They are devastated. “Our hearts are broken,” said the parents of the two Australian surfers, found dead in a seaside resort in Mexico, who spoke for the first time publicly during a press conference this Wednesday, May 8, in San Diego in the USA.
Jake and Callum Robinson, their two sons, as well as one of their friends, the American Jack Carter, were last seen on April 27 in Bocana de Santo Tomas, a seaside resort in the municipality of Ensenada in Mexico . The three men had gone together on a surfing trip. Their bodies, found with a bullet in the head and in an advanced state of decomposition, were formally identified by their relatives on Sunday May 5 in Mexico.
“Now is the time to bring them home”
From San Diego where Callum’s older brother lived, Debra and Martin Robinson spoke, confirming the death of their two sons: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the assassination of Callum and Jake. Our hearts are broken and the world has become darker for us,” their mother said, very moved. “We also mourn the loss of Carter Rhoad, a close friend. They were young men who indulged in their passion of surfing together,” she added.
According to the mother of the two surfers, the eldest, Callum, was “endearing, unusual”. The 33-year-old, who had lived in the United States for several years, considered the country “his second home,” she explained. This “professional field lacrosse player in PLL (Premier Lacrosse League, Editor’s note)”, was nicknamed “the big koala”, she confided. The 30-year-old “represented Australia at the World Championships, whilst still finding time to coach junior teams”.
As for her brother Jake, 30, she described him as “a happy, gentle and compassionate personality.” “Now is the time to bring them home to their families, friends and the waves of the Australian ocean. In their memory, live brighter, shine brighter and love brighter. Thank you,” concluded the mother of the two surfers.
Three suspects arrested
The drama that left the whole of Australia in mourning, starting with the Prime Minister himself. “This is a tragic incident, and to all the families and friends of these young Australians, I think the thoughts of all of Australia are with you at this difficult time,” Anthony Albanese said.
Investigators believe that the tragedy is linked to an attempted theft that went wrong. The vehicle of the three surfers was found burned not far from their bodies. According to the scenario issued by the Mexican authorities, the thugs “approached with the intention of stealing their vehicle and taking the tires and other parts to put them on the old model of van they were driving,” he said. explained Maria Elena Andrade, the attorney general of the state of Baja California (northwest).
According to her, the three surfers “surely resisted”. In detail, she thinks that “the attackers (…) first killed the one who resisted the theft of the vehicle”. The two other surfers then tried to help their friend, before being shot down as well.
The murderers then allegedly tried to hide the bodies. They were discovered on Friday May 3, lying at the bottom of a 15 meter deep well, near a picturesque and isolated surf spot known as Lighthouse, near La Bocana.
Three suspects, two men and a woman, were arrested and are suspected of having participated directly or indirectly in the affair, according to Mexican justice.
