Family Says Body Found In Colombia Identified As Missing Us Flight Attendant

A assemblage recovered successful Colombia has been identified arsenic a formation attendant from nan U.S., who had gone missing successful nan South American country, according to his family.

Eric Fernando Gutiérrez Molina, a 32-year-old American Airlines formation attendant from nan Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas, vanished aft a nighttime retired pinch a workfellow connected March 21 during a layover successful Medellín, his longtime partner, Ernesto Carranza, and champion friend, Sharom Gil, told CBS News.

Medellín Mayor Federico Gutiérrez announced connected societal media Friday that a “lifeless body” was recovered “between nan municipality of Jericó and Puente Iglesias.” He said location was a “high probability” that it was Gutiérrez Molina.

“We definitive our solidarity to his family and friends. I person conscionable personally delivered nan achy news to his father, who is successful Medellín,” nan politician said.

On Monday, Mayra Gutiérrez, Gutiérrez Molina’s sister, told NBC News nan assemblage was identified by Colombian authorities arsenic her brother.

Gutiérrez Molina’s brother, Kelvin Gutierrez, group up a GoFundMe page for nan formation attendant.

“It is pinch profound sadness we stock nan passing of Fernando Gutierrez,” nan online fundraising page read. “Fernando’s characteristic will ever beryllium remembered arsenic a shot of sunshine arsenic he entered and exited a room. He will ever beryllium remembered arsenic a docile, charismatic, goofy man who ever provided a helping hand.”

The Independent has reached retired to American Airlines and Gutiérrez Molina’s family for comment.

Gutiérrez Molina was calved and raised successful El Salvador and later became a U.S. citizen, according to nan GoFundMe page. The family asked for donations to thief bring Gutiérrez Molina from Colombia to Texas.

Medellín Security Secretary Manuel Villa precocious said astatine a news convention that Gutiérrez Molina was pinch his workfellow successful Itagüí erstwhile they near 1 location to spell to a 2nd location successful nan aforesaid metropolis pinch others, per NBC News.

The workfellow made it backmost to her edifice “somewhat disoriented,” Villa said, but Gutiérrez Molina had vanished.

Villa said Gutiérrez Molina and his workfellow encountered group “with a history of committing theft” utilizing scopolamine. Scopolamine is simply a medicine that helps pinch nausea and vomiting. It tin origin terrible dizziness and hallucinations, nan Cleveland Clinic warns.

“The investigations carried retired by nan Police and nan Prosecutor's Office are very precocious and they would person very clear leads connected those responsible,” Mayor Gutiérrez said Friday. “Let justness beryllium done. Even, that those responsible beryllium requested successful extradition.”

American Airlines said it was “heartbroken by nan tragic passing of our colleague.”

“Our thoughts and support are pinch his family, loved ones and colleagues during this difficult time, and we are doing each we tin to assistance Colombian rule enforcement successful its investigation,” nan hose said successful a connection shared by NBC News.