Updated March 29, 2026
Colombian authorities located a body Friday during the search for Eric Fernando Gutierrez Molina, a 32-year-old American Airlines flight attendant who went missing while on layover in Medellín, the city’s mayor said.
Gutierrez Molina, a U.S. citizen and resident of North Texas, was last seen Saturday evening after spending time at a bar in El Poblado, a neighborhood frequented by international visitors. He had been scheduled to operate a return flight from Medellín to Miami on Sunday. His longtime partner, Ernesto Carranza, said he became concerned when he could not reach him Sunday morning.
Medellín Mayor Fico Gutiérrez said authorities found a “lifeless body” between the municipalities of Jericó and Puente Iglesias during the search and that there is a “very high probability that it is this person.” Officials transported the body to Medellín’s coroner’s office for formal identification. The mayor said he personally informed Gutierrez Molina’s father, who was in Medellín, and extended condolences to the family and friends.
An official investigation is underway, and authorities have not released further details.
In an internal memo to staff, American Airlines said it was “heartbroken to share the news” of Gutierrez Molina’s death, that it is working closely with Colombian authorities, and that it is providing support to his family and assisting with arrangements to return his remains.
Carranza told CBS News that, after losing contact, his partner’s phone showed pings from two locations in Medellín that were not near his hotel. A friend, Sharom Gil, said the other flight attendant who was with Gutierrez Molina that night reported not remembering parts of the evening.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombia said it is limited in what it can disclose about individual cases because of federal privacy laws. The State Department said it was aware of reports of the disappearance, was closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to offer consular assistance.
Further reporting contributed by José Diaz, Kathryn Krupnik and Cristian Benavides.