José Gutiérrez, a Cincinnati architect and graduate of the University of Miami, went missing on Christmas Day while traveling to Mexico.
A van, which authorities believe Gutiérrez and others used, was found riddled with bullet holes this week, according to TV Azteca.
According to the report, Gutiérrez traveled with three other people during his visit to see his fiancée. They all remain missing.
The van’s tires had burst and an airbag had deployed. There were 12 bullet holes in the vehicle, including one through the rear window, the report said.
Authorities said an unidentified deceased man was found in another vehicle on the same property as the van.
Both vehicles were in the rural community of “el cuidado” in the Tepepongo municipality of Zacatecas state, the report said.
Gutiérrez was visiting Zacatecas, but it is unclear how far the location where he was staying was from where the van was found.
Gutiérrez’s family remains hopeful that he is alive and told Enquirer media partner Fox19 that they pray every night for his safe return. The family has been in contact with the FBI and other government officials, as well as Senator Sherrod Brown.
Enquirer media partner Fox19 contributed to this report.
