Horrific news for family of missing Aussie brothers who disappeared in Mexico on a surfing holiday
After a desperate search for two Aussie brothers missing on a surf holiday in Mexico with an American friend, the families have been given the worst news.
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Three bodies found in northwest Mexico have been identified by relatives as being two Australian brothers and their American friend who vanished during a surfing trip, authorities have confirmed.
Perth-born Jake and Callum Robinson, aged 30 and 33, and American friend Jack Carter Rhoad, 30, were reported missing last week while camping in the notorious state of Baja California.
Their bodies were among four found 15m down a hidden well over the weekend, which was located near the last known campsite of the trio.
“The state prosecutor’s office confirms that the bodies found in the well in the area known as La Bocana, south of Ensenada, correspond to Jake and Callum (Robinson), of Australian origin, as well as the American (Jack) Carter,” officials said in a statement released on Monday afternoon.
“The confirmation comes once the victims’ relatives were able to identify them, without the need for genetic tests to be performed.”
Earlier on Monday, Baja California’s Attorney-General Maria Elena Andrade Ramirez said it was believed the men were shot in the head while resisting a robbery.
Ms Andrade Ramirez said a murder investigation was underway after the bodies were discovered in the well on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean almost a week later.
Three suspects have been charged with offences akin to kidnapping.
“The attackers drove by in their vehicle,” Ms Andrade Ramirez said.
“They approached, with the intention of stealing their vehicle and taking the tyres and other parts to put them on the older-model pickup they were driving.
“When they (the victims) came up and caught them, surely, they resisted.
“And these people, the assailants, took out a gun and first they killed the one who was putting up resistance against the vehicle theft, and then others came along and joined the fight to defend their property and their companion who had been attacked, and they killed them too.”
The burnt-out truck hired by the trio was found near where the bodies were discovered.
Ms Andrade Ramirez said the well in which the bodies were found had been covered with boards, making it “literally almost impossible to find”.
In posts on social media, Callum Robinson’s partner Emily Horwath shared a series of tributes to her boyfriend from loved ones over the past two days.
They described him as “one of the most beautiful and loving souls”, with Ms Horwath saying Callum was “one of one”.
“I’d give anything for one more koala hug,” she wrote in one post.
“My heart is shattered into a million pieces. I don’t have the words right now.”
Chilling detail about brothers’ Mexico map
It comes after a guilt-stricken friend of one of the Australian brothers revealed he gave the duo a hand-drawn map leading the them to the location where they would last be seen.
It comes as Mexican authorities have revealed new details about the suspects who killed brothers Jake and Callum Robinson, and their American friend Jack Rhoad.
San Diego photographer Randy Dible is guilt-stricken to hear the news about his neighbour and friend Callum. Just three weeks ago Dible had told Callum about his favourite surfing location in Baja, the quiet yet stunning La Bocana.
Callum was in search of good surf spots and was enthusiastic, so Dible drew him a map on a napkin. He almost joined him but had to cancel when a job came in.
“I told him about this place because I’d been travelling down there all over that country for 30 years so I know it like the back of my hand and I knew just where to go,” Dible told The Australian.
“And he was murdered in that exact spot.”
He says that a part of him wishes he had gone on the trip as perhaps he could have prevented it all. However, the biggest regret he has is telling his friend about La Bocana.
“I wish I’d never met up with him that day, I feel really bad. I feel guilty. It’s just starting to hit home.”
Another close friend to Callum, Hayley Jacobs has spoken of seeing him the morning he left for Mexico. However, she had a feeling something was very wrong when he failed to make contact throughout the trip.
“I didn’t hear from him and like my mum asked me if I heard from them and I was like ‘I think he’s mad at me?’” she told Nine.
“I don’t know what’s going on but I think he’s mad at me, like something doesn’t seem right.”
She said her friend was a truly special person who “lit up a room”.
“If we’re at a restaurant and we were having dinner and he asked for the waiter’s name, he would write his name down in his notes and his phone and how he knows how he met him and how he connected with him,” she said.
“He showed me the notes and it was hundreds of people that he met.”
She said while he was based in America playing lacrosse, his goal was to return to Australia and start a family.
Shell casings were found at the campsite were the trio was last seen, a surfing spot known as La Bocana at Santo Tomas, local media reports.
Formal identifications of the bodies found in the well are yet to be completed, but friends of the Robinson family have begun donating to a GoFundMe page.
It has attracted more than US$80,000 (AU$121,000) in the first day.
Three suspects arrested
On Saturday, authorities identified the three suspects as Jesús Gerardo Garica Cota (alias El Kekas), his partner Ari Gisel García Cota, and his brother Cristian Alejandro García, according to local Spanish language media outlet Zeta Tijuana and Talk Baja.
