A body discovered in central Colombia is believed to be Eric Fernando Gutierrez Molina, the American Airlines flight attendant who vanished during a layover last weekend, in a disappearance that has left his partner “shattered.”
Medellín Mayor Federico Gutiérrez confirmed Friday on social media that the body was discovered between the municipalities of Jericó and Puente Iglesias, about 60 miles southwest of the city.
“There is a very high probability that it is this person,” he wrote on X, referring to Gutierrez Molina, translated from Spanish. “The lifeless body is being transported to legal medicine in Medellín for identification and recognition. We express our solidarity to his family and friends.”
Authorities suspect foul play in Gutierrez Molina’s disappearance, he added, saying officials “have very clear leads on those responsible” and urged that the individuals be pursued through extradition. A Colombian medical examiner is still investigating the cause of death.
Gutiérrez Molina, a Dallas–Fort Worth–based crew member, was last seen in Medellín, Colombia, after arriving on a flight from Miami for an overnight stop, according to officials. He was scheduled to report for duty the next day on a return flight to Miami, but never showed up, raising immediate alarm among colleagues and loved ones.
Friends and investigators said Gutiérrez Molina went out with coworkers Saturday night in Medellín’s El Poblado nightlife district. While at a club, they met two men and decided to continue the night at another location. Later, he sent a message sharing his location at an Airbnb in El Poblado, about 12 miles from José María Córdova International Airport, but all communication stopped soon after.
“I want to believe that he’s alive, and I want to continue believing that he’s alive, but throughout each day you wake up not knowing anything, and it makes the days go by longer and slower,” Ernesto Carranza, Gutierrez Molina’s longtime partner, told CBS News Thursday.
Sharom Gil, Gutiérrez Molina’s best friend, added, “I’m missing a part of me … He’s the most joyful person to ever to be around. We’re so lost right now.”
Carranza grew increasingly alarmed Sunday morning after repeated attempts to contact Gutiérrez Molina went unanswered. His concern deepened when he checked his boyfriend’s phone activity and saw it appeared to be pinging from two locations in Medellín.
“Both locations were nowhere near where he was supposed to sleep for the night,” Carranza told CBS News.
One of Gutiérrez Molina’s coworkers was later found disoriented and required medical attention. Family members and friends now fear Gutiérrez may have been drugged, possibly with scopolamine, often referred to as “devil’s breath,” a substance known to cause confusion, memory loss, impaired judgment and even unconsciousness. She reported not remembering portions of the night.
“It was his female coworker, they both went out,” Gil said. “We don’t want to disclose anything that happened to her, but she was also a victim of whatever Fernando is going through right now. She was disoriented, but she was able to make it back to the layover hotel.”
Colombian investigators have not released the names of the individuals believed to have been with Gutiérrez Molina, nor have they confirmed whether any of them have been taken into custody or questioned, NBC 5 DFW reported. However, authorities have identified vehicles and phones linked to the suspects, providing potential leads in the ongoing investigation.
Missing persons reports have been filed in both Addison, Texas, and Medellín, Gil said. The Medellín missing-person alert said Gutiérrez Molina was last seen early Sunday in the residential La América neighborhood, which is not typically associated with tourist activity.
An American Airlines spokesperson told The Independent in a statement Friday: “We are actively engaged with local law enforcement officials in their investigation and doing all we can to support our team member’s family during this time.”
The disappearance comes as a U.S. State Department travel advisory for Colombia remains in effect, urging Americans to “reconsider travel” amid ongoing concerns over widespread violent crime.
Anyone with information on Gutiérrez Molina’s case is asked to contact the police.
