Authorities have identified a body found in Colombia as that of missing U.S. flight attendant Eric Fernando Guti\u00e9rrez Molina, his sister told NBC News on Monday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Guti\u00e9rrez Molina, 32, an American Airlines flight attendant from Texas, disappeared while he was out with his colleagues in Medell\u00edn, Colombia, during a layover last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mayra Guti\u00e9rrez, Guti\u00e9rrez Molina\u2019s sister, said Monday that Colombian authorities had confirmed to the family that her brother\u2019s body was found Friday in the northeast region of the South American country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is with profound sadness we share the passing of Fernando Gutierrez. Fernando\u2019s personality will always be remembered as a ball of sunshine as he entered and exited a room,\u201d the family wrote in a GoFundMe post. \u201cHe will always be remembered as a docile, charismatic, goofy man who always provided a helping hand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFernando\u2019s life was tragically cut short while on a work trip in Medellin, Colombia,\u201d the family wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Medell\u00edn Mayor Federico Guti\u00e9rrez announced on social media Friday that \u201ca lifeless body has just been found between the municipality of Jeric\u00f3 and Puente Iglesias.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The mayor said at the time that the body was most likely that of Guti\u00e9rrez Molina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere is a very high probability that it is this person. The lifeless body is being transported to legal medicine in Medell\u00edn for identification and recognition,\u201d Guti\u00e9rrez wrote on X. \u201cWe express our solidarity to his family and friends. I have just personally delivered the painful news to his father, who is in Medell\u00edn.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Guti\u00e9rrez also said authorities suspected foul play, adding that officials \u201chave very clear leads on those responsible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Earlier in the week, Medell\u00edn Security Secretary Manuel Villa said at a news conference that Guti\u00e9rrez Molina was in Colombia on business and was out in the city of Itag\u00fc\u00ed with a co-worker. Guti\u00e9rrez Molina and the co-worker left an establishment to go to a second location with others, also in Itag\u00fc\u00ed, Villa said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The co-worker arrived back at the hotel she was staying at, but \u201cshe arrived somewhat disoriented,\u201d he said. Guti\u00e9rrez Molina had not been seen since.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Villa said their investigation had determined that Guti\u00e9rrez Molina and the woman encountered people \u201cwith a history of committing theft\u201d using scopolamine, an anti-nausea medication that can cause drowsiness and confusion. The investigation continues, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A brother of Guti\u00e9rrez Molina asked Saturday that people keep their family \u201cin 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,\u201d the brother told NBC Dallas-Fort Worth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The family said on GoFundMe that Guti\u00e9rrez Molina was born and raised in El Salvador before he came to the U.S. and became a citizen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHis mother describes him as a person with a beautiful soul that was quickly recognized by anyone,\u201d the family wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cErnesto, his partner of many years, will always remember and cherish the beautiful person he was,\u201d the family wrote. \u201cHe was the sunshine in his life and will forever remember and cherish him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
American Airlines said in a statement Monday that it was \u201cheartbroken by the tragic passing of our colleague.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur 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,\u201d the airline said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n