The idyllic surf trip to Baja California turned deadly for three men – two brothers from Australia and their American friend. Jake and Callum Robinson, along with Jack Carter Rhoad, were pursuing their passion on the remote, picturesque coast of Mexico when their lives were tragically cut short. Their last social media posts depicted them enjoying the serene beauty of the waves, a stark contrast to the brutal reality that awaited them.
Authorities believe the surfers were victims of a random encounter, possibly targeted for their pickup truck. The three were shot in the head, their bodies callously discarded in a well, miles away from their campsite. Here’s a breakdown of what is currently known about this heartbreaking incident.
Who Were the Victims?
The victims, brothers Jake and Callum Robinson from Australia, and American Jack Carter Rhoad, were experienced surfers exploring the renowned surf breaks between Punta San José, approximately 50 miles south of Ensenada, and La Bocana, further up the coast.
Callum Robinson’s Instagram account paints a vivid picture of their trip, filled with snapshots of camaraderie and adventure: the trio sharing beers at a bar, relaxing in a jacuzzi, savoring roadside tacos, and admiring the ocean views.
Photos of the missing surfers placed on the beach in Ensenada, Mexico
Callum Robinson, a towering figure at six-foot-four, was also known for his athletic prowess in lacrosse, having played in the U.S. Premier Lacrosse League. The league expressed its condolences on their website, stating the lacrosse community was “heartbroken by the tragic loss” of the three men.
Heartfelt tributes poured out on social media. Callum’s girlfriend shared a poignant black and white photo of them kissing, accompanied by the message: “You are one of one. I will love you forever.” Another photo of them embracing was captioned: “My heart is shattered into a million pieces. I don’t have the words right now.”
Jake Robinson was a medical doctor practicing in Perth, Australia, according to reports from Australian media.
Jack Carter Rhoad was engaged to be married to Natalie Weirtz on August 17 in Columbus, Ohio. Their wedding registry was publicly available on Zola. A GoFundMe campaign initiated to support Natalie has garnered over $57,000 in donations as of Tuesday morning. Another GoFundMe campaign was also launched to support Rhoad’s family, expressing the collective grief for the loss of Carter, Callum, and Jake.
The Horrifying Sequence of Events
The fatal attack on the three friends is believed to have occurred between April 28 and 29. The scene at their last campsite immediately indicated a violent encounter.
Investigators discovered bloodstains and markings suggesting heavy objects had been dragged, fueling suspicions of a brutal assault, as stated by the Baja California state prosecutor’s office in their reconstruction of the events.
State prosecutor María Elena Andrade Ramírez detailed the likely terrifying moments that brought the surfers’ trip to a tragic end. Her theory suggests the assailants, driving by, spotted the foreigners’ pickup truck and camping gear, intending to steal the truck’s tires and parts. “When (the foreigners) came up and caught them, surely, they resisted,” she stated.
Photos of the missing surfers placed on the beach in Ensenada, Mexico
According to Andrade Ramírez, the forensic reports confirmed that all three victims sustained fatal gunshot wounds to the head. She believes the attack was not targeted at tourists specifically, stating, “The evidence suggests they (the killers) did not know where they were from.”
A hasty attempt to conceal the crime followed the murders. The surfers’ tents were apparently incinerated, and their pickup truck was driven several miles away and set ablaze. The suspects’ vehicle was later recovered, containing a firearm inside.
The bodies were then dumped in a well approximately 4 miles (6 kilometers) away, at “a site that is extremely hard to get to.” Investigators were shocked to discover a fourth body in the well, beneath the surfers’ remains, indicating it had been there for a significantly longer period. “They had to have previous knowledge of it,” Andrade Ramírez commented, suggesting the attackers might be linked to the earlier, unrelated killing.
The well was concealed with boards, making it exceptionally difficult to locate. “It was literally almost impossible to find it,” Andrade Ramírez emphasized, noting the arduous two-hour process required to recover the bodies.
Suspects in Custody
Prosecutors have confirmed the questioning of three individuals in connection with the killings. Two suspects were apprehended with methamphetamines. One of them, a woman, was found to be in possession of one of the victims’ cellphones. While initially detained on drug charges, they remain primary suspects in the murder case.
A third man was arrested and charged with a crime akin to kidnapping prior to the discovery of the bodies. It remains unclear whether he will face additional charges now that the deaths have been confirmed.
This third suspect, identified as Jesús Gerardo, alias “el Kekas,” is believed to have been directly involved in the killings. Andrade Ramírez stated that he had a prior criminal history including drug trafficking, vehicle theft, and domestic violence. She added, “We are certain that more people were involved.”
Due to Mexican legal restrictions, Andrade Ramírez could not disclose specific details regarding the suspects or any potential statements they may have provided, as it could potentially compromise the ongoing investigation.
Alt text: Mexican National Guard vehicles at the Baja California campsite of surfers killed in Mexico, securing the area for investigation.
Andrade Ramírez highlighted that the victims’ families indicated the group had visited the area numerous times without incident. However, this time, tragically, “there was no way to ask for help when the attackers showed up.”
The Ongoing Investigation
The FBI has issued a statement to CBS News confirming their active involvement in the investigation, collaborating with international law enforcement partners. They are in communication with the American victim’s family.
“While we cannot comment on specifics to preserve the sanctity of the investigative and legal processes, along with protecting the privacy of those impacted, we can assure you that we are assessing every tip. If credible, we will pursue those leads with rigor,” the FBI stated.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his condolences and confirmed he had reached out to the Robinson brothers’ parents, Deborah and Martin Robinson.
“This is a terrible tragedy and my heart goes out to them… I’ve indicated that I wish to speak to them at an appropriate time of their choosing,” Albanese told reporters.
The investigation into the deaths of these three surfers killed in Mexico continues as authorities work to bring all those responsible to justice and provide answers to the grieving families.
