Authorities in Mexico have confirmed that three tourists found dead were shot in the head and their bodies were dumped in a well.
The victims, Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson, aged 30 and 33 respectively, along with their American friend Jack Carter Rhoad, aged 30, disappeared on 27 April while on a surfing trip in Ensenada.
Relatives of the three men identified their bodies on Sunday after travelling to Mexico to assist authorities, according to a state prosecutor.
Officials suspect that the men were attacked while trying to prevent the theft of their pickup truck. The attackers allegedly sought the vehicle for its tyres and shot the tourists when they resisted, suggested Baja California state prosecutor Maria Andrade.
Their bodies were discovered in a 4m (15ft) deep well approximately 6km (4 miles) from the site of the attack in the town of Santo Tomás on Friday.
Abandoned tents, a burnt white pickup truck, and a phone linked to the missing surfers were found nearby.
Additionally, a fourth body was found in the well, but officials stated that it had been there longer and was unrelated to the case.
Two men and a woman have been detained on suspicion of direct or indirect involvement in the attack. One man has been charged with “forced disappearance”.
Previously, the FBI announced that it was investigating the case and was collaborating with international partners.
Baja California, known for its surfing conditions, is considered safer than other parts of Mexico despite being one of the country’s most violent states, as local drug gangs engage in turf wars.
Deborah and Martin Robinson, parents of the brothers, expressed profound grief over the loss of Callum, who had been pursuing his aspiration of becoming a professional lacrosse player in the US. Jake was visiting Callum on a trip before embarking on a new career as a doctor in Victoria, described by the couple as “the trip of a lifetime.”
“Callum and Jake are beautiful human beings. We love them so much and this breaks our heart,” they said in a statement on Friday.
Friends of the brothers flooded social media with tributes, recalling Callum’s larger-than-life personality and Jake’s warmth and kindness. Callum’s teammates at Stevenson University Lacrosse club fondly remembered him as “big koala” for his warm and friendly demeanor.
His girlfriend, Emily Horwath, shared her devastation on Instagram, expressing her eternal love for Callum alongside heartfelt memories.
Carter Rhoad’s social media portrayed joyful moments, including his proposal to his partner less than a year ago. A fundraiser initiated by his family’s friends highlighted the immense joy and kindness that Carter and the Robinson brothers brought into the world.
Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers expressed solidarity with the Robinson family, acknowledging the harrowing ordeal they are enduring.
The tragic incident has sparked fear and anger in the Ensenada region, with scores of protesters marching through the city demanding safer beaches. Many carried surfboards adorned with messages of support, reflecting the global community’s solidarity with Australia. A group of surfers later held a “paddle-out” ceremony in the ocean, paying tribute to the trio in a solemn and poignant display of remembrance.
