Authorities have arrested two men accused of drugging and killing an American Airlines flight attendant during a layover in Colombia. The suspects are allegedly linked to a gang that targets tourists. Andrés Felipe Peña Corrales, 23, and William Olave Gamboa, 31, were apprehended in Peru in connection with the March killing of Eric Fernando Gutierrez Molina, 32. Gutierrez Molina, a flight attendant based in Dallas, went missing in Medellín, prompting an international search.
Peña Corrales has been extradited to Colombia to face charges, while Olave Gamboa is in Peruvian custody awaiting extradition. Both face charges of aggravated homicide and aggravated robbery. A third suspect, María del Carmen González, 24, was arrested separately in Montería, Colombia. Authorities allege she was involved in financial activities related to the stolen money.
Colombian police identified the three suspects as members of Los Goteros, a gang accused of preying on foreign tourists via dating apps. They allegedly drug victims to steal money and valuables. Investigations revealed that Gutierrez Molina might have been contacted through such an app before meeting people at a Medellín nightclub.
The group allegedly took Gutierrez Molina and a coworker to a hotel, where they were drugged. Scopolamine, known as “Devil’s Breath,” may have been used, though toxicology results are not confirmed. Gutierrez Molina was reportedly strangled while his coworker survived. The suspects are accused of accessing bank accounts and discarding his body near Jericó.
The arrests followed a months-long investigation involving U.S. Homeland Security, Colombian prosecutors, and Peruvian authorities. In a joint statement, the U.S. Embassy in Colombia highlighted the mutual effort to bring these criminals to justice. They acknowledged contributions from the Mayor’s Office of Medellín, Colombia’s and Peru’s National Police.
Gutierrez Molina disappeared in March during a layover in Medellín. He had shared his location from an Airbnb near José María Córdova International Airport before communication ceased, leading to his being reported missing. Days later, his body was found near Jericó. American Airlines offered condolences and assistance in the investigation.
Investigators are working to determine if other tourists were victimized by Los Goteros in similar schemes.
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