Mexican authorities say the three bodies found down a well in Baja California state thought to be those of two Australian brothers and a US friend had all suffered a gunshot wound to the head.
A fourth body was also found in the well but it is not believed to be linked to the deaths of siblings Jake and Callum Robinson and their friend Jack Carter Rhoad.
Mexican authorities believe thieves targeted the boys for their truck, particularly its tyres, according to AAP.
Stream Sunrise free on 7plus 
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Sunrise star Mylee Hogan gives update on missing Perth surfers amid grim find.
Regional officials confirmed the bodies were located on a cliff top on the Baja Peninsula, on Mexico’s west coast, on Saturday.
On Monday, Sunrise reporter Mylee Hogan said investigators believed it was a robbery gone wrong.
“Authorities have revealed the cause of death of three bodies that were found at the bottom of the well — each died by a single gunshot wound to the head,” Hogan told Sunrise.
Three people remain in custody over the deaths, but are yet to be formally charged.
“One has been charged with kidnapping … authorities expect to upgrade the charges.
“The other two in custody are his brother and his partner.
“At this stage, those two people are only being held on drug charges as investigators work to determine their level of involvement in this crime.
“The attorney-general in the press conference just a few minutes ago, says that investigators still believe that this was an attempted robbery that turned violent.
“The suspects allegedly targeted the men for their car.”
Hogan also spoke about the fourth body found.
“A number of local reporters in that press conference were asking a lot of questions about the fourth body that was also discovered in that well.
The Baja surfing community has also come to show their respect for the three men.
“This is the local Baja surfing community — they’ve gathered here to show their support for these Australians (and US friend).
“They are angry about this case. They’re saying they want their beaches to be safe, and they want justice for those two Australian brothers and their American friend.”
The parents of Jake and Callum have arrived in Mexico, following the deaths.
Forensic tests will be undertaken by the local laboratory to identify if the bodies are missing Perth siblings, the Baja California prosecutor’s office said in a statement.
“All three bodies meet the characteristics to assume with a high degree of probability that they are the American Carter Rhoad as well as the Robinson brothers from Australia,” Baja California’s state Attorney-General Maria Elena Andrade said on Saturday.
She said while the three bodies were found in an advanced state of decomposition at the bottom of a well more than 15m deep, “some physical descriptions give us that high probability”.
Investigators also found a burnt-out white ute, believed to be the vehicle in which the men were travelling when they disappeared.
The chief state prosecutor’s office said evidence found along with abandoned tents at a burnt-out campsite was linked to the three people in custody.
Local news outlet Zeta reported the fourth body found in the well was believed to be that of the property’s owner, who has been missing for several weeks.
The Robinson brothers, both in their 30s, were travelling in the region on a surfing holiday when they failed to check into pre-arranged accommodation near the city of Ensenada.
Officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was obviously a distressing time for the family, but the agency was in constant contact.
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong reiterated that the government was doing everything it could to support the family.
“I can indicate that our embassy in Mexico, as well as the Australian Federal Police, are working in support of local authorities, that my department is providing consular support to the families concerned,” she told reporters on Saturday.
Health Minister Mark Butler said the department was trying to glean as much information as possible from Mexican authorities to inform the family.
“This is deeply distressing to the Australian community, particularly the family and friends of these two young Australians” he told reporters on Saturday.
The US State Department is also monitoring the investigation.
Both US and Australian authorities have urged people to exercise a high degree of caution when travelling to Baja California “due to the threat of violent crime”.
— with Reuters and AP
https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMifWh0dHBzOi8vN25ld3MuY29tLmF1L3N1bnJpc2UvbWFqb3ItdXBkYXRlLWluLWNhc2Utb2YtYXVzc2llLXN1cmZlcnMtZm91bmQtZGVhZC1pbi1tZXhpY2FuLXN0YXRlLW9mLWJhamEtY2FsaWZvcm5pYS1jLTE0NTU5NzQ10gEA?oc=5
2024-05-06 09:33:02Z
CBMifWh0dHBzOi8vN25ld3MuY29tLmF1L3N1bnJpc2UvbWFqb3ItdXBkYXRlLWluLWNhc2Utb2YtYXVzc2llLXN1cmZlcnMtZm91bmQtZGVhZC1pbi1tZXhpY2FuLXN0YXRlLW9mLWJhamEtY2FsaWZvcm5pYS1jLTE0NTU5NzQ10gEA
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Major update in case of Aussie surfers found dead in Mexican state of Baja California - 7NEWS"
Post a Comment