Mexican authorities have extended condolences to the family of two Australian surfers and their American friend who were murdered on a surfing holiday, saying the nation “deeply regrets” their deaths.
The remains of Callum Robinson, 33, and Jake Robinson, 30, and their American friend Carter Rhoad, 30, were found in a well last week, after the men were last seen in the province of Baja California on April 27.
On Tuesday, Mexico Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena offered condolences to the men’s parents, with her office saying it “expresses its solidarity with the families of the victims in the face of this tragic event and deeply regrets the outcome of the events,” according to AAP.
The men had all been shot, with Mexican authorities investigating the incident as a homicide.
It is believed the trio was killed in order to steal their white Chevrolet Colorado for its tyres and their bodies were later dumped in a remote well about 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) away.
A fourth body not related to the three men was also found inside the well.
Baja California prosecutors confirmed last week they were questioning three people.
A criminal charge of forced disappearance, equivalent to kidnapping, was laid against one of the three on Saturday.
Mexican authorities think the suspects tried to carjack the trio and the surfers resisted.
They found a burnt-out white ute, believed to be the vehicle in which the men were travelling when they disappeared.
‘Senseless’
Meanwhile in Australia, tributes have poured for the popular brothers, with head coach of the Australian men’s lacrosse team, Glenn Meredith, taking to social media to share the highest praise for Callum and his family.“Our deepest condolences go out to parents Debra and Martin and the extended Robinson family with the senseless loss of their sons,” Mr. Meredith said.
The coach shared a heartwarming tribute to Callum, recalling how he had first seen him play as a youngster in 2012.
“It was obvious from the very start that Callum was special and he would go on to show that, becoming the greatest athlete I have ever been involved with in my time in our sport,” he said.
“Callum represented Australia in the World Championships in Denver 2014 and Israel 2018 with huge pride and an unsurpassed passion for our sport that saw him go on to be a professional lacrosse player in the USA.
“When Cal walked into any room, he had always had this huge aura and zest for life and coupled with that massive smile, he simply took over the room and everyone in the room was drawn to him.
“There is no sense to this nor are there any words that I, or anyone, could ever say that would ease the loss for the Robinson family.
“We pass them all our strength and love to them in this unbelievably tragic time.”
Callum also played lacrosse at Maryland’s Stevenson University and former coach Paul Cantabene said he got along with everyone while being “big, fast, rigid and flat-out just good” on the playing field.
Western Australian Premier Roger Cook labelled the situation incredibly sad for family and friends.
“Everyone from Western Australia is hurting as we hear from more aspects of this story, the violence they were exposed to and of course the loss of life,” he said.
