Foul Play Suspected in Death of ‘Ball of Sunshine’ American Airlines Flight Attendant Who Vanished During Colombia Layover

The family of Eric Fernando Gutierrez Molina has confirmed his death

Credit : Alejandro Murcia/X

The family of an American Airlines flight attendant who went missing during a layover in Colombia has confirmed that he has died — and that authorities suspect foul play.

Eric Fernando Gutierrez Molina, 32, was reported missing on March 22 after telling loved ones he planned to spend the night out in Medellín’s El Poblado neighborhood on March 21, local television channel Telemedellín previously reported.

Five days after the search began, Medellín Mayor Federico Gutiérrez said in a post on X that a body believed to be Gutierrez Molina had been discovered between the municipalities of Jericó and Puente Iglesias.

Officials have not publicly disclosed a cause of death. However, the investigation into the disappearance is “very advanced,” and authorities have “very clear leads on those responsible,” the mayor said in his post.

On Monday, March 30, Gutierrez Molina’s sister Mayra told NBC News that authorities had confirmed to the family that the body was his.

The family publicly acknowledged his death through a GoFundMe campaign.

The fundraiser described him as “a ball of sunshine” and remembered him as a “docile, charismatic, and goofy man who always provided a helping hand.”

Born and raised in El Salvador before becoming a U.S. citizen, Gutierrez Molina was also remembered by his loved ones for the close bond he shared with his brother, “supporting and loving each other through every chapter of their lives.”

During a March 26 press conference, Medellín Security Secretary Manuel Villa Mejía said Gutierrez Molina had gone out on March 21 with a male and female coworker before later leaving with the woman and several other unidentified individuals to another location, according to NBC affiliate KXAS.

Authorities added that those individuals — whose identities have not been released — have previously been linked to thefts involving the drug scopolamine, also known as “devil’s breath.”

Before his death was confirmed, Molina’s longtime partner, Ernesto Carranza, said he was “shattered” by his disappearance and the uncertainty surrounding it, CBS News reported.

On the fundraiser, Carranza said he will always remember and cherish Gutierrez Molina as “the sunshine in his life.”

In a statement, American Airlines said it is “heartbroken by the tragic passing of our colleague.”

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

In April 2025, the U.S. State Department warned Americans to “reconsider travel” to Colombia “due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping.” The travel advisory remains in effect.