Bodies found in Mexico are likely missing American and 2 Australians, authorities say

[Judi Lynn]

By —
Mark Stevenson, Associated Press
May 4, 2024 6:40 PM EDT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Three bodies recovered in an area of Mexico’s Baja California state are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.

While there has not yet been confirmation based on forensic examination, physical characteristics — including hair and clothing — means there is a high likelihood that the bodies are those of the three tourists, local TV network Milenio reported, citing chief state prosecutor María Elena Andrade Ramírez.

“It is presumed that (the bodies) are the ones being investigated,” an employee of the state prosecutors’ office who was not authorized to be quoted by name told The Associated Press.

The bodies were found in a well where investigators also found another body that authorities said would be investigated.

“A fourth body was located. It is not related to the three foreigners. The fourth body had been there for a long time,” the official added.

More:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/david-e-kelley-s-a-man-in-full-comes-apart-at-the-seams/ar-AA1o3euL

[Judi Lynn]

1. Dead bodies in Mexico most probably are missing U.S., Australian surfers

Lizbeth Diaz
Sat, May 4, 2024 at 2:23 p.m. CDT·2 min read

By Lizbeth Diaz

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -The three dead bodies found in Mexico's Baja California state are highly likely to be the American and two Australian tourists who went missing last week, a senior official from the region said on Saturday.

Mexican authorities are conducting forensic tests after finding the bodies on Friday in a well following a days long search for Australian brothers Callum, 33, and Jake Robinson, 30, as well as American Carter Rhoad, 30.

The trio were on vacation surfing near the popular tourist town of Ensenada, about 90 minutes south of the U.S.-Mexico border on the Pacific coast.

"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," said Baja California's state Attorney General Maria Elena Andrade.

Andrade said that while the three bodies were found in an advanced state of decomposition at the bottom of a well more than 15 meters (50 ft) deep, "some physical descriptions give us that high probability".

Baja California is one of Mexico's most violent states, although the Ensenada area is considered safer. The U.S. State Department advises Americans to reconsider travel to the state due to crime and kidnapping.

More:
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/dead-bodies-mexico-likely-missing-192329816.html

[Eugene]

2. Mexican authorities say thieves killed 2 Australians and an American to steal their truck

Mexican authorities say thieves killed 2 Australians and an American to steal their truck (Associated Press)

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Thieves killed two Australians and an American on a surfing trip to Mexico in order to steal their truck, particularly because they wanted the tires, authorities said Sunday.

Baja California state prosecutors released grisly details of the slayings, but have not yet officially confirmed the identification of the bodies. They said family members of the victims are viewing the bodies to see if they can be identified by sight.

https://apnews.com/article/mexico-missing-foreigners-australian-american-surfers-94f03f0570312308a4989476435c3102

[Judi Lynn]

3. Great article. Important warnings should be considered for car trips to Baja. Thank you, very much. 😨