A body found in Colombia has been identified by authorities as missing U.S. flight attendant Eric Fernando Gutiérrez Molina, his sister told NBC News on Monday.
The 32-year-old American Airlines flight attendant from Texas disappeared while 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 on 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.
Medellin Mayor Federico Gutiérrez announced on social media on Friday that “a lifeless body has just been found between the municipality of Jericó and Puente Iglesias.”
The mayor said at the time that the body was 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.”
Gutiérrez also said authorities suspected foul play, adding that officials “have very clear leads on those responsible.”
The mayor did not immediately respond to a request for comment on 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 coworker 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 individuals “with a history of committing theft” using scopolamine, an anti-nausea medication that can cause drowsiness and confusion. The investigation remains ongoing, he said.
A brother of Gutiérrez Molina on Saturday asked 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 coming to the U.S. and becoming 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 to NBC News on 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.
