, close to where she was last seen early Sunday morning.
Her disappearance prompted an urgent community-wide effort, with hundreds of volunteers distributing flyers, organizing search parties, and offering prayers for her safe return. The discovery has left family, friends, and the entire La Crosse community devastated.
Elliott was last seen after leaving a bar near Riverside Park, an area she often visited for peace and reflection. When she failed to return home or respond to messages, loved ones immediately sounded the alarm. Despite days of searching and widespread attention, the outcome has been one no one hoped for.
A graduate student in environmental sciences, Elliott was celebrated for her intelligence, passion, and dedication to sustainability. She dreamed of working with international conservation organizations, fighting climate change, and protecting natural resources. Professors and classmates describe her as driven, compassionate, and deeply committed to making a difference.
But Elliott’s impact reached far beyond academics. Friends and family remember her as someone who radiated warmth, empathy, and joy. Her laugh could light up a room, and her kindness left an indelible mark on everyone she met. She was a devoted daughter, a loving sister, and a loyal friend—someone who always knew when to offer a word of encouragement or a comforting presence.
“A light like Elliott’s doesn’t come around often,” one close friend shared. “She cared so deeply—for people, for the planet. She wanted to make the world better.”
A public memorial will be held Saturday, August 2, at Riverside Park, the last place Elliott was seen and now a site of remembrance. Friends, family, and supporters are invited to gather, share stories, light candles, and celebrate her life.
In lieu of flowers, the family has established the Elliott Hines Environmental Justice Fund, which will support student-led research and conservation initiatives—continuing the mission she held so close to her heart.
Though her life was tragically cut short, Elliott Hines leaves behind a legacy of compassion, hope, and unwavering belief in a better world.
Rest in peace, Elliott. You are forever loved, and your light will never fade.