Authorities in Colombia believe they’ve found the body of a missing Dallas-based American Airlines flight attendant who disappeared during a layover in Medellín nearly a week ago.
Medellín’s mayor confirmed Friday on social media that a body was discovered between the municipalities of Jericó and Puente Iglesias and that there is a “very high probability” it is 32-year-old Eric Fernando Gutiérrez Molina, a U.S. citizen who had been missing since Sunday. He said the body has been transported to the legal medicine authorities in Medellín for identification.
Mayor Federico Gutiérrez said he personally informed Molina’s father, who is currently in Medellín, of the discovery, and he has notified both the U.S. ambassador to Colombia and the Consul General about the case.
“We express our solidarity to his family and friends,” the mayor said in a statement. He goes on to say that Colombian police and prosecutors would “have very clear leads on those responsible.”
He also said extradition could be sought for anyone implicated in Molina’s death.
“Let justice be done,” the mayor said.
Molina had been missing for five days after going out with a co-worker last weekend in Medellín’s popular El Poblado district. Friends said the two were seen leaving a nightclub with another man, whom authorities said at the time they believed may have been involved in his disappearance.
Investigators suspect Molina may have been drugged after his co-worker was later found disoriented.
He was last heard from that night, and when he failed to report for duty the next day, friends immediately grew concerned.
“He is always communicating, either with me, his family, his friends. He’s always on the phone,” said Ernesto Carranza, Molina’s partner. “For him not to show up on time for work was a red flag all by itself.”
Carranza said when they checked his phone location, it wasn’t anywhere near the hotel where Molina was supposed to be staying.
The U.S. State Department, which had previously warned travelers about violent crime in Colombia, said it is closely monitoring the case. American Airlines said it is cooperating with authorities and providing support to Molina’s family.
The mayor said he plans to hold a press conference to release additional details.
