Hunter discovers remains of missing 3-year-old Wisconsin boy

TWO RIVERS, Wis. - In a tragic development, the remains of Elijah Vue, a three-year-old boy from Wisconsin who had been missing since February, were discovered by a hunter on September 7, 2024. The discovery was made in a densely wooded area on private property in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. This finding has brought a sorrowful conclusion to an extensive search that spanned nearly seven months.

Elijah Vue was reported missing on February 20, 2024, by Jesse Vang, the boyfriend of Elijah's mother, Katrina Baur. At the time of his disappearance, Elijah was staying with Vang in Two Rivers, a small city located approximately 90 miles north of Milwaukee. According to a criminal complaint, Baur had left her son with Vang on February 12, intending for him to teach the child "to be a man." Vang reported that Elijah went missing after he fell asleep and woke up to find the boy gone.

The discovery of Elijah's remains was made by a deer hunter preparing his land for the hunting season. The area where the remains were found had been searched multiple times by authorities and volunteers, both on foot and by air, but had not yielded any clues until the hunter's discovery. The remains were identified through DNA analysis conducted by the Wisconsin Crime Lab, confirming the identity of the child as Elijah Vue.

The case has now transitioned from a missing person search to a death investigation. This development has deeply affected the community of Two Rivers, with Police Chief Benjamin Meinnert expressing the collective heartbreak felt by Elijah's family, the police department, and the community at large. Meinnert noted that although he never met Elijah, the young boy had a significant impact on the community, bringing people together in a shared effort to find him.

Elijah's disappearance and the subsequent investigation have been fraught with challenges. His mother, Katrina Baur, and her boyfriend, Jesse Vang, have been charged with child neglect, although they have not been directly implicated in his disappearance. Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Elijah's death is ongoing, with the Wisconsin Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation leading the inquiry.

The search for Elijah was extensive, involving the review of over 10,000 video recordings, land, air, and water searches, numerous interviews, and the pursuit of hundreds of leads. Despite these efforts, the case remained unresolved until the recent discovery of his remains. The community's response to Elijah's disappearance was marked by solidarity and support, with many participating in search efforts and providing assistance to the family.

As the investigation continues, authorities have urged the public to respect the privacy of Elijah's family during this difficult time. They have also emphasized the need for patience as they work to uncover the details surrounding the boy's death. The case remains a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the profound impact a single child can have on a community.