Three young 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 American friend Carter Rhoad, were found at the bottom of a well in Baja California after a days-long search. All three men, who were in their early 30s, had been shot in the head. The victims were identified by their relatives without the need for genetic testing. The men had gone missing while on a surfing holiday near the town of Ensenada, and it is believed they were killed after resisting an attempt to steal their pick-up truck.
The discovery of the bodies has prompted sympathy and shock from around the world, with Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers expressing condolences to the Robinson family. The case has led to the arrest of three suspects, including two men and one woman, who are suspected of involvement in the crime. One of the suspects has a history of violence, drug dealing, and robbery. The bodies were found in an advanced state of decomposition, and another corpse found at the site was unrelated to the three surfers. The men were last seen on April 27 and reported missing a couple of days later, prompting a multi-day search with assistance from the FBI.
Baja California, where the men were killed, is known for its inviting beaches but is also one of Mexico’s most violent states due to organized crime gangs. The Ensenada area, where the men were last seen, is considered among the safer areas of the region. The case has raised questions about the response to disappearances of local people in the area, with one reporter asking why it often takes weeks, months, or even years for action to be taken in those cases. The state prosecutor responded that every investigation is different, and the rapid search for the foreigners was not necessarily representative of how cases are typically handled in the region.
In response to the deaths of the three surfers, mourners, surfers, and demonstrators gathered in Ensenada to pay their respects and voice their anger over the incident. Protesters carried placards stating that “Ensenada is a mass grave” and marched with messages appealing for beaches, security, freedom, and peace. The surfers’ tragic deaths have highlighted the dangers that can exist even in popular tourist areas, and the community has come together to mourn their loss and call for justice. The investigation into the deaths is ongoing, and the arrests of the suspects are a key development in the case.
