Three bodies have been discovered near a renowned surfing hotspot in Mexico, where an American and two Australian tourists recently vanished. This troubling development follows a weeklong search for the missing individuals, identified as 30-year-old American Jack Carter Rhoad and Australian brothers, 33-year-old Callum and 30-year-old Jake Robinson.
The group had been vacationing in Ensenada, a coastal city located approximately 80 miles south of San Diego, and were last active on social media the Saturday before they went missing. Concerns escalated when they did not check into their Airbnb as planned, and communication ceased.
Local investigators found abandoned camping gear linked to the trio and a burnt-out white Chevrolet Colorado—the vehicle used by the group—raising suspicions of foul play. The discovery was made near the campsite where they were last believed to be.
Authorities detained three individuals in connection with their disappearance, including a 23-year-old woman found in possession of drugs and a cell phone that notably displayed a wallpaper photo of one of the missing men. However, the exact role of these individuals in the case has not been confirmed as investigations continue.
The missing men’s situation is further complicated by the active presence of drug cartels in the region, though no direct connections have been established. Baja California’s chief prosecutor, María Elena Andrade Ramírez, stated that while they are exploring all leads, the full details of the findings could not yet be disclosed publicly.
The area, known for its natural beauty and as a popular destination for surfers, has also been marked by violence, prompting travel advisories from the US State Department due to risks of crime and kidnapping.
The incident has caused immense distress to the families of the missing men. Debra Robinson, the mother of the Robinson brothers, has been active on social media seeking any information about her sons, emphasizing the urgent nature of the search given Callum’s medical condition as a diabetic.
The bodies found have not been officially identified as the missing tourists, but the proximity to their last known location and the circumstances of their disappearance point to a tragic outcome. Authorities are working closely with the US and Australian consulates to provide support and manage the diplomatic aspects of the investigation.