Two men have been arrested in connection with the murder of American Airlines flight attendant Eric Fernando Gutierrez Molina, authorities announced. The suspects, Andrés Felipe Peña Corrales, 23, and William Olave Gamboa, 31, are believed to be linked to a gang that targets tourists in Colombia.
Gutierrez Molina, 32, was a Dallas-based flight attendant. He disappeared during a layover in Medellín, Colombia, in March. Following an extensive international investigation, the suspects were captured in Peru.
Peña Corrales has been returned to Colombia to face charges. Olave Gamboa remains in Peru awaiting extradition. They are charged with aggravated homicide and robbery in Colombia.
“This successful outcome reflects the strong commitment of the United States, Colombia, and Peru.” — U.S. Embassy in Colombia
A third suspect, María del Carmen González, 24, was arrested in Montería, Colombia. She is accused of assisting in money laundering but was not directly involved in the killing.
The suspects are allegedly members of Los Goteros, a group that contacts tourists through dating apps. They reportedly drug, rob, and steal from victims. Investigators believe that Gutierrez Molina met several people via a dating app before going to a nightclub in Medellín. There, he and a coworker were allegedly drugged at a hotel, and their items were stolen.
Reports suggest that scopolamine, a drug used to incapacitate victims, might have been used. Gutierrez Molina was strangled, while his coworker survived.
After accessing Gutierrez Molina’s bank accounts and stealing his valuables, investigators say the group abandoned his body near Jericó, southwest of Medellín. It was discovered five days later.
The arrests follow a collaboration between U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, Colombian and Peruvian authorities. Their work aimed to protect international travelers from such crimes.
The investigation continues to determine if Los Goteros used this method on other tourists.