Abduction of Jack Carter Rhoads, Jake and Callum Robinson
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On April 29, 2024, three tourists - American citizen Jack Carter Rhoads and Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson - went missing while visiting the Mexican state of Baja California. Their bodies were found on May 2, 2024 at the bottom of a well.[1][2]
Background
[edit]Rhoads and the Robinsons were on a surfing and camping trip together at the time of their deaths. Callum Robinson, aged 33, was a member of the Australian national lacrosse team and a Stevenson University alumnus, who had lived in the US and was a professional lacrosse player. Jake Robinson, aged 30, was a doctor that was just starting out in his career. All three travelled together in their Jeep and posted photos of isolated beaches on social media.[3]
They were camped near the town of Ensenada, which is located about 60 miles from Tijuana in Baja California. All three went missing on April 29. Suspicions arose after they did not check in to the Airbnb they booked in the resort town of Rosarito. The mother of the Robinsons said she had last heard from her sons on April 27.[3]
Murder
[edit]A burned-out white pickup truck was found in a ranch in Santo Tomas about 40 miles from where the bodies were found. Local police confirm that the truck is the same one Callumn posted on Instagram a week before the trio went missing.[2]
The missing trio were found at the bottom of a well in a site that prosecutor Maria Elena Andrade Ramirez describes as "extremely hard to get to".[3] It took two hours to winch the bodies out. The three friends were later identified by their parents, without a need of a genetic test.[3]
Mexican authorities claimed that the trio were murdered by thieves trying to steal their ute for its tyres. Four people in Mexico were swiftly arrested and charged over their alleged involvement in the disappearances. A fifth person was arrested in mid-July 2024.[4]
Reactions
[edit]After the bodies were found, surfers gathered in Ensenada to protest the lack of safety in the state.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ Magramo, Kathleen; Suarez, Karol (2024-05-06). "Bodies found in Mexico confirmed as those of missing American and Australian tourists". CNN. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
- ^ a b Pozzebon, Stefano; Bertha, Ramos (2024-05-05). "Murdered bodies 'most likely' those of missing surfers, Mexican investigators say". CNN. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
- ^ a b c d e "Australian brothers and US tourist who went missing on surfing trip in Mexico 'shot dead by thieves'". Sky News. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
- ^ "Parents' heartwarming move after Perth men killed in Mexico". The West Australian. 3 September 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.