José Gutiérrez, a Cincinnati architect and Miami University graduate, went missing on Christmas day during a trip to Mexico.
A van, which authorities believe Gutiérrez and others were using, was found riddled with bullet holes this week, according to TV Azteca.
According to the report, Gutiérrez was traveling with three other people during his visit to see his fiancée. All of them remain missing.
The van’s tires were blown and an airbag had been deployed. There were 12 bullet holes in the vehicle including one through the rear window, the report states.
Authorities said an unidentified deceased man was found in another vehicle on the same property as the van.
Both vehicles were located in the rural community of “el cuidado” in the municipality of Tepepongo in the state of Zacatecas, the report states.
Gutiérrez was visiting Zacatecas, but it is unclear how far away the location 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 they are praying every night for his safe return. The family has been in contact with the FBI and other government officials as well as Sen. Sherrod Brown.
Enquirer media partner Fox19 contributed to this report.