They shed light on the tragic end of American Airlines crewman Eric Gutiérrez: he was summoned by app in Medellín and his killers would end up in the United States.

Authorities in Medellín have arrested three individuals suspected of involvement in the murder of Eric Gutiérrez, a flight attendant employed by American Airlines who was killed during a visit to the city. The arrests were announced on July 31, 2026, following an extensive investigation into the case. Gutiérrez’s body was discovered on March 27, 2026, in the municipality of Jericó after he went missing several days earlier. His death has sparked international attention due to his status as a U.S. citizen and the cross-border nature of the crime. The police confirmed that two men and one woman had been captured in connection with the homicide and theft of Gutiérrez's belongings. According to officials, the suspects are linked to a criminal group known as "Los Goteros," which allegedly targets foreign tourists, particularly members of the LGBTQ+ community, through dating apps. Once trust is established, victims are lured to nightclubs and later taken to motels where they are drugged and robbed. Medical experts determined that Gutiérrez died from mechanical suffocation while under the influence of chemical substances administered by the perpetrators. The investigation revealed that Gutiérrez met with the suspects through a dating application and attended a nightclub in El Poblado. He was then transported to a hotel where he was allegedly drugged. During this time, the suspects stole approximately 30 million Colombian pesos worth of property, including money from his bank accounts and a gold chain. After committing the crime, the suspects fled the scene, leaving Gutiérrez’s body abandoned in a forested area of Jericó and his companion left behind in El Poblado, still under the effects of the drug. The suspects include Andrés Felipe Peña Corrales, a 23-year-old man who initially fled to Bogotá before escaping to Ecuador and Peru. He was captured in Peru using an Interpol Blue Notice and is being held pending extradition to Colombia. Another suspect, William Olave Gamboa, 31, was found in Peru after hiding in Ecuador. He is subject to a Red Notice from Interpol and is currently detained in Lima while legal procedures are completed for his transfer to Colombia. A third individual, María del Carmen González, 24, was apprehended in Montería, Córdoba. She faces charges related to cybercrime and is believed to have played a role in laundering stolen funds, though she is not directly linked to the homicide itself. The case has drawn significant attention from both national and international authorities. Local police worked alongside agencies such as the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Peruvian National Police, and Interpol to track down the suspects. The cooperation among these entities enabled the successful capture of the accused despite their attempts to flee across multiple countries. The mayor of Medellín, Federico Gutiérrez, emphasized the importance of delivering justice for the victim and ensuring that the perpetrators face legal consequences. He stated that the case highlights the need for stronger measures against organized crime and the protection of foreign nationals visiting Colombia. The legal implications of the case extend beyond Colombia, as the U.S. government may seek jurisdiction over the suspects due to Gutiérrez’s nationality. This could result in the defendants facing trial in the United States, adding another layer of complexity to the judicial process. The arrest of the three individuals marks a critical step in the investigation and underscores the effectiveness of international collaboration in combating transnational crimes. The case continues to unfold as authorities work to complete all necessary legal procedures and ensure that justice is served for the victim and his family.