In a heartbreaking new development that has intensified the investigation into the murder of 32-year-old American Airlines flight attendant Eric Fernando Gutiérrez Molina, his best friend has come forward with explosive details from what may have been his final phone conversation — revealing a terrified young man who sensed he was being targeted for something far more sinister than a simple robbery.

Gutiérrez Molina vanished during a layover in Medellín, Colombia, on March 22, 2026, after a night out with colleagues in the El Poblado district. His body was later discovered in a remote rural area between Jericó and Puente Iglesias, confirmed through fingerprints in coordination with the FBI. The grim find has left his family devastated and authorities scrambling to piece together the final hours of his life.

Sharom Gil, identified as one of Eric’s closest friends, spoke out in recent interviews, describing the last time she communicated with him. According to Gil, Eric sounded unusually scared during the call. He reportedly told her that something didn’t feel right and that he believed he was being followed or watched. The friend emphasized that Eric was not someone prone to paranoia — his words carried real fear, suggesting he had stumbled into a dangerous situation that went beyond a typical street crime.

This revelation has shifted the focus of the investigation. While early theories centered on robbery involving scopolamine (the notorious “devil’s breath” drug known for incapacitating victims in Colombia), the best friend’s account points to a more calculated, personal, or organized motive. Investigators are now examining whether Gutiérrez Molina was specifically targeted — possibly due to his role as a flight attendant with access to international routes, or because he unwittingly witnessed or became involved in something he shouldn’t have during the layover.

Colombian authorities, working alongside the FBI, have identified individuals last seen with him that night, some with criminal histories linked to scopolamine-facilitated thefts. However, the remote location where the body was found and the mysterious messages reportedly sent to his MacBook during the critical hours after he went missing suggest a level of planning and intent that goes beyond opportunistic crime.

American Airlines expressed profound sorrow and confirmed full cooperation with law enforcement. The victim’s longtime partner, Ernesto Carranza, and other family members who traveled to Medellín have been left shattered, pleading for justice and answers. Friends remember Eric as a kind, vibrant, and dedicated crew member who loved traveling the world and connecting with people.

The best friend’s bombshell disclosure has sparked intense speculation online and among investigators. Was Eric lured into a trap? Did he possess information that made him a threat? Or was this part of a larger criminal network preying on airline personnel during layovers? The combination of the fearful final call, possible drugging, the isolated body site, and the unexplained digital messages has created a chilling picture of a murder that may involve deeper layers of deception and danger.

As forensic results and further interviews continue, authorities are treating the case with the highest priority. The hope remains that the clues from that final phone conversation — and the evidence left at the discovery site — will lead to those responsible and bring some measure of closure to Eric’s grieving loved ones.

This tragic case serves as a stark reminder of the hidden risks that can exist even during routine work travel. For now, the aviation community mourns one of their own, while the search for truth behind the dark, twisted motive continues.