Slain Aussie brothers Callum and Jake Robinson: Loved ones pay tribute

The family and friends of two Australian brothers shot dead alongside their American friend in Mexico have honoured them with a heartbreaking act.

The family and friends of two Australian brothers shot dead in Mexico have paid tribute to them two weeks after their deaths.

Perth brothers Jake Robinson, 30 and Callum Robinson, 33, and their friend Jack Carter Rhoad, 33, were shot dead while camping on a surf trip near Ensenada in the Baja California region in late April.

Debra and Martin Robinson had the heartbreaking task of identifying their sons’ bodies and on the weekend they made the journey north to San Diego, California, where Callum had been living.

Debra and Martin Robinson, the parents of Callum and Jake Robinson, at the paddle out in honour of their sons. Picture: Nine News

Callum and Jake Robinson with their parents, Martin and Debra.

Loved ones take part in the paddle out. Picture: Nine News

The 33-year-old’s friends organised a paddle-out into the surf at Ocean Beach on Sunday, with dozens of locals gathering in the surf to honour the brothers’ lives.

Martin Robinson was among those who paddled out to pay tribute to his two sons.

A friend signs an honour board in memory of Callum Robinson. Picture: Nine News

Earlier, the bodies of the Australian brothers were transported across the border from Mexico to the US before they begin their solemn journey home.

Waiting for them at a funeral home in San Diego were the brothers’ heartbroken parents, who made the mercy dash from their Perth home after reporting the pair missing.

A hearse from San Jose Mortuary will transport the bodies. Picture: AFP

It comes as a member of the notorious Sinaloa drug cartel in Mexico claimed the criminal organisation turned the brothers’ alleged killers over to Mexican police.

The unnamed member said the alleged killers were not part of a cartel.

“They were low-level robbers acting alone. But we handed them over,” he told US outlet The Daily Beast.

“We learned that the cops were looking for the gringos and also began looking for those who were responsible. We called the authorities to let them know where to find them.”

He said the Sinaloa cartel was afraid of getting “unwanted attention” from Mexican authorities.

However, Mexican authorities denied the claims, saying they honed in on the three suspects by tracking one of the victim’s mobile phones.

Perth brothers Jake (L) and Callum Robinson (R) pictured with parents Martin and Debra. Picture: Instagram

They had earlier revealed the Robinson brothers and their American friend Jack Carter Rhoad were killed during a bungled robbery after they were targeted for their pick-up truck’s tyres.

The trio had been camping in a remote beachside area in Baja California.

“The tourists refused and tried to fight back, but the robbers were armed,’” an investigator said.

“When the criminals took out their guns the three [tourists] tried to de-escalate things, but it was too late, they beat the three of them and then shot them in the head”.

Ms Martin raised the alarm via social media after not hearing from her sons, who also failed to check-in to pre-booked accommodation.

The well where the bodies were found dumped. Picture: AFP

Authorities were led to Ari Gisel – who has since turned prosecution witness against her former partner and alleged killer Jesus Gerardo, who also goes by the alias El Kekas – when she turned on one of the men’s mobile phones.

Police later discovered their bloodied campsite and Mr Rhoad’s burnt-out pick-up truck before finding the three men’s remains dumped down a 15m-deep well.

All three had been shot in the head.

Corta faced a Mexican Court earlier this week, where the prosecution alleged he told his ex-girlfriend he had “f***ed up three gringos”.

A GoFundMe page set up in honour of Jake and Callum to help the costs of returning their bodies to Perth has raised more than $80,000.

“Martin and Debra are currently experiencing every parent’s worst nightmare,” Brett Grocock, who set up the fund, said.

Originally published as Slain Aussie brothers Callum and Jake Robinson: Loved ones pay tribute