US YouTuber shot dead and dumped at sea in Philippines
Eastman, an 18-month Philippines resident, documented his life in Philippines on YouTube
A missing American vlogger, 26-year-old Elliot Eastman, was shot dead and his body dumped at sea during a botched kidnapping in the Philippines, local police said.
Eastman was reportedly shot twice while resisting his abduction by gunmen on October 17 in Sibuco, a coastal town in Zamboanga del Norte, as confirmed by the Associated Press and local outlets.
Police sources said the gunmen posed as police officers and attacked Eastman at his home. After being shot in the leg while attempting to fight off his captors, Eastman was taken away on a motorboat. Authorities believe he died that night from his injuries. The kidnappers reportedly disposed of his body at sea once he died, a claim corroborated by a key suspect in the case.
An extensive search for Eastman and his abductors resulted in several arrests, but Eastman’s body remains missing. Police have filed criminal complaints against several suspects involved in the kidnapping.
Philippine police have informed Eastman’s wife and the US Embassy in Manila of his reported death, and the embassy is coordinating with local authorities.
Eastman, who had been in the Philippines for 18 months, was known for posting videos on his YouTube and Facebook pages about life in the remote town of Sibuco, where he had settled after meeting his wife. His last YouTube video was posted just two days before his kidnapping.
