American Airlines Flight Attendant Reported Missing After Vanishing During Layover in Colombia

Eric Fernando Gutierrez Molina, a 32-year-old flight attendant for American Airlines, has gone missing during a layover in Medellín, Colombia. His friends and family are growing increasingly concerned as the situation unfolds. Despite previous correspondence, Molina has not been in contact since the early hours of March 22.

Reports indicate that Molina sent a message detailing his location at an Airbnb in the El Poblado neighbourhood on the morning he disappeared. He had been in Medellín with a colleague for a short stay before their scheduled flight back to Miami. According to local media, they had planned an evening out in the vibrant El Poblado area, known for its nightlife, before the night took a troubling turn.

Witness accounts suggest that Molina and his coworker encountered two local men who showed interest in continuing their night out after the club they were in had closed. The last confirmed sighting of Molina was in the La América neighbourhood, not far from where he had been staying. Since then, he has not communicated with anyone, leaving his loved ones anxious and searching for answers.

Sharom Gil, a friend of Molina’s, shared with reporters that their efforts to contact him have been fruitless, stating, “Our messages no longer reach him.” While they were able to trace his phone to a residential location, there has been no confirmation of his wellbeing. This uncertainty has heightened the urgency of the situation, prompting friends and family to raise awareness and seek help from authorities.

In response to Molina’s disappearance, American Airlines has confirmed that they are cooperating with local law enforcement and have extended support to Molina’s family. The airline released a statement emphasising their commitment to assisting in the investigation, while also expressing concern for their missing colleague.

Local authorities have been alerted, and a missing persons report has been filed both in Dallas and Medellín. The U.S. Embassy in Colombia has also been notified, signalling the seriousness of the situation. Local news outlets in Colombia have been actively covering the case, hoping to encourage anyone with information to come forward.

The Association of Professional Flight Attendants has voiced their concern and expressed their commitment to helping locate Molina. In statements released to various media outlets, they indicated that they are providing support for efforts aimed at locating him.

This incident highlights a broader safety concern for travellers in Colombia. In April 2025, the U.S. State Department had issued a travel advisory, recommending that Americans “reconsider travel” to Colombia, due to concerns surrounding crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. Such warnings underscore the risks associated with travelling to certain areas of the country, raising alarms not only for tourists but also for those working in the aviation industry.

As the situation develops, Molina’s friends and family remain hopeful for his safe return. Meanwhile, they continue to call upon law enforcement and the community for their assistance in locating him. The ongoing investigation and growing media coverage may offer a glimmer of hope that he will soon be found.