A 46-year-old Florida fitness instructor and Army veteran, who was reported missing on Saturday, December 23, 2023, following a canoe surfing expedition off St. Augustine, Florida has been found dead following an extensive search.
Eiffel Gilyana, recognized for his role as the head of wellness at a local religious organization and a married father of three, embarked on this journey with several individuals.
During the canoe trip, Gilyana’s party lost sight of him. The discovery of his overturned and split canoe later heightened concerns. It’s noted that Gilyana embarked on the trip without a life jacket.
The US Coast Guard initiated a search operation but could not locate him, suspending the search which covered nearly 341 square miles in 48 hours. Volunteers continued to look for the missing veteran.
The recovery of Gilyana’s body was confirmed by Jen Grubbs, the organizer of a GoFundMe campaign set up to support his family. The campaign, reflecting on Gilyana’s impact, highlighted his warmth, laughter, and vibrant spirit. His work with the Community Alliance group and Task Force Hydro1 exemplified his commitment to both the veteran and local communities.
A native of Iraq, his background includes service in the US military as a translator from 2003 to 2009, and he settled in Jacksonville, Florida, to avoid threats from ISIS.
Gilyana was known for his physical endurance, including a 150-mile kayaking trip from Miami to Key West. He served as a health and wellness advisor for Task Force Hydro 1, assisting veterans and emergency workers.
The community organization where he worked, praised his dedication and positive attitude in challenging times.
Commander Nick Barrow of Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville expressed deep condolences, acknowledging the intensive search efforts and thanking various agencies for their cooperation.
