American Airlines Flight Attendant Found Dead After Suspected Devil's Breath Attack in Colombia

A Night Out Turns Deadly

What began as a routine overnight layover in Medellín ended in tragedy for Eric Fernando Gutiérrez Molina, a 32-year-old Dallas-based American Airlines flight attendant, who was found dead in Colombia on Friday . The discovery of his body between two rural municipalities brought a grim conclusion to a week-long search that had gripped both his family and the aviation community.

Gutiérrez Molina disappeared Saturday after he and at least one co-worker went to a local club in the El Poblado nightlife district during an overnight layover . He reportedly met two men and decided to go to another location, while his co-worker was found disoriented and required medical attention, leading to fears the visitors had been drugged . He had been set to staff a flight from Medellín to Miami on Sunday, but his partner said he was unable to reach the flight attendant that morning .

Criminal Pattern Emerges

Colombian security officials revealed that investigators identified the people last seen with Gutierrez Molina, and that they had a history of committing theft using scopolamine, an incapacitating drug known as 'devil's breath' . The criminal underworld is known to use scopolamine, which makes people compliant or lose consciousness .

According to the U.S. Embassy in Colombia, scopolamine has been used for years to carry out robberies of people targeted while visiting bars and nightclubs in Medellín, Cartagena, and Bogotá. The drug is a sedative that often leaves the victim disoriented, with no memory and sedated, "so they are easily robbed" . The plant's seeds can be crushed into an odorless, tasteless powder that can be mixed into drinks, and authorities said the drug is common enough that some bars and clubs warn customers with signs that urge them to stay alert .

Desperate Search Ends

According to an update from the mayor of Medellín, a body was located between Jericó and Puente Iglesias. Gutierrez's father, who is currently in Medellín, was notified . Back in Texas, his partner of 10 years and other relatives have been awaiting answers. His father traveled to Colombia to assist in the search .

American Airlines said it was "actively engaged" with local law enforcement and was providing support to Gutierrez's family during the ongoing investigation . His cause of death is currently unknown as a medical examiner works to determine if Gutierrez was the victim of a crime .

Growing Safety Concerns

This tragic case highlights the dangers facing travelers in Colombia, particularly in tourist areas where criminals specifically target foreign visitors. Colombia carries a Level 3 "Reconsider Travel" advisory from the U.S. State Department, citing crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. Certain regions carry the most severe Level 4 "Do Not Travel" designation .

For airline crews and travelers alike, the incident underscores the importance of staying vigilant during layovers and avoiding unfamiliar locations with strangers. The sophisticated nature of scopolamine attacks—where victims become compliant without memory of events—makes prevention through awareness and caution the primary defense against such crimes.