Crime Missing Architect Traveling in Mexico Confirmed Dead Near Bullet-Ridden Van Along with Fiancée, Relatives Jose Gutierrez, his fiancée, and two relatives were traveling in a van at the time of their Dec. 25 disappearance By Nicole Acosta Nicole Acosta Nicole Acosta is a staff writer on the crime team at PEOPLE. She previously worked at Daily Voice and doNYC and is a Mercy College (now University) graduate. People Editorial Guidelines Published on January 25, 2023 01:09PM EST An Ohio architect and his fiancée who had been missing in Mexico since Christmas Day have been found dead, the man's employer confirmed. "It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we inform you of the death of our colleague and friend, José Gutierrez, who died tragically while visiting his fiancée, Daniela Pichardo, in Mexico during the holidays," reads a Jan. 24 Facebook post by Champlin Architecture. "He was a valuable member of the Champlin team, working on projects for clients such as The Christ Hospital, Hamilton County, St. Elizabeth Healthcare, and University of Cincinnati. His work bettered the lives of those in the community he chose to make his home." Ohio Architect, Fiancée and 2 Family Members Missing in Mexico Since Christmas Day The confirmation comes days after Mexican authorities found four bodies near a bullet-riddled van in which 36-year-old Gutierrez, his fiancée, and two relatives were traveling in at the time of their disappearance. Officials have verified the identities of the bodies as Gutierrez's fiancée, Daniela Márquez, her sister Viviana, and their cousin Irma Vargas, Gutierrez's siblings told Cincinnati's Fox 19 on Jan. 20. The family previously said that authorities were awaiting DNA confirmation to determine whether the fourth body was Gutierrez's. Authorities Find 4 Bodies Near Bullet-Ridden Van Missing Ohio Architect and Fiancée Were Traveling In Daniela Márquez and Jose Gutierrez. Twitter Gutierrez went missing after eating at a bar with Márquez in Zacatecas in central Mexico on Dec. 25. Márquez's mother, Rosa Pichardo, had previously reported to officials that the group was set to return to Márquez's home in Colotlán, Jalisco state that night. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. The Zacatecas Attorney General said in a statement to NBC News that their vehicle was found near a burial site in Zacatecas, which is located midway between Monterrey and Mexico City. The State Department currently has a "Do not travel" advisory for the state due to widespread "violent crime, extortion, and gang activity." Champlin Architecture announced it will be launching a scholarship in Gutierrez's name at Miami University "in order to honor his impact to our firm and the community."