3 months ago
18
Elijah Vue
was just three years old, a bright and curious child whose life was tragically cut short. Known for his playful spirit, Elijah’s sudden disappearance in February left his family and community in shock, sparking months of searching and unanswered questions.
Elijah had been living in
Wisconsin Dells
with his mother,
Katrina Baur
, who left him in the care of her boyfriend,
Jesse Vang
, on February 12.
The plan, she said, was for Vang to help “teach him to be a man.” But what was meant to be a routine visit turned into a devastating nightmare. Days later, on February 20, Vang called police, claiming that while he napped, Elijah vanished from his side.
The news of Elijah’s disappearance shook the small city of
Two Rivers
, a tight-knit community where people rallied together, praying for his safe return. However, as days turned to weeks, hope began to fade. Flyers, search parties, and public appeals couldn’t provide the answers his family so desperately needed.
Elijah’s short life came to a heartbreaking end when a hunter discovered his
skeletal remains
on September 7, just three miles from where he was last seen. Forensic experts confirmed the remains, finally bringing closure to months of uncertainty. But the discovery left many grappling with the same question: What really happened to Elijah?
“This is not the outcome we hoped for,” said Two Rivers Police Chief Benjamin Meinnert. “The family is devastated. We are devastated. The community is devastated.”
Though Elijah is gone, his story remains one of unanswered questions and unfinished justice. His mother, Baur, and her boyfriend, Vang, have both been charged with
child neglect
, though they have pleaded not guilty.
