Brian McDonald
A Mexican court on Wednesday ordered the alleged killer of two Australians and an American killed during a surfing trip to be prosecuted, as chilling details emerged about the suspect’s alleged confession.
This followed a hearing held for Jesus Gerardo “N” – also known as “El Kekas”, a slang term meaning quesadillas – in Ensenada, Baja California, where the bodies of brothers Callum and Jake Robinson, and their friend Jack Carter Rhoad , they were Found last Friday.
The suspect’s girlfriend told a court that he confessed to killing his three friends after returning home from camp, the BBC reported. reported. The 23-year-old woman told investigators that he showed up at her house on April 28, saying he had done something to “three foreigners,” the outlet reported.
She said she asked him what he meant and he replied “I killed them”, the court was told.
He then showed her new tires that had allegedly been stolen from the three surfers, the BBC reported, citing prosecutors.
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The suspect will be prosecuted for the crime of “disappearance committed by private individuals”, with homicide charges expected to be filed later, the Public Ministry said.
O trio was camping in a remote seaside area when they were killed in what investigators believe was an attempted robbery of their pickup truck.
Their bodies were found on top of a cliff with gunshot wounds to the head.
Prosecutors said they are gathering evidence to charge two other suspects, who remain in custody for alleged possession of methamphetamine.
Baja California, located south of California, is popular with US tourists thanks to its inviting beaches.
It is also one of the most violent states in Mexico due to organized crime gangs, although tourists are not usually targeted.
On Tuesday, the forensic service delivered the bodies of the victims to a funeral home in Baja California that will transfer them to the United States, where their families are waiting for them.
The parents of the two Australian brothers urged well-wishers to use the memory as inspiration to “live longer, shine brighter and love more”.
Speaking from California, Debra and Martin Robinson said “the world has become a darker place” since the deaths.
Martin thanked friends and family in Australia and the United States who have offered “overwhelming support” since the men’s disappearance.
With the ocean at her back, mom Debra struggled to read the prepared remarks.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that Callum and Jake have been murdered,” she began, her voice cracking with emotion. “Our hearts are broken and the world has become a darker place for us.”
She described Callum, 33, as a “lovable, larger-than-life character” who played professional lacrosse in the US, where he became known as “the big koala”.
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The US Premier Lacrosse League left a message on your website saying the lacrosse world was “heartbroken by the tragic loss” of the trio.
Callum also played lacrosse at Stevenson University in Maryland. Head Lacrosse Coach Paul Cantabene told CBS Baltimore he was devastated when he heard the news.
“I cried a lot and then I had to make some difficult phone calls and let some people know about the situation,” Cantabene said. “That was even harder.”
On social media, the devastated girlfriend shared a black and white photo of the couple kissing, with the message: “You are one of each. I will love you forever.” In another photo she shared, in which the two can be seen hugging, she wrote, “My heart is broken into a million pieces. I have no words now.”
Jake, 30, was described as a “happy, kind and compassionate soul who pursued a career in medicine” and had a great love of surfing and cricket.
“They were young people enjoying the passion of surfing together,” said Debra. “Now it’s time to bring them home to family and friends and to the ocean waves of Australia.”
Rhoad was engaged to be married to Natalie Weirtz on August 17 in Columbus, Ohio, according to a Zola online marriage registration. A GoFundMe launched to “rally support for Natalie” had raised more than $80,000 as of Thursday morning.
“After the heartbreaking loss of Carter Rhoad, Callum Robinson and Jake Robinson, our hearts ache with sadness for their families, friends and community,” says a separate GoFundMe created for Rhoad’s family.
