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On October 17, 2024, Elliot Eastman, an American YouTuber residing in the Philippines, was kidnapped and wounded by armed men from his home in Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte. Police reports have stated he was shot in the leg and abdomen and was last seen being dragged into a boat into sea.[3] As of December 2024, he is presumed dead and rescue operations are still ongoing.[4]
Elliot Eastman | |
|---|---|
 Elliot Eastman in February 2024 | |
| Born | Elliot Onil Eastman[1] 1997 or 1998 |
| Disappeared | October 17, 2024 (aged 26) Sitio Tungawan, Poblacion, Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines |
| Occupation | Content creator |
| Spouse |
Karisha Jala (m. 2023) |
YouTube information | |
| Channel | |
| Years active | 2015–2024 |
| Genre | Vlog |
| Subscribers | 5.1 thousand[2] |
| Total views | 854.8 thousand[2] |
| Contents are in | English |
Background
editEastman was a 26-year-old man from Hinesburg, Vermont who graduated from Champlain Valley Union High School in 2016.[5] Eastman first travelled to the Philippines in 2023. In July of that same year, he married Karisha Jala, a Sama-Sibuco native.[6][4][7]
He returned to the United States briefly for work. In May 2024, he settled in the municipality of Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte in the Philippines to live with his Filipino wife.[6][5][8]
Kidnapping and apparent death
editOn October 17, 2024, Eastman was abducted by men at his home in Sibuco. He was shot on the leg to prevent his escape. The men escaped with Eastman via a motorized banca. The perpetrators never released the expected demands for ransom or proof of his life. Two months after the kidnapping, the police concluded in December that he is likely dead.[4]
References
edit- ^ Gomez, Jim (December 5, 2024). "Philippine police checking reports that a kidnapped American has died after being shot". AP News. Associated Press. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
- ^ a b "About Elliot Eastman". YouTube.
- ^ Laput, Gualberto; Carreon, Frencie (October 18, 2024). "Armed group abducts American in Zamboanga del Norte". Rappler. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
- ^ a b c Agonoy, Leah (December 6, 2024). "American vlogger died during abduction – PNP". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
- ^ a b Keays, Alan (December 5, 2024). "Police say they believe Vermonter abducted in Philippines has died, citing suspect's testimony". VTDigger. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
- ^ a b "American Man Kidnapped, Taken Away on Boat in Philippines, Police Say". New York Times. October 18, 2024. Archived from the original on November 11, 2024. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
- ^ Carreon, Frencie (December 5, 2024). "Search for abducted American shifts from rescue to recovery effort". Rappler. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
- ^ "Philippines police say Elliot Eastman, American YouTuber shot during kidnapping, likely died of gunshot wounds - CBS News". CBS News. December 5, 2024. Retrieved December 9, 2024.