NEED TO KNOW
- Victor Cobbs, the boyfriend of Trinity Eslinger’s mother, is speaking about the girl’s disappearance.
- Cobbs stated that he, his son Kingston, and Trinity were pulled by a strong current just before she went missing.
- He described Trinity as a caring young girl and noted her close bond with his daughter.
The family vacation to Florida turned tragic when 10-year-old Trinity Eslinger vanished while swimming. Now, Victor Cobbs, longtime partner of Trinity’s mother Raven Cush, is sharing what happened during those final moments before she disappeared.
In a livestream shared on YouTube, Cobbs recounted the incident that unfolded while they were visiting East Jetty Beach in Destin, Florida. The group had spent several days enjoying Panama City Beach from June 10 to 13, but tragedy struck on their last afternoon.
As they prepared to leave the beach, Cobbs said he entered the water to rinse off sand, followed by his son Kingston and Trinity. Almost immediately, all three were caught in a sudden current. Cobbs urged the children to stay calm and walk back toward shore, not wanting them to panic. But the current proved too strong.
Cobbs, who had taught his son to float, admitted he hadn’t shown Trinity the same skill. As the water pulled them farther from shore, Kingston began shouting for help. Trinity’s mother, Raven, rushed into the water to reach them. A nearby boat responded, rescuing Kingston and asking Cobbs if he needed help. He told them to focus on saving Trinity and Raven.
Soon after, Cobbs lost sight of what was happening as the waves spun him around. He later learned two men from the boat jumped into the water to rescue Trinity. According to Raven, she tried pushing Trinity toward them, but the girl slipped away.
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Efforts to recover Trinity began immediately. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, along with multiple agencies including the Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, joined the search, utilizing boats, drones, and helicopters. She was last seen around 7:30 p.m. between Osteen Beach and Norriego Point.
Cobbs emphasized how quickly the chaos unfolded, noting how rescuers were on-site almost immediately. As darkness fell, visibility diminished. The family returned to their Airbnb, later relocated to a hotel by the host.
Trinity remains missing. Family members have traveled to the area and are actively participating in the ongoing search. Cobbs asked locals to help by using boats and watercraft to search nearby areas. He also expressed the family’s desire to find and thank the two men who attempted to save Trinity.
The Sheriff’s Office confirmed that search operations are still underway, with specialized dive teams and beach patrols covering the area. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support the family, with funds helping to cover equipment rentals, lodging, and meals.
Authorities promise updates as new information becomes available and urge the public to continue offering thoughts and prayers for Trinity and her loved ones.
