Who was 'Eric the Eagle'? MYSTERY surrounds sudden death of Floridian jet ski champion
Mystery surrounds the sudden death of the 'Eric the Eagle', an American jet ski champion, who "disappeared" during a race and was later discovered floating in the ocean close to his undamaged Kawasaki. Just weeks before the birth of his second daughter, Florida resident Eric Francis, 36, was discovered dead during a race in the Caribbean on Saturday, June 25 in Saint-Louis off the coast of Guadeloupe. British world champion jet skier Sophie Francis, 26, was married to the Floridian known by the moniker ‘Eric the Eagle’.
The couple already has a two-year-old daughter, and Sophie, who is from Wiltshire in the UK, will soon give birth to their second daughter. She and their daughter, who were both in Guadeloupe to support Eric, are currently receiving consolation from family and friends. Eric was racing in the Marie-Galante jet ski race near Saint-Louis, Guadeloupe, where conditions were moderate. When he failed to show up for the race's last leg, a search party was sent out, the Watercraft Journal reported. He was found unresponsive beside his undamaged jet ski. Police said that his jet ski was discovered nearby unharmed, and the reason for his death is being looked into.
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The publication wrote in a statement, "All of us at The Watercraft Journal are heartsick to learn of the passing of world champion racer, Eric 'The Eagle' Francis while competing in Guadalupe this weekend. Eric was one of the hardest-charging racers today, a loving husband to Sophie and a dedicated father, as well as a good friend to so, so many in our sport. Godspeed, Eric."
For winning four times in a row in the P1 AquaX, the largest watercraft competition in the world, Eric earned the moniker ‘The Eagle’. Throughout his career, he had participated in various races in Guadeloupe.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe has been set up to provide financial assistance to Eric Francis' family as Sophie is expecting their second child in weeks. The page reads, “We lost one of our own over the past weekend. Unfathomable as it is, I can not even begin to imagine what the Francis family is going through, especially Sophie. We want to support her, show her we love her, and let her know she is not alone. Sophie will be the only person who will have direct access to any donation that is made. Please help. Any donation to her and the babies is much appreciated.” GoFundMe already raised more than $17K from 103 donations. Other circumstances of Eric's death are yet unknown.
