Three men, an American and two Australians, were killed during a camping and surfing trip along Mexico’s Pacific coast. The bodies of Australian brothers Callum and Jake Robinson, as well as their friend Carter Rhoad, were found at the bottom of a well in Baja California after a days-long search. The victims, all in their early 30s, had been shot in the head, and their bodies were identified by their relatives without the need for genetic tests.
The three men went missing while on a surfing holiday near the popular tourist town of Ensenada, about 90 minutes south of the US-Mexico border. It is believed that they were killed after resisting an attempt to steal their pick-up truck, which was found nearby after being set on fire. Three suspects, two men and one woman, have been arrested in connection with the case, one of whom has a history of violence, drug dealing, and robbery.
The bodies of the three surfers were recovered from a well about 50 feet deep, in an advanced state of decomposition. Another corpse found at the site had been there longer and was unrelated to the others. The surfers had been last seen on April 27 and were reported missing a couple of days later, prompting a multi-day search involving the FBI. Baja California, known for its inviting beaches, is also one of Mexico’s most violent states due to organised crime.
At a news conference, state prosecutor Maria Elena Andrade Ramírez was questioned by a reporter who expressed concern about the disparity in response time for investigations involving foreigners versus locals who go missing. Demonstrators gathered in Ensenada to mourn the surfers and express anger over their deaths, with placards reading “Ensenada is a mass grave” and protesters carrying surfboards with messages of peace and solidarity with Australia.
Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers expressed sympathy for the Robinson family and condemned the horrific ordeal faced by the victims and their loved ones. The arrests of three suspects in connection with the case shed light on the violent nature of the crime, which took place in a popular tourist area known for its beaches. The swift and extensive search efforts for the missing surfers raise questions about disparities in response times for investigations involving locals versus foreigners in the region.
The tragic deaths of the three men highlight the dangers faced by tourists in certain parts of Mexico, despite the country’s appeal as a vacation destination. The surfers’ deaths have sparked outrage and grief among the community, leading to calls for greater safety measures and justice for the victims. The investigation into the killings continues, as authorities work to unravel the events that led to the deaths of the three surfers on their holiday trip along Mexico’s Pacific coast.
