Family Confirms Body Found in Colombia is Missing US Flight Attendant
The family of a missing American Airlines flight attendant has confirmed that a body discovered in Colombia has been identified as their loved one. Eric Fernando Gutiérrez Molina, a 32-year-old flight attendant based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas, vanished earlier this month during a layover in Medellín, Colombia.
Disappearance During Layover in Medellín
Gutiérrez Molina disappeared after a night out with a colleague on March 21, according to statements from his longtime partner, Ernesto Carranza, and his best friend, Sharom Gil, to CBS News. The pair were in the city of Itagüí, near Medellín, when they left one location to go to another with others. His colleague returned to her hotel disoriented, but Gutiérrez Molina was nowhere to be found.
Medellín Security Secretary Manuel Villa indicated at a news conference that the flight attendant and his colleague encountered individuals with a history of theft using scopolamine. This medication, typically for nausea, can induce severe dizziness and hallucinations, potentially facilitating criminal acts.
Identification and Official Statements
On Friday, Medellín Mayor Federico Gutiérrez announced on social media that a lifeless body was found between the municipality of Jericó and Puente Iglesias, with a high probability it was Gutiérrez Molina. He expressed solidarity with the family and personally delivered the news to the flight attendant's father, who was in Medellín.
By Monday, Gutiérrez Molina's sister, Mayra Gutiérrez, told NBC News that Colombian authorities had formally identified the body as her brother. The mayor added that police and prosecutor investigations are advanced, with clear leads on those responsible, and he called for justice, including potential extradition requests.
Family Tributes and Fundraising Efforts
In response to the tragedy, Gutiérrez Molina's brother, Kelvin Gutierrez, established a GoFundMe page to support the family. The page described Fernando as a ball of sunshine, remembered for his docile, charismatic, and goofy nature, always ready to lend a helping hand. Born and raised in El Salvador, he later became a U.S. citizen, and the family is seeking donations to help repatriate his body from Colombia to Texas.
American Airlines issued a statement expressing heartbreak over the tragic passing of their colleague. The airline emphasized that their thoughts and support are with his family, loved ones, and colleagues during this difficult time, and they are assisting Colombian law enforcement with the investigation.
The case highlights ongoing safety concerns in the region, with authorities urging vigilance. The Independent has reached out to American Airlines and Gutiérrez Molina's family for further comment, as the community mourns the loss of a beloved individual.
