Here is all you need to know about Eiffel Gilyana and his cause of death as his body found after going missing during canoeing
A man’s body was discovered north of Vilano Beach after he vanished on Saturday while canoeing. Fishermen discovered the man who was 46 years old, according to his family, who spoke with Action News Jax.
Who is Eiffel Gilyana as missing fitness instructor is found dead in Vilano Beach, cause of death, bio, age, wife and children
Extremely sad and untimely news; Eiffel Gilyana is a loss for all Ankawa , We pray to God that your departed soul may rest in Heaven 🕊️🕯️🕊️
condolences to the family, all relatives & friends 🙏🕯️✝️
We will miss you 😔 https://t.co/HJvQCLgT1X— Florin G. Seudin (@floringorgis) December 26, 2023
Absolutely heartbroken.
Eiffel will forever be known as one of the most tender hearted, kind & inspiring humans to ever grace this planet.
If you’re able to do so, please contribute to support this family.https://t.co/cd1PQwcFns https://t.co/i7slHtuYpT
— Olivia Smith (@_OliviaTaylor_) December 26, 2023
The 46-year-old fitness instructor was discovered dead following four days of intensive searching, according to Jen Grubbs, the organiser of the GoFundMe page created to provide financial support to Gilyana’s family following his disappearance.
The father of three was originally from Iraq, according to a GoFundMe page set up following Eiffel Gilyana’s disappearance.
The United States Coast Guard sent a news release stating that Eiffel Gilyana had vanished on Saturday, December 23, close to the North Jetties’ oceanfront in St. Augustine. Two days after the search for him was halted, it was found that he had been kayaking with friends during the weekend.
Rescue teams spent 90 asset hours and almost 341 square miles searching before deciding to halt the search, according to the Coast Guard. There was a rip current advisory in force during this time. The US Coast Guard announced on Sunday that they had suspended the search for a missing kayaker near St. Augustine Inlet, Florida.”
As per a report in People, a veteran’s mental health support group called Task Force Hydro-1 took Gilyana kayaking. On Saturday, at around 10:39 a.m., his group reported his disappearance to the Jacksonville Coast Guard. Before he vanished, Gilyana was not donning a life jacket.
Extremely sad and untimely news; Eiffel Gilyana is a loss for all Ankawa , We pray to God that your departed soul may rest in Heaven 🕊️🕯️🕊️
condolences to the family, all relatives & friends 🙏🕯️✝️
We will miss you 😔 https://t.co/HJvQCLgT1X— Florin G. Seudin (@floringorgis) December 26, 2023
Who was Eiffel Gilyana?
Eiffel Gilyana was a 46-year-old man who came into the headlines after his body was discovered in the north of Vilano Beach. He had gone missing on Saturday near the ocean side of the North Jetties in St. Augustine.
At the Jewish Community Alliance, he held the position of Director of Fitness and Wellness. After “escaping unimaginable hardship in Iraq, Eiffel rebuilt a life in Jacksonville” with his wife, according to the GoFundMe page. He was a translator in the US military from 2003 until 2009; after receiving threats from ISIS, he fled his home country and relocated to Jacksonville.
He was a married man and his wife’s name was Lana. The couple welcomed three children.