A South African family has launched a desperate fundraising effort to repatriate the remains of Eric “The Viking” Filmalter, a 26-year-old who died in a freak accidental shooting in the United States. The tragedy has left relatives both heartbroken and scrambling to raise the R300,000 needed to bring him home.
Filmalter died after reportedly handling a firearm that he believed was unloaded. According to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, he mistakenly discharged the weapon, causing the fatal incident. Authorities have ruled out foul play and confirmed the death was accidental, dismissing any suspicion of suicide.
For the family back home, the shock of losing a son and brother in such an unusual manner has been compounded by the unexpected financial burden of repatriation. Without insurance covering such circumstances, they have turned to the public for assistance.
His sister, Laurette Grobler, shared the family’s plea as donations began to come in. “Unfortunately, he did not have insurance that covers this type of tragedy. That is why we are asking for help. If there are any funds left over we will use it to help pay for Manisha’s studies,” she said.
On the GoFundMe page set up in Filmalter’s honour, the family wrote about their wish to bring him home so that he can be laid to rest in the country where he grew up. “As a family, we want to bring him home so he can rest in South-African soil — the ground upon which he ran as a boy, got up to mischief, and grew up alongside his cousins.”
Filmalter and his wife, Manisha, were married earlier this year in February. The family has emphasised that any remaining funds after repatriation will go toward helping Manisha continue her studies.
So far, more than R120,000 has been raised through public contributions, bringing the family closer to their goal but still leaving a significant gap. Supporters from South Africa and abroad have shared messages of sympathy as the campaign gathers momentum.
For now, the Filmalter family remains focused on completing their son’s journey home — a difficult task financially and emotionally, but one they say is essential to honour his memory and give him the farewell he deserves.
The effort continues as donations slowly build, carrying the family’s hope of bringing Eric “The Viking” Filmalter back to rest among loved ones in South Africa.
