Three surfer tourists die after being shot in the head in Baja California

Relatives identified the bodies of Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their American friend Jack Carter, who had gone to a spa in the municipality of Ensenada.

The surfers were reported missing on April 27. Their bodies were recovered on Friday afternoon. In a well on a rock.

“The prosecution confirms that these bodies were found in a well in the area La Bocana, south of Ensenada“It matches people named Jake and Callum of Australian origin, as well as the American Carter,” the Baja California prosecutor’s office detailed in a statement.

Relatives of the Australians, who stayed away from the press, arrived from the United States on Saturday and were joined by Carter’s relatives from California this Sunday. They are assisted by the consular authorities of their countries.

“Confirmation occurs when relatives of victims are able to identify them, without the need for genetic testing,” the statement said.

Australian Government Treasurer Jim Chalmers called the situation “absolutely appalling” in a statement to the press. “I believe that the hearts of the entire nation extend its condolences to all of our loved ones“, he pointed.

Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Bárcena expressed her condolences in a statement.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains ongoing and direct communication with Australian Ambassador to Mexico Rachel Elizabeth Moseley and her team to support the diplomatic mission’s efforts,” he said.

Three surfers in their 30s

According to Australian media, Jake was 30 years old, his brother Callum was 33 years old and American Jack was 30 years old.

On Sunday afternoon, state prosecutor María Elena Andrade said in a press conference that the motive for the crime would be to steal, especially the tires, of the truck in which the tourists were traveling.

Andrade said the foreign tourists likely entered an isolated area without cell phone communications to call for help in case of an accident.

There, the alleged criminals may have stopped him to seize his truck, which was later found burning.

,The attackers take out the weapons they have And they take the life of the person who initially resisted the robbery and later they attack the other two (…) and they take their lives too,” the prosecutor said.

“They are all present gunshot hole in head»Andrade added.

In this case, the prosecutor’s office on Friday arrested a man accused of “disappearances carried out by private persons.” He has a history related to violence, drug selling and robbery.

They also caught two other people, including a woman, who were investigated for possible involvement in the same crime and for carrying methamphetamine.

Before the victims’ identities were confirmed, the prosecutor said that, if the surfers’ deaths were confirmed, the charges would be changed. From “disappearances committed by private persons” to “aggravated murder.”

41 million foreigners come to Mexico

Mexico closed 2023 with more than 41 million foreign visitors, more than half of whom were Americans, according to official figures. Beaches are the main destination.

In Ensenada, which is very popular among Americans because it is about 100 km from the border, dozens of surf fans demonstrated this Sunday to demand more protection.

“Beach, Safety, Freedom, Peace” or “No more deaths” were some of the messages that were read on the boards converted into banners.

The prosecutor indicated, based on stories from family members, that the slain surfers had already visited Mexico.

“They comment that on several occasions they came to participate in their favorite sport and have never regretted it,” he said, stressing that the crime had nothing to do with their status as foreign tourists. Not there.

You can see some photos of his stay in the Pacific Ocean on Callum’s Instagram account Mexican, toasting with beer, eating tacos, relaxing in the Jacuzzi Or getting ready to go surfing.

According to Australian media, Callum played professionally in the American lacrosse league and Jake is a doctor based in Perth.

Authorities found a fourth body in the well, but denied any connection to the surfers’ case because it had been abandoned for a long time.

Other foreign tourists visiting the Mexican Pacific region Have been the target of criminal attacks.

In November 2015, two Australian surfers, Dean Lucas and Adam Coleman, were murdered while traveling through Sinaloa state (north-west) and their bodies were later burned.

The cycle of criminal violence that has engulfed Mexico More than 450,000 people were killed and more than 100,000 went missing. Compared to late 2006, when the federal government launched a controversial military anti-drug campaign.