The remains of three-year-old Elijah Vue, who had been missing since February 20, were discovered on September 7, 2024, in a densely wooded area of Two Rivers, Wisconsin, bringing a nearly seven-month search to a devastating end.
Two Rivers Police Chief Benjamin Meinnert confirmed the remains’ identification during a press conference held on September 13.
Elijah was last seen at an address in Two Rivers, about 90 miles north of Milwaukee, and his disappearance initiated a massive search effort. Authorities reviewed over 10,000 video files, canvassed land, air, and water, and conducted numerous interviews, following hundreds of leads.
The remains were discovered by a hunter preparing his land for the upcoming hunting season, approximately three miles northwest of where Elijah was reported missing. Chief Meinnert stated that the area had been searched multiple times but noted that dense underbrush likely hindered prior efforts. The skeletal remains were sent to the Wisconsin Crime Lab, where DNA testing confirmed the identity as Elijah Vue.
“This is not the outcome we hoped for. The family is devastated. We’re devastated. Our community is devastated,” Meinnert said during the press conference.
Elijah’s mother, Katrina Baur, 31, and her boyfriend, Jesse Vang, 39, were arrested and charged with child neglect following the boy’s disappearance. According to court documents, Baur had left Elijah with Vang to “teach him how to be a man.” Vang claimed that he had fallen asleep and awoke to find Elijah missing. The specific punishment outlined in the criminal complaint includes measures that required Elijah to stand for one to three hours at a time, with threats of cold showers if he did not comply.
Legally obtained cell phone data reveals that Baur visited Elijah twice while he was with Vang, one of those occasions being on February 14, when investigators allege that Katrina photographed Elijah lying on a bed. In the image, he had a blindfold covering his eyes and showed signs of bruising on the left side of his jawline and neck, as well as on his upper left arm. The photo was erased roughly an hour later.
Just a few days later, on Friday, February 16, surveillance images captured Elijah and Vang at an auto shop in Two Rivers. Then, on February 20th, reports indicated that Elijah was missing.
In August, the community held a fourth birthday celebration for Elijah in Kiwanis Park, Appleton, hoping for his safe return. The discovery of his remains resulted in the cancellation of the Amber Alert that had been in place since his disappearance.
Two Rivers Assistant Chief of Police Melissa Wiesner reflected on the loss of the young boy, saying that although Elijah was small, he profoundly impacted everyone.
The investigation into Elijah’s disappearance and death is ongoing, led by the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation. So far, no further details have been disclosed about the cause of death or the condition of the remains. The Two Rivers Police Department has committed to providing updates as the case progresses while ensuring the family’s privacy during this difficult time.
Both Baur and Vang have pleaded not guilty to the charges. They are being held on allegations of child neglect, though no charges have been made at this time concerning Elijah’s death.
Vang is scheduled to appear in court for a status conference on September 27. Baur’s upcoming court date is a status conference set for October 22.