The parents of two Australian brothers murdered while on a surfing trip in Mexico say the world has become a darker place since their deaths.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that Callum and Jake Robinson have been murdered,” mother Debra Robinson told reporters after travelling from Mexico to San Diego, California.
Father Martin Robinson thanked everyone involved in the effort to find out what happened to his sons and those who supported them, including the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Australian Federal Police and Australia’s ambassador to Mexico.
He also thanked Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who called the couple on Tuesday.
Callum Robinson (left) and his brother Jake were on a surfing trip with their American friend Carter Rhoad in the Mexican state of Baja California when they failed to check in to pre-arranged accommodation near the city of Ensenada. Source: AAP / Supplied
Debra Robinson said her sons, and their friend Carter Rhoad, were “young men enjoying their passion of surfing together”.
“We have been overwhelmed with the outpouring of emotions and support that we have received.”
“Callum was a loveable, larger-than-life character and considered the United States his second home,” she said.
“Known as ‘Big Koala’, he played professional lacrosse in the PLL (the US Premier Lacrosse League) and represented Australia in the world championships.
“His brother, Jake, was a happy, gentle and compassionate soul who was pursuing a career in medicine.”
“Jake was also a ‘cricket tragic’ and loved live music and festivals,” she added.
“Now it’s time to bring them home to family and friends, and the ocean waves of Australia”.
Now it’s time to bring them home to family and friends, and the ocean waves of Australia.
Debra Robinson
Originally from Perth, Callum Robinson, 33, and his brother Jake, 30, were on a surfing trip with Rhoad, 30, in the state of Baja California when they failed to check in to pre-arranged accommodation near the city of Ensenada.
When Mexican police arrived at their last known whereabouts, they discovered a campsite covered in blood.
Callum Robinson’s parents described him as a “loveable, larger-than-life character” and his brother Jake as a “gentle and compassionate soul”. Source: AAP / Supplied
Days later, three bodies were found in a well, and earlier this week the brothers’ parents travelled to Mexico and confirmed their identities.
Baja California is well known for beautiful beaches and tiny villages and the trio’s last images on social media showed them enjoying these sites.
But the northern border state is also rife with violent crime, with the Australian government’s Smartraveller website warning of drug-related crime and gang violence.
The alleged murderers tried to destroy the evidence, burning the tent and driving the truck away before setting it alight. Credit: Supplied
Baja California state prosecutors believe the alleged killers were driving by when they spotted the trio’s pick-up truck.
They attempted to steal its tyres and parts but the men resisted. All three were found with bullet wounds to the head.
The bodies were dumped in a 4m-deep well about 6km away, on top of a fourth body prosecutors say had been there much longer.
Three suspects are being held in connection with the case — two were caught with methamphetamine and one had one of the victims’ phones.
A criminal charge of forced disappearance, equivalent to kidnapping, was laid against one of the three on Saturday.
