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 since he was dragged away from Sibuco town on October 17.

The Vermont native was abducted just months after marrying a local woman.

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 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."