Myrtle Beach area family still seeks answers in son’s death

Clothes, movies, shoes, games, books and Bibles are spread across Danielle and Eric Eiler’s living room couch and table.

The items are among the personal effects of the couple’s 23-year-old son, Travis, which were shipped in seven packages to their Myrtle Beach area home last month.

And while they may finally have some of his belongings, they are no closer to learning what caused his Dec. 2 death in central Asia, where he’d been working with Campus Crusade for Christ.

A fellow member of Campus Crusade for Christ found Travis’ body when he returned to an apartment they shared in Kazakhstan. He had been suffocated, found with a plastic bag covering his head, officials told his parents.

Danielle Eiler said the family was told on Jan. 6 the results of a toxicology report, but it revealed no new clues.

And as she and her husband sat last week across from a living room wall where a yellow cross with Travis’ name hangs, they shared what life has been like for them since the death of their eldest of three sons.

“I have a lot of sleepless nights,” Eric said. “I’m still struggling with sadness and the lost of Travis, not being able to pick up the phone and call him.”

And the family still has unanswered questions: What position was he in when he was found? Are police investigating other people? And for Campus Crusade: What is the organization doing about security? Are they training students on CPR?

Phil Thompson, staff care-crisis management with Campus Crusade for Christ, said after Travis’ death that the organization is still evaluating the process, but did not give specifics.

Travis and other team members were teaching English for a non-governmental organization in central Asia at the time of his death, according to Campus Crusade officials.

“This generation of students are very adventurous people,” Thompson said. “They have an interest of helping people around the world whenever they can. This group was about that, helping teach English. This team wants to experience the world and give back whenever they can.”

The family has been told that police are taking the investigation seriously and are doing what the family has requested as much as they can, Eric Eiler said.

The couple and their other two sons must decide what to do with the items spread across their living room, but some of Travis’ personal items – including a computer, cell phone, journal, memory card, watch, high school class ring, handmade wooden cross, and two iPods – still have not been returned to his family.

Meanwhile, a fund in Travis’ name has been set up.

To date, a little more than $3,000 is in the memorial fund, which will be used to support young people who cannot go to Fellowship of Christian Athletes camps where they can serve the Lord, Danielle Eiler said.

The money, she said, could also possibly be used for college scholarships and mission work.

The family also plans to start a nonprofit foundation and hold a local, annual 5K run.

And Eric has been asked to speak at events about Travis and about “filling his shoes.” He’ll do that again on Tuesday at Southern Wesleyan University, where the college calls for more students to get involved in mission work.

“I want to carry on his mission,” Eric Eiler said. “It’s so important for our kids to get on the right path.”

Travis was born and raised in Myrtle Beach and graduated from Socastee High School in 2006.

He went to Spartanburg Methodist College on a cross-country scholarship, then Southern Wesleyan University, where he also ran track on a scholarship. Travis made the dean’s list at both colleges.

“Travis was that type of student athlete wanting to be engaged,” said Chris Williams, athletic director at Southern Wesleyan University. “He was very outgoing, a very positive influence on young people like my children.

“He got me excited about my exercise activity. I’m not a runner, but I enjoy running. I ran in a 15K this past summer and I was pumped to tell Travis about it.

“Travis was willing to meet you where you were,” Williams continued. “He was very accepting of you.”

It was at Spartanburg that Travis got connected with Campus Crusade for Christ, Danielle Eiler said.

He did mission work in Gatlinburg, Tenn., Clearwater Beach, Fla., and, finally, in Kazakhstan.

Following Travis’ memorial service at Socastee High, Ryan McMichael shared on video memories from the time he and Travis participated in the Clearwater Beach summer mission project.

McMichael also recalled being in a car with Travis and two girls on their way to work at Chick-fil-A when Travis said a prayer – something he did every day before going to work, McMichael said.

“His faith was his first priority,” McMichael said.

Travis’ faith inspired everyone around him, said his friend, Tyler Blanton, who also shared on video his memories of Travis.

“I will remember that spirit he had and that goofy smile,” Blanton said.

For Danielle, she said, “there are days where I am comforted and have joy knowing that Travis is where he wants to be. On the human side, Eric and I can just look at each other and burst into tears.”

Danielle recalled how she did just that when she came across stacks of religious books and only three history books belonging to Travis.

“I didn’t realize how hungry he was for knowledge on spiritual matters,” Danielle Eiler said. “He wanted to be able to spread the word effectively.”