Authorities found a body while searching for an American Airlines flight attendant who went missing during a layover in Colombia.
Medellin Mayor Federico Gutierrez confirmed that the body was discovered in the rural area south of Bogotá, just days after Eric Fernando Gutierrez Molina was reported missing.
“I have some unfortunate news. We’ve been looking for Eric Gutierrez since last Sunday. Sadly, a lifeless body was found between Jericho and Puente Iglesias. Most likely, it belongs to him,” said Mayor Gutierrez.
The remains thought to be Molina’s have been sent to Medellin for identification and an autopsy.
According to Gutierrez, he had to deliver the “heartbreaking news” to Molina’s father, who had traveled from the U.S. to Colombia upon learning his son was missing.
“We stand with his family and friends during this tough time,” the mayor stated.
Molina, 32, was a flight attendant based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He had flown into Medellin from Miami on March 21.
After a brief overnight stay, he was supposed to catch a flight back the following morning but never made it to the airport.
Molina was reportedly last seen in the La America neighborhood of Medellin, an area that doesn’t typically see many tourists.
A close friend mentioned that Molina had been invited out but was later found unconscious and taken to a hospital.
Prior to his disappearance, Molina sent a message from an Airbnb in El Poblado, approximately 19 miles from the airport, detailing his location.
It remains uncertain whether Molina was a victim of violence. Mayor Gutierrez has called for “justice” against those responsible.
At the moment, no suspects are in custody, and the cause of death has yet to be established.
“The police and public prosecutor’s office are conducting a thorough investigation that should lead to identifying the responsible party,” he mentioned.
As the search continued, Molina’s family voiced their growing despair. “I want to believe he’s alive and hold onto that hope, but every day feels longer and emptier without any news,” said Ernesto Carranza, Molina’s partner.
A press conference is planned for Saturday, where officials will share more details regarding this tragic incident.
