Cartel’s shock claim over accused killers of Aussie brothers
A member of the notorious Sinaloa drug cartel has given some insight into the capture of the alleged killers of Perth brothers Callum and Jake Robinson.
World
Don't miss out on the headlines from World. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The bodies of two Australian brothers murdered in Mexico have been delivered to their devastated family as they now make the long journey home.
The funeral home transporting the remains of brothers Jake and Callum Robinson, who were aged 30 and 33 respectively, confirmed that they had been transferred from Tijuana to San Diego where their parents Debra and Martin Robinson were waiting.
The body of their American friend Jack Carter Rhoad, who was also murdered, was in the care of another funeral company in Tijuana.
It comes as a member of the notorious Sinaloa drug cartel in Mexico claimed the criminal organisation turned the alleged killers of the Australian brothers over to Mexican police.
Speaking to the Daily Beast in the US, 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 the outlet.
“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.”
The cartel member said that the Sinaloa cartel was afraid of getting “unwanted attention” from Mexican authorities.
The Daily Beast reported that the Robinson brothers and their American friend, Jack Carter Rhoad, were killed after they attempted to de-escalate a confrontation with two men who wanted to steal the car they were driving.
The three men were leaving a remote area Ensenada, which is a cartel stronghold, where they had camped a night before and heading towards an Airbnb they had rented. As they were leaving the area the men showed and attempted to steal the truck they were driving.
“The tourists refused and tried to fight back, but the robbers were armed. 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,” a Mexican investigator told the Daily Beast.
ACCUSED KILLER FACES COURT IN MEXICO SLAYINGS
On Wednesday, a Mexican accused of killing Callum and Jake and their American friend allegedly told his girlfriend he “f**ked up three gringos” before stealing their truck’s tyres.
Jesús Gerardo, known as El Kekas, faced a court hearing in the city of Ensenada, where his former girlfriend 23-year-old Ari Gisel testified against him.
The prosecution alleges Gisel told authorities El Kekas arrived at her house on Sunday and told her “I f**ked up three gringos”.
The court heard she said, “what do you mean?” to which he replied, “I killed them”.
It is alleged he then gave Gisel a mobile phone, before taking her outside to show her the new tyres on her car that had been allegedly stolen from the trio’s vehicle. Gisel alleged El Kekas has a history of domestic violence and was physically and mentally abusive.
The heartbroken parents of the Aussie brothers - who remain in San Diego where their son Callum, 33, lived and played professional lacrosse - raised the alarm after not hearing from their sons who were on a surfing holiday in Mexico with American friend Carter Rhoad, 30.
Jake, 30, had travelled to the US and Mexico to holiday with his brother before starting a new job as a doctor in Geelong, Victoria.
Mexican authorities arrested Gisel after she turned on one of the men’s mobile phones leading them to her location and eventually the men’s blood-riddled campsite.
Mexican police later found the trio’s burnt out Chevrolet Colorado truck on April 28 and the grim discovery of their bodies dumped down a 15m-deep well near the city of Ensenada.
Baja California Attorney-General María Elena Andrade Ramírez later revealed each had suffered a gun shot wound to the head.
Gisel and Gerardo’s brother Cristian Alejandro were also charged with kidnapping. Gerardo remains in custody and is due to face court again in November.
SLAIN AUSSIE BROTHERS: WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
The devastated parents of the Perth brothers broke their silence in a heartbreaking press conference in California’s San Diego on Wednesday, saying they would bring their beloved sons back home to “the ocean waves in Australia”.
Supporters of the family have been crowd-funding to raise funds for the flight from Mexico as the brothers’ parents make arrangements to bring the bodies of their sons.
Typically, the repatriation of Australians who die overseas takes between five and seven days, depending on the circumstances.
Australia’s ambassador to Mexico Rachel Moseley said the embassy, DFAT and the Australian Federal Police were “providing all possible support, including (the) journey home”.
Speaking at a brief press conference on Ocean Beach, Martin and Debra Robinson were tearful as they addressed the deaths of their sons, Jake and Callum, as well as the brothers’ American friend, Jack Carter Rhoad.
Martin Robinson thanked official agencies such as DFAT, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Embassy in Mexico as well as Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that Callum and Jake Robinson have been murdered. Our hearts are broken and the world has become a darker place for us,” said Debra Robinson, sighing heavily. “We also mourn the loss of Carter Rhoad, a close friend.”
She said “they were young men enjoying their passion of surfing together”.
“We have been overwhelmed with the outpouring of emotions...we know they were truly loved and impacted many lives.”
“Callum was a loveable, larger-than-life character and considered the United States his second home. Known as ‘Big Koala’, he played professional lacrosse in the PLL and represented Australia in the world championships... His brother, Jake, was a happy, gentle and compassionate soul who was pursuing a career in medicine.”
She recalled the brothers’ hobbies and interests and their love of travel and sport.
“Now it’s time to bring them home to family and friends,” she said crying, “and the ocean waves in Australia”.
“Please live bigger. Shine brighter. And love harder in their memory. Thank you.”
It came as Callum’s devastated partner, Emily Horwath, shared his heartbreaking final voicemail on Instagram with the caption, “Will be playing this on repeat.”
In the message, Callum said, “Happy Tuesday, good morning! It’s 11.11 and I’m just thinking about you. Just wanted to drop you a quick message and say, hello baby, hope you’re having a phenomenal start to your day. I’m sensing a big grin on your face for some reason today. I hope you’re full of positivity and smiles. Cheers baby, miss you.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Cartel’s shock claim over accused killers of Aussie brothers
Israel’s plan to attack Iran leaked
An investigation has been launched by the US after top-secret documents showing Israel’s preparations for a strike on Iran were leaked.
Read more
Trump running out the clock while Harris swings for the fences
The polls say the race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris is tied, and Tom Minear argues the way they are campaigning shows they have different views about what that means.
Read more