Surfers found dead in Mexican well were shot in the head
Mexican authorities confirmed on Sunday that the American and two Australian tourists who disappeared in northern Mexico last week have been found dead, as identified by their parents.
The bodies of Australian brothers Callum, 33, and Jake Robinson, 30, along with Carter Rhoad, 30, were discovered at the bottom of a well in Baja California state earlier this week following an extensive search.
The trio went missing while vacationing for surfing near the popular tourist town of Ensenada, approximately 90 minutes south of the US-Mexico border along the Pacific coast.
The Baja California state Attorney General’s Office stated in a release that the confirmation was made after the victims' parents "were able to identify them, without the need for genetic tests."
State Attorney General Elena Andrade assured the parents and diplomatic representatives of "total institutional commitment to continuing the investigation of these unfortunate events until those responsible face the full weight of the law," the statement emphasized.
Ms. Andrade revealed on Saturday that the bodies were discovered in a well over 15 meters (50 ft) deep, in an advanced state of decomposition.
A source from the attorney general’s office informed Reuters that all three bodies bore gunshot wounds to the head.
Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers extended condolences to Callum and Jake's families, expressing national grief over the tragedy. He remarked at a news conference, "We can only imagine what this ordeal has been like for them and for the loved ones of Callum and Jake."
He added, "It has been an absolutely horrendous, absolutely horrific ordeal, and our thoughts are with all of them today."
Authorities have arrested three individuals so far. Additionally, a burnt-out vehicle believed to have been used by the surfers was discovered in the vicinity.
Mexican officials' preliminary theory is that the arrested suspects attempted to carjack the tourists, and when the surfers resisted, they were shot and disposed of in a well.
The surfers were last seen on April 27 and were reported missing a couple of days later, prompting a multi-day search aided by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.
While the Ensenada area is considered relatively safer, Baja California remains one of Mexico’s more violent states. The US State Department advises Americans to reconsider travel to the state due to crime and kidnapping concerns.
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