‘Larger-than-life’ tributes flow for missing surfers after three charged

Mexican authorities have charged three people as they try to identify bodies in their search for Australian brothers Callum and Jake Robinson, and a US friend.

A search was launched in Baja California, Mexico, for two brothers, Callum and Jake Robinson from Perth, who were visiting on a surfing trip. Picture: Instagram

Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson, along with an American friend they were travelling with, appear to have been killed in a robbery gone wrong, according to Mexican authorities who have identified three suspects.

Jesús Gerardo Garica Cota, known as El Kekas, together with his girlfriend Ari Gisel García Cota and brother Cristian Alejandro García have been named as suspects according to local Spanish language media outlet Zeta Tijuana.

Ari Gisel García Cota, 23, is one of three suspects arrested.

Bodies found down a well

Mexican officials announced that bodies had been located near the campsite where the missing brothers were believed to have been.

Jake and Callum, originally from Perth, and their American friend Jack Carter Rhoad have not been heard from since April 27 while on a surfing trip in Mexico.

Mexican authorities have now charged three people with kidnapping in what they believe might have been a robbery gone wrong.

Callum, 33, and Jake Robinson, 30, as well as Mr Rhoad, 30, were last known to have been in Rosarita, in Baja California state.

 

Bodies were reportedly found by Mexican authorities down a well near a cliff by the ocean, about 2km away from what is believed to be the men’s campsite. Forensic examinations were being carried out to identify the bodies,

Baja California state prosecutors have since confirmed three people — two brothers, and a 23-year-old woman — who were arrested earlier this week had been charged with a crime equivalent to kidnapping on Friday local time.

It was unclear if they might face more charges.

Baja California’s Attorney-General, María Elena Andrade Ramírez, said investigations were still ongoing as authorities tried to identify whether the brothers had been found.

“I’m saying it’s a very, very high probability that it is them,” Ms Ramírez told 9News.

It was believed the robbery was opportunistic and not related to gang crime, she said. A fourth body found down the well was not believed to be connected to the case of the missing surfers.

“When they [the robbers] tried to get the vehicles, the victims opposed the robbery. The robbers were armed with a firearm and then apparently shot the victims,” Ms Ramirez told 7News.

Tributes posted

Stevenson University Lacrosse (SUL), where Callum was once a member and named the MAC Conference Men’s Lacrosse Scholar Athlete of the Year in 2015, posted of their heartbreak.

“Beyond his accolades, Callum will be remembered for his infectious spirit and larger-than-life personality,” the post read.

“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.”

A past teammate at SUL, Adrian Paul Vanvleck, also posted upon hearing the heartbreaking news.

“Rest in peace brother,” he said. “You were the best amongst us. Always happy to share a field with you. Always happy to run with you. Always had a smile on your face and amazing energy every time I ran into you.

“You were the kind of person I looked up too. My heart goes out to you and everyone who loves you.”

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Aerial view showing rescue workers preparing to enter a waterhole where human remains were found near La Bocana Beach. Picture: AFP

The news of the bodies and charges came as the parents of two Perth brothers were flying out of Australia on Friday to the area where the pair were last seen as authorities revealed distressing details about what they had found, including what ­appeared to be the pair’s burnt-out car on a remote farm.

A burnt out car at a ranch several kilometres from the search site. it is believed to have belonged to the missing surfers Jake and Callum Robinson (Supplied)

A white ute believed to have been used by Callum and Jake on their “trip of a lifetime” surfing holiday was found south of Ensenada. A report in local media stated that traces of blood had been found in the tents.

Callum, Jake, and their friend Mr Rhoad were last known to have been in Rosarito on April 27.

Baja California is one of Mexico’s most violent states.

The state Attorney-General said earlier the search for them had been focused on three abandoned tents.

“A working team is at the site where they were last seen, where tents and other evidence was found that could be linked to these three people we have under investigation,” Ms Ramirez said.

“There is a lot of important information that we can’t make public. We do not know what condition they are in. All lines of investigation are open at this time. We cannot rule anything out until we find them.”

In an open letter on Friday, the brothers’ Perth parents, Debra and Martin Robinson, told how Callum had been living in the US to follow his dream of becoming a professional lacrosse player and to represent Australia. “He is widely known in the US as the Big Koala,” they said. “We think of him as our big soft friendly giant.”

Jake 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,” they said.

“Callum and Jake are beautiful human beings. We love them so much and this breaks our heart.”

Perth brothers Jake, left, and Callum Robinson with their parents Martin and Debra. Picture: Instagram

The Robinsons said on Friday they were travelling “to the US/Mexico” because they wanted to be close to where their sons were last seen.

Their letter said Jake had worked in regional hospitals across Australia, always with a surf beach nearby. Jake and Callum had been to the recent Coachella music festival before they went to Mexico together 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 the Australian embassy in Mexico City was working closely with the AFP and local authorities “regarding the two Australians reported missing in Mexico”.

Callum and Jake had been in regular contact with family while travelling but that stopped on Saturday last week. There have been no posts on their social media ­accounts since then, either.

Social media posts from Callum Robinson’s Instagram account were unearthed yesterday, giving insight into the final hours before the Perth brothers went missing.

Jack Rhoad and Jake Robinson.

A photo seemingly featuring the white ute discovered by Mexico police.

Instagram stories from Callum’s account showed highlights from the group’s trip across the country, even picturing the beach where the pair were last seen.

With News Corp Australia NewsWire