U.S. flight attendant missing in Colombia found dead, family says

Eric Fernando Gutiérrez Molina, a 32-year-old American Airlines flight attendant from Texas, had been missing since a layover in Medellín last week.

Authorities have identified a body found in Colombia as that of missing U.S. flight attendant Eric Fernando Gutiérrez Molina, his sister told NBC News on Monday.

Gutiérrez Molina, 32, an American Airlines flight attendant from Texas, disappeared while he was out with his colleagues in Medellín, Colombia, during a layover last week.

Mayra Gutiérrez, Gutiérrez Molina’s sister, said Monday that Colombian authorities had confirmed to the family that her brother’s body was found Friday in the northeast region of the South American country.

“It is with profound sadness we share the passing of Fernando Gutierrez. Fernando’s personality will always be remembered as a ball of sunshine as he entered and exited a room,” the family wrote in a GoFundMe post. “He will always be remembered as a docile, charismatic, goofy man who always provided a helping hand.”

“Fernando’s life was tragically cut short while on a work trip in Medellin, Colombia,” the family wrote.

Medellín Mayor Federico Gutiérrez announced on social media Friday that “a lifeless body has just been found between the municipality of Jericó and Puente Iglesias.”

Eric Fernando Gutiérrez Molina.via GoFundMe

The mayor said at the time that the body was most likely that of Gutiérrez Molina.

“There is a very high probability that it is this person. The lifeless body is being transported to legal medicine in Medellín for identification and recognition,” Gutiérrez wrote on X. “We express our solidarity to his family and friends. I have just personally delivered the painful news to his father, who is in Medellín.f impairment’ at the time of rollover, police say

Gutiérrez also said authorities suspected foul play, adding that officials “have very clear leads on those responsible.”

He did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.

Earlier in the week, Medellín Security Secretary Manuel Villa said at a news conference that Gutiérrez Molina was in Colombia on business and was out in the city of Itagüí with a co-worker. Gutiérrez Molina and the co-worker left an establishment to go to a second location with others, also in Itagüí, Villa said.

The co-worker arrived back at the hotel she was staying at, but “she arrived somewhat disoriented,” he said. Gutiérrez Molina had not been seen since.

Villa said their investigation had determined that Gutiérrez Molina and the woman encountered people “with a history of committing theft” using scopolamine, an anti-nausea medication that can cause drowsiness and confusion. The investigation continues, he said.

A brother of Gutiérrez Molina asked Saturday that people keep their family “in your prayers for peace and the rest of my brother, so that God may have mercy on him and also bring justice to those who did this to him,” the brother told NBC Dallas-Fort Worth.

The family said on GoFundMe that Gutiérrez Molina was born and raised in El Salvador before he came to the U.S. and became a citizen.

“His mother describes him as a person with a beautiful soul that was quickly recognized by anyone,” the family wrote.

“Ernesto, his partner of many years, will always remember and cherish the beautiful person he was,” the family wrote. “He was the sunshine in his life and will forever remember and cherish him.”

American Airlines said in a statement Monday that it was “heartbroken by the tragic passing of our colleague.”

“Our thoughts and support are with his family, loved ones and colleagues during this difficult time, and we are doing all we can to assist Colombian law enforcement in its investigation,” the airline said.