They have all been charged with a crime equivalent to kidnapping, officials said. It was unclear if they might face more charges.
Earlier on Friday, the Baja California Attorney-General said three Mexican nationals – two brothers and a 23-year-old woman – had been detained in connection with the surfers’ disappearances, and that they were allegedly found to be in possession of methamphetamines and other illegal drugs when they were arrested.
Local media also reported that the female suspect had a phone belonging to one of the Australian brothers.
A fourth body, believed to be that of the ranch owner who had been missing for several weeks was also found in the area on a cliff at Punta San José, in Santo Tomás, Ensenada, during a search for the missing surfers. His death is not thought to be connected to the other bodies found in the well, according to officials.
Callum, Jake and Mr Rhoad, from San Diego, were last known to have been in Rosarita, in the Baja California region.
Prior to human remains being found in the well, local police located an abandoned campsite with traces of blood and a tooth – where the men are believed to have stayed, according to Zeta and 7News.
“A white pickup vehicle was located, as well as other evidence,” the state prosecutor’s office said in a statement.
The investigation was being coordinated with the US Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Australian and US consulates, it said.
The bodies are yet to be formally identified but authorities say they’re confident they know who the victims are, as they await forensic test results to confirm their suspicions.
“I’m saying it’s a very, very high probability that it is them,” Ms Ramírez told 9News, referring to the Australian brothers and their friend.
“They were in a state of decomposition.
“That is why we have to run the genetic tests.”
Callum’s university team Stevenson University Lacrosse claimed in a social media post the pair had been killed.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of our dear teammate and friend, Callum Robinson,” the club said.
“From his days leading us to victory on the field to his unwavering commitment to academic excellence, Callum was a true inspiration to us all.”
The club said Callum had played a pivotal role in the team’s Division III National Championship in 2013, and had amassed “equally impressive academic achievements”.
“But, beyond his accolades, Callum will be remembered for his infectious spirit and larger-than-life personality,” the club said.
“With his beautiful long hair and charming smile, he truly embodied the nickname ‘big koala’ — warm, friendly, and always there to lend a helping hand.
“Though he may be gone, Callum’s legacy will live on in our hearts forever.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time. Rest easy, Callum. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.”
News of the young man’s apparent death, which is yet to be formally confirmed, was widely shared by the club, its members, and many more.
In an Instagram post, his teammate Will Manny thanked Callum for “showing everyone how to smile big, laugh hard and enjoy life:
“Callum Robinson, Jake Robinson and Jack Rhoad – Rest in Peace – and to your families, the lacrosse community is here for you,” he said.
Brett Hiken described the young player as “one of one” who he said he was lucky to have “gotten to love and know”.
“You made everyone feel like family and everyone was your best friend,” he said.
“Our best memories were always with you. Truth is, everyone wanted to be like you but no one was even on the same planet.
“It was a honour to get be your friend. The room turned every time you entered without even opening your mouth.
“Love you like the brother you are and most importantly thank you. Everyone gets to live, but man not everyone truly lives. You certainly lived.”
Earlier, a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman confirmed the Australian embassy in Mexico was working closely with the AFP and local police.
“DFAT recognises this is a very distressing time for the family and is in regular contact with them to provide support,” they said.
“Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment.”
The tragic developments came as Debra and Martin Robinson made their way to the area where their sons were last seen.
The couple said Callum had been living in the US to follow his dream of becoming a professional lacrosse player.
“He is widely known in the US as the Big Koala,” they said.
“We think of him as our big, soft, friendly giant.”
Jake only left Australia two weeks ago to visit his brother.
“It was a trip of a lifetime to see his brother, before shortly taking up a new position at Geelong Hospital in Victoria,” the parents said.
“Callum and Jake are beautiful human beings. We love them so much and this breaks our heart.”
They said Jake had worked in regional hospitals across Australia.
Jake and Callum had attended the Coachella music festival before going to Mexico to surf.
“Jake is such a gentle soul and would want no harm,” his parents said.
“Our only comfort right now is that they were together doing something they passionately love.
“We ask people to keep them in their thoughts and prayers and to continue to respect our privacy at this distressing time.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said they were continuing to provide consular assistance to the family.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the brothers’ disappearance as “a really concerning situation”.
“Our embassy in Mexico is working with local authorities as well to try to ascertain what has happened here,” he told Seven’s Sunrise program on Friday.
“We certainly hope that these brothers are found safely but there is real concern about the fact that they’ve gone missing.
“Their mother is obviously very distressed about this and we just hope for a positive outcome.”
While popular for surfing, Baja California has plagued by gang violence, including the infamous Tijuana cartel.
– With NCA newswire
Originally published as Horrific news for family of missing Aussie brothers who disappeared in Mexico on a surfing holiday
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