YouTuber Elliot Eastman, 26, Feared Dead After Armed Kidnapping by Men Posing as Police Officers: Reports

Mar. 15, 2025

Elliot Eastman.Photo:Elliot Eastman Facebook

Elliot Eastman Facebook

Police in the Philippines are investigating reports that kidnapped American YouTuber Elliot Eastman has been shot dead.

The witness also reportedly said the abductors threw Eastman’s body into the ocean, however, police are yet to find a body during their search efforts.

A police officer investigates an area where Elliot Eastman was reportedly abducted on Oct. 17.Philippine National Police Regional Office 9 via AP

Philippine National Police Regional Office 9 via AP

The relative also reportedly said Eastman’s abductors threw his body into the ocean.

“We are constrained to believe that he has died. All of the information that we have points to that,” Sawan said per AP, but he added that without the victim’s body, “we’re still leaving a little bit of hope that it may not be the case.”

A search for Eastman and his abductors led to the arrest of a number of suspects, while three suspects were killed in a gunbattle with police last month, according to the outlet.

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AP reported that Sawan said police had told Eastman’s Filipino wife and the U.S. Embassy in Manila about his reported death.

According to Eastman’sYouTube Channel, he is 26 years old and he traveled to the Philippines 18 months ago.

Eastman posted hislast YouTube videoon Oct. 15, two days before his alleged kidnapping. In the video, the social media user could been seen eating noodles and sitting in a deck chair, while other clips showed Eastman doing yoga and documenting the heavy rain in the country.

PEOPLE has contacted Police Regional Office-Zamboanga (PRO-9) for comment.

source: people.com