Mystery as veteran vanishes while kayaking with friends over holiday weekend – with boat found broken in half off Florida
- Eiffel Gilyana, 46, fitness instructor and father of three, has been reported missing after his kayak capsized in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida
- Gilyana was serving with the U.S. Army in Iraq and was kayaking near the St. Augustine Inlet around 10 a.m. on December 23 when he disappeared
- After a 48-hour search by the U.S. Coast Guard, only his overturned kayak was found; this was divided in two
A 46-year-old man has disappeared after his overturned kayak was found in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida.
Eiffel Gilyana, a fitness instructor and married father of three, was kayaking with the Jax Fire Dragons boat team near the St. Augustine Inlet on Dec. 23 around 10 a.m. when his fellow paddlers lost sight of him during “rough conditions.”
A quick search was conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard, but only his overturned kayak was found. It was broken in two.
The Coast Guard continued to search for Gilyana throughout Christmas Eve, with additional crews and partner agencies joining the search on Sunday morning.
Eiffel Gilyana, 46, fitness instructor and father of three, has been reported missing after his kayak capsized in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida
Gilyana was kayaking with two others near the St. Augustine Inlet on December 23 around 10 a.m. when he disappeared
Gilyana's overturned kayak was found. It was split in two
After 48 hours of searching, the search was called off on Christmas Day.
He was last seen wearing black pants but was not wearing a life jacket or shirt.
Originally from Erbil, Iraq, Gilyana served as a translator in the U.S. Army from 2003 to 2009.
He immigrated to Jacksonville to escape ISIS threats and became a wellness instructor, where he would also perform remarkable feats of endurance.
He recently paddled his kayak on a 150-mile trip from Miami to Key West.
“Eiffel Gilyana (40) is missing at Vilano Beach,” read a Facebook post from his boat team.
The search continued for 48 hours by the US Coast Guard
The Coast Guard searched all night in hopes of finding the kayaker
An extensive search took place in the waters where Gilyana was kayaking
Gilyana was originally from Erbil, Iraq and served as a translator in the U.S. Army from 2003 to 2009
Gilyana performed remarkable feats of endurance and recently paddled his kayak on a 150-mile journey from Miami to Key West
“He went paddling with two other individuals but they lost sight of him. They found his ama, iakus and boat (broken in half), but no signs of Eiffel. We need more boats on the water to help with the search. He has been missing since 10am. He went in through the pavilion in Vilano Beach, on the Atlantic Ocean side.”
The Coast Guard also posted a condolence message:
“Our sincere condolences go out to the family and friends affected by this tragic event,” Cmdr. Nick Barrow, Search and Rescue Coordinator, Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville.
“This was an intensive search in the hope of finding Mr. Gilyana. “I want to thank our partners from the City of St. Augustine, St. Johns County, Florida Fish and Wildlife, and Customs and Border Protection for their contributions to this joint effort.”