YouTuber Elliot Eastman shot dead and dumped at sea after speedboat kidnapping by fake cops, says police
YOUTUBE star Elliott Eastman has been shot dead and dumped at sea, police in the Philippines have said.
The 26-year-old was kidnapped in a speedboat by gunmen in pretending to be cops after shooting him in the leg.
Three people have been arrested in the frantic search for the American YouTuber since he was dragged away from Sibuco town on October 17.
And the Philippine National Police believes that Eastman is already dead based on statements from witnesses and a suspect in his abduction.
A spokesperson for the Police Regional Office IX confirmed on Thursday that a suspect had confessed that Eastman was dead and his body was thrown into the sea.
A witness previously stated that Eastman died from a gunshot wound to the leg and abdomen, Filipino outlet ABS-CBN reports.
Police Lt.Col Ramoncelio Sawan said: "Late October, during our investigation, we encountered one witness who told us that someone told him that on the night Elliott Eastman was taken, he was shot.
"And when those who abducted him were upset, Eastman was later killed.
"What they did was throw Eastman's body in the water."
He added: “Some time in November, we caught one of those involved in the abduction of Elliott Eastman.
"He himself said and testified to what the first witness we got said."
The YouTuber's body, however, has not been found yet and cops are still to determine the motive behind his kidnapping.
The police official said: "We have not seen his body yet, although we tried to search for any signs on the shores and neighboring islands.
"We haven't really found anything yet."
According to Sawan, Elliott Eastman's family has already been informed of the latest updates in his case.
“We are in constant coordination with the stakeholders from the US Embassy,” he added.
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