Law enforcement officials in the Philippines announced on Thursday that a missing United States citizen from Vermont was likely murdered after being abducted from his home in Sibuco by four individuals impersonating police officers.
A government inquiry revealed that one of the suspects in custody for the crime claimed Elliot Eastman was shot twice with an AR-platform rifle while being transported by motorboat during the October 17 incident. The remains of the 26-year-old were reportedly thrown overboard after his passing.
Eastman had been residing in the Asian nation since May with his Filipino wife, where he operated a YouTube channel documenting his experiences as an expatriate.
Authorities believe the perpetrators were ordinary criminals, not linked to the country’s Muslim rebel groups that have previously captured people for ransom.
The U.S. Embassy in Manila issued a press release confirming the State Department was aware of the report and was in contact with local investigators regarding the situation.
