The parents of Perth brothers Callum and Jake Robinson, who died during a surfing trip in Mexico, have spoken emotionally after flying into the country and identifying their remains.
Martin and Debra Robinson broke down in tears as they spoke from San Diego, California, on Tuesday (local time).
Callum, 33, and Jake, 30, and their American friend Jack Carter Rhoad, 30, were killed in what authorities suspect was a robbery that escalated when the surfing trio resisted attempts to take them away.
They were camping on the beach of San Miguel in the Mexican state of Baja California when they were reported missing on April 27.
Their bodies were eventually found in a 50-foot pit on a nearby clifftop property, along with that of another local ranch owner.
Martin and Debra Robinson broke down in tears as they shared their heartbreak over their son’s death from San Diego, California, on Tuesday (local time).
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that Callum and Jake have been murdered,” Mrs Robinson said
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that Callum and Jake have been murdered,” Mrs Robinson said.
“Our hearts are broken and the world has become a darker place for us.
“We also mourn the loss of Carter Rhoad, a dear friend.
‘They were young men who enjoyed their passion together: surfing.
‘Now it’s time to bring them home to family and friends – and to the waves of the ocean in Australia. Please live bigger, shine brighter and love harder in their memories.”
She thanked those who had expressed their condolences, saying they were “overwhelmed by the outpouring of emotion and support.”
“We have always been very proud of their academic and sporting achievements and admired their life choices,” she said.
Martin and Debra Robinson (pictured) break down as they talk about their heartbreak
Mexico police claim Perth surfers and Mr Rhoad were shot in the head by locals as they tried to steal their pick-up truck tires
She spoke of Callum’s ‘larger-than-life character’ and his sporting achievement while playing professional lacrosse in America.
She described Jake as a “happy, gentle and compassionate soul” who was pursuing a career in medicine and was about to take up a new job in Geelong – close to some of Victoria’s best surfing beaches.
‘Jake’s passion was surfing and it was no coincidence that many of the hospitals where he worked were close to surfing beaches.’
Their comments come after the couple visited the morgue in Ensenada, Mexico, on Sunday (local time) to identify the bodies of their sons.
Mexican police claim the Perth surfers and Mr Rhoad were shot in the head by locals as they tried to steal the tires of their Chevrolet pick-up.
Mexican authorities have arrested three people – Jesús Gerardo Garcia Cota, Ari Gisel García Cota and Cristian Alejandro García – all of whom were allegedly found in possession of drugs.
The charges they will face had yet to be announced as authorities waited for formal confirmation of the bodies.
Brothers Jesus Gerardo Garcia Cota and Cristian Alejandro Garcia were two of three arrested in the suspicious deaths of two Australian brothers, Callum and Jake Robinson and American Jack Carter Rhoad
Their bodies were found in a well on a nearby cliff on Saturday after a desperate search was launched when their parents had not heard from them