On Friday, Mexican authorities found the bodies of three tourists in the northern Mexican state of Baja California.
State Prosecutor Maria Elena Andrade confirmed on Sunday that it was very likely that the two Australian brothers Jake (30 years old) and Callum Robinson (33 years old) and their American friend Jack Carter Rudd (33 years old) were found dead.
The men were wanted by their families for several days before they were found.
First, a burned car was found, before the police found three bodies on a farm 65 kilometers away, according to what the “Russia Today” website reported. CNN.
Missing: The men were reported missing for several days before they were found. Photo: Police
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To the Australians 7News Andrade says the bodies, believed to be those of the trio, were at the bottom of a 15-metre-deep well, near the coast.
The police have launched an investigation, and have a clear theory about what may have happened.
Dumped
The group of friends were on a surfing trip in Ensenada, Baja California, when the accident happened. The state is one of the most violent states in the country, but tourist areas such as Ensenada are considered safer.
The missing tourists are found dead
Andrade believes the two were killed in connection with an attempted robbery.
The men are said to have resisted when someone tried to take their car, leading to the three being shot.
The car is said to have been set on fire before the three were thrown into the well.
Three people have been arrested and charged in the case, ABC News reported on Saturday.
Another body found
Australian media reported that rescuers worked for hours to free and recover the bodies. They also had to use climbing equipment to reach the bodies at the bottom of the well.
Andrade adds that a fourth body was also found.
While traveling: The week before the Australian brothers were reported missing, they were at the Coachella festival in the USA. Photo: AFP/NTB
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However, this body was older and, according to the Public Prosecutor, had no connection to the case in question. The person has not been identified.
Investigators continue to search the area for additional evidence.
– Very annoying
The US State Department commented on the deaths on Saturday.
The statement said, according to what was reported by Reuters: “We are aware of the reports, and are following the situation closely.”
The Australian Foreign Affairs Department also says it is working closely with Mexican authorities and Australian police on the situation.
They also have a close dialogue with relatives.
The country's Minister of Health, Mark Butler, indicates that they are working hard to obtain important information.
“This is very disturbing for the Australian community, and especially for the family and friends of these two young Australians,” Butler says during a press conference on Saturday.
I traveled around
Australian Callum was a professional lacrosse player, while Jake was a doctor. Just before their surf vacation, they had gone to the Coachella festival in California.
According to CNN, the brothers' family traveled from Perth to Mexico in connection with the death.
The family reported the men missing on April 29, and on Wednesday, May 1, the mother invited her sons on a Facebook page for tourists in the area.
– Has anyone seen my sons? They did not contact us, she wrote.
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