Fitness instructor, Army vet Eiffel Gilyana, who vanished on a surfing trip, found dead

Loved ones reported that the body of a cherished Florida Army veteran, who went missing during a canoe surfing trip over the weekend, was found on Tuesday. Eiffel Gilyana, 46, who disappeared during a group outing on Saturday morning, was discovered deceased off Vilano Beach on Tuesday afternoon, according to friends.

A friend, expressing deep sorrow, wrote on a a fund raising page that had garnered over $70,000 saying, "Words cannot express the hollowness that engulfs us all, the crushing weight of a future forever etched with his absence."

The Coast Guard initiated a search for him  but halted the operation after 48 hours. Meanwhile, volunteers persisted in scouring the waters for any trace of the accomplished fitness instructor and former competitive bodybuilder.

From 2003 to 2009, the Iraqi native served in the US military in the role of a translator.

He quickly rose to prominence as a successful fitness instructor, renowned for his challenging endurance accomplishments.

The seasoned kayaker achieved a notable milestone by completing a 150-mile journey from Miami to Key West.

In his role as the health coordinator for the local Jewish Community Alliance, his dedication and accomplished background were highlighted in a biography.

Adam Chaskin, CEO of the Jewish Community Alliance, expressed grief over his passing.

“Eiffel wasn’t just the fitness and wellness director at the JCA. He wasn’t just a personal trainer,” said Chaskin.