Official believes missing Australians likely among bodies found in Mexico

Mexican authorities have stated that three bodies found in Baja California state are likely to be two Australian brothers and a friend who had gone missing in the area.

Regional officials confirmed the discovery of the bodies on a cliff top in the Baja Peninsula, on Mexico’s west coast, on Saturday.

The Baja California prosecutor’s office stated that forensic tests will be conducted by the local laboratory to identify if the bodies are the missing Perth siblings Callum and Jake Robinson.

“All three bodies exhibit characteristics that strongly indicate they are the American Carter Rhoad and the Robinson brothers from Australia,” said Baja California’s state Attorney-General María Elena Andrade on Saturday.

Although the bodies were found in an advanced state of decomposition at the bottom of a well over 15m deep, Andrade mentioned that “some physical descriptions lead us to that strong assumption.”

An additional body was found in the well, but it had been there longer and is not believed to be connected to this case, as stated by Ms. Andrade.

Baja California prosecutors reported on Thursday that they were interrogating three individuals regarding the case.

Authorities stated on Saturday that criminal charges had been filed against one of the three, which is believed to be related to kidnapping.

Andrade Ramírez, the chief state prosecutor, mentioned that evidence found near the abandoned tents was connected to the three individuals under investigation in relation to the missing foreigners.

Milenio news outlet reported that Ramírez stated the suspects had apparently stolen the surfers’ truck, and some of its parts were discovered in another truck owned by one of the suspects.

Officials confirmed that the search for additional evidence in the rugged area is ongoing.

Zeta, a local news site, reported that bodies were found inside a well in the La Bocana area on Saturday, close to where the men were thought to have been camping after abandoned tents were found on Friday.

According to Zeta, firefighters worked for hours to retrieve the bodies from the well.

Additionally, Zeta reported that a fourth badly decomposed body found in the well was believed to be the property owner where the well is located, who had been missing for several weeks.

The Robinson brothers, both in their thirties, were on a surfing holiday in the region when they failed to check in at their pre-arranged accommodation near the city of Ensenada.

Their mother Debra Robinson appealed for help in locating her sons and a U.S. friend they were traveling with, as she had not heard from them since Saturday.

“Callum is a type one diabetic so there is also a medical concern,” she wrote on Mexican social media.

Authorities found a burnt-out white ute believed to be the vehicle the men were traveling in when they went missing.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials stated that it was a distressing time for the family but assured that the agency was in constant communication.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting the family.

“I can indicate that our embassy in Mexico, as well as the Australian Federal Police, are working with local authorities. My department is providing consular support to the families involved,” she told reporters on Saturday.

Health Minister Mark Butler mentioned that the department was seeking information from Mexican authorities to assist the family.

“This is deeply distressing for the Australian community, especially the family and friends of these two young Australians,” he told reporters on Saturday.

Nine Network reported that the brothers’ family is traveling from Perth to Mexico to be closer to the investigation.

The U.S. State Department is closely monitoring the situation.

Both U.S. and Australian authorities have advised caution when traveling to Baja California due to the risk of violent crime.

with Reuters and AP