Three bodies found in a well near Mexico’s Baja peninsula have been identified as two Australian surfers and one American who went missing during a camping and surfing trip. The relatives of the victims recognized the corpses, which were located about 4 miles from where the foreigners were killed and appeared to have been dumped there by thieves who wanted to steal their truck tires. The well also contained a fourth cadaver that had been there for much longer. Three suspects have been apprehended in connection with the case, which was solved relatively quickly compared to the disappearances of many Mexicans.
The surfers had been camping along a remote stretch of coast before they disappeared, with images of their trip posted on social media showing waves and isolated beaches. Chief state prosecutor María Elena Andrade Ramírez described a likely scenario where the thieves attempted to steal from the tourists and resorted to violence when confronted. The thieves allegedly dumped the bodies in a well that was difficult to access and covered it with boards, making it challenging to locate. It took two hours to retrieve the bodies from the well, and investigators were exploring the possibility that the suspects had committed similar crimes in the past.
The families of the victims expressed their deep sorrow, and Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers extended sympathy to the Robinson family. The well where the bodies were discovered was near the area where the missing men’s tents and truck were found, leading to questions about the safety of camping in remote areas along the coast. The victims embraced adventure, as evidenced by Callum Robinson’s Instagram slogan. At a news conference, Andrade Ramírez was questioned about the rapid search effort for the foreigners compared to the handling of cases involving local disappearances, emphasizing that each investigation is unique.
Mourners, surfers, and demonstrators gathered in Ensenada to mourn the deaths and demand safer conditions for surfers and tourists. A protester held a sign declaring “Australia, we are with you” while another displayed a message lamenting the lack of safety in the region. Surfers performed a “paddle-out” ceremony in the ocean to honor the deceased. Baja California prosecutors were interrogating three individuals in connection with the killings, with two suspects facing drug charges and potentially additional charges related to the murders. One suspect, Jesús Gerardo, known as “el Kekas,” had a criminal record and may have had accomplices.
The mother of the missing Australians had appealed for help in locating her sons, who had booked accommodation in Rosarito. The American who was with them was identified as Jack Carter Rhoad, although the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City had not confirmed this information. The U.S. State Department acknowledged reports of a missing American citizen in Baja. This incident comes after the 2015 case of two Australian surfers who were killed by highway bandits in western Sinaloa state, across the Gulf of California from the Baja peninsula. Three suspects were arrested in that case.
