Two Australians and an American were killed by thieves during a surfing trip to Mexico in a brutal crime to steal their truck, specifically targeting the tires. The bodies were found decomposing in a remote well near where the foreigners were last seen alive. Family members were asked to identify the bodies visually, with the possibility of genetic testing if needed. The victims, brothers Jake and Callum Robinson from Australia, and American Jack Carter Rhoad, were camping and surfing along the coast of Baja California. The attackers targeted them for their vehicle and killed them in a struggle when they resisted.
The assailants also burned the foreigners’ tents before dumping their bodies in a well that was difficult to access. The thieves covered the well with boards, making it almost impossible to locate. The victims’ tents and truck were found near the well, indicating the location where the crime took place. The area where the bodies were discovered has raised concerns among local expats about the safety of camping in remote regions. Despite the picturesque photos posted by the victims on social media, the dangers of traveling to isolated areas are now being questioned.
The victims were known for their adventurous lifestyle, as seen in Callum Robinson’s Instagram motto: “If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much room.” The discovery of the bodies led to an outpouring of anger and sadness from the community, with surfers and demonstrators gathering to demand justice. Protesters held signs condemning the violence and expressing solidarity with the victims’ families. The Baja California prosecutors were questioning suspects in the case, some of whom were arrested on drug charges. The suspects may face additional charges related to the murders.
The mother of the missing Australians had made a public appeal for help in locating her sons after they went missing. The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City did not immediately confirm the identity of the American victim, Jack Carter Rhoad. The State Department acknowledged reports of a missing U.S. citizen in the region. This incident is not the first involving violence against foreign surfers in Mexico, as two Australian surfers were killed in a similar manner in Sinaloa in 2015. Authorities in that case arrested three suspects believed to be responsible for the crime. The recent killings have once again highlighted the dangers faced by travelers in remote areas of Mexico.
