The bodies of three individuals have been discovered in a popular tourist area in Mexico where an American and two Australians went missing while on a camping and surfing trip. The American, Jack Carter Rhoad, 30, and Australian brothers Callum Robinson, 33, and Jake Robinson, 30, were last seen on April 27 and did not show up at their planned accommodation. Investigators found the bodies dumped in a pit while searching for the trio, although officials have not confirmed if they belong to the missing men. Forensic tests will be conducted to positively identify the remains.
The bodies were found in a rugged hillside area near the town of Ensenada, about 90 minutes south of the U.S.-Mexico border. Investigators are continuing to search the area for additional evidence. Three people have been arrested and charged with a crime equivalent to kidnapping, although it is unclear if they may face additional charges. Details regarding the injuries or cause of death of the victims have not been disclosed. The prosecutor’s office is withholding important information from the public and all lines of investigation remain open.
The Baja California Attorney General’s Office has been in contact with the FBI and the victims’ relatives, as well as consular agencies. The mother of the missing Australian brothers posted an appeal for help on social media, noting that one of her sons is diabetic. The State Department has placed Baja California under a “reconsider travel” advisory due to crime and kidnapping. While drug cartels are known to be active in the area, authorities are exploring all possible leads in the case and have not ruled out any possibilities until the victims are found.
In a similar incident in 2015, two Australian surfers were killed in Sinaloa state by highway bandits. The victims in the current case were last seen near their tents and a burned-out vehicle on a remote stretch of coast. Video footage shows rescuers installing ropes to access the pit where the bodies were found. As forensic tests are conducted at a state laboratory, more details are expected to be revealed. The investigation is ongoing, with officials working to gather more evidence and determine the exact circumstances surrounding the deaths of the three individuals.
