Mexican authorities on Sunday confirmed the American and two Australian tourists who went missing in northern Mexico last week are dead after their bodies were identified by their parents.
The bodies of Australian brothers Callum, 33, and Jake Robinson, 30, as well as Carter Rhoad, 30, were found at the bottom of a well in Baja California state earlier this week after a days-long search.
The three foreigners went missing while on a vacation surfing near the popular tourist town of Ensenada, about 90 minutes south of the US-Mexico border on the Pacific coast.
Baja California state Attorney General’s Office said in a statement the confirmation was issued once the parents of the victims “were able to identify them, without the need of genetic tests”.
State Attorney General Elena Andrade told the parents and diplomatic officials that there was “total institutional commitment to continue with the investigation of these unfortunate events until those responsible receive the full weight of the law”, the statement added.
On Saturday, Ms Andrade said that the bodies were found in an advanced state of decomposition at the bottom of a well more than 15 metres (50 ft) deep.
A source from the attorney general’s office told Reuters that all three bodies had a shot in the head.
Emily Foster is a globe-trotting journalist based in the UK. Her articles offer readers a global perspective on international events, exploring complex geopolitical issues and providing a nuanced view of the world’s most pressing challenges.
