The parents of Aussie brothers Jake and Callum Robinson, who were murdered while on a surfing trip in Mexico, have spoken of their grief over the last few months.
Their parents, Debra and Martin, said readjusting to their new normal without the two boys has been "heartbreaking".
Back in April, Jake and Callum went missing in Northern Mexico, along with their American friend Jack Carter Rhoad who they were travelling with.
The trio had been on the trip of a lifetime in the Mexican state of Baja California doing what they loved most — surfing. Thirty-three-year-old Callum was a successful lacrosse player based in the US, while his younger brother, Jake, 30, was a doctor working in Perth.
On Instagram, Callum shared photographs of their trip. They went to Rosarito Beach, enjoyed beers on a rooftop and watched the waves while sipping coffee.
But on April 27, the pictures stopped. Weeks later, the three bodies were recovered.
"We had these dreams, as every parents do, for their children," said Martin this week to 9News. "Now they're not going to happen and we have to readjust to that, the fact that we don't have a family anymore."
Debra added through tears: "I just wanted them to have a good life, you know. We miss them lots."
The parents said they are now planning to start a foundation to honour their boys.
People from their community, loved ones and even complete strangers donated over $500,000 in memory of Jake and Callum. Now Debra and Martin want to do something meaningful with the funds. They said the foundation would focus on helping those wanting to get into the medical field or those trying to get ahead in sports — reflective of both their sons' passions.
"It's an opportunity to keep the memory of the boys alive," Martin said.
In May, Mexican authorities confirmed the deaths of Jake and Callum, after the brothers and their friend Rhoad were found deceased in a well. They had bullet wounds to their heads.
Family members identified their bodies.
Two brothers and a 23-year-old woman — Jesús Gerardo Garica Cota, his partner Ari Gisel García Cota, and brother Christian Alejandro Garcia — have been taken into police custody. Two have been held on drugs charges and remain suspects, reports The Sydney Morning Herald, and one has been charged with a crime equivalent to kidnapping. Gerardo has since confessed to the killing, his charges expected to be upgraded.
It is understood the woman was found with one of the missing men's mobile phones and when she turned the device on, a local cell tower pinged. This led to authorities tracking her down.
The chief state prosecutor Maria Elena Andrade Ramírez said the alleged killers drove past their campsite, saw the group's utes and tents, and decided they wanted to steal their tyres.
"Surely they resisted," she said of the murdered men, before the thieves shot and killed them.
The alleged killers then went to what the chief state prosecutor called "a site that is extremely hard to get to" and dumped the victims' bodies into a well at least 10 metres deep.
Mexican authorities found the men's burnt-out car at a nearby ranch. Tents, believed to be the ones the group were using, were also found.
At the time, Martin and Debra released a statement saying: "The world has become a darker place for us."
Watch: Jake and Callum Robinson's parents speak. Post continues below.
"It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that Callum and Jake have been murdered. We also mourn the loss of [Jack] Carter Rhoad, a close friend. They were young men enjoying their passion of surfing together.
"Now it's time to bring them home to family and friends and the ocean waves in Australia. Please live bigger, shine brighter and love harder in their memory."
They thanked the Australian government and consulate for their assistance, also saying they were thankful for the love from the public.
"We have been overwhelmed with the outpouring of emotions and support that we have received for Callum and Jake. We know that they were truly loved and impacted many people's lives."
Callum's girlfriend Emily Horwath shared a message on social media following confirmation of his murder.
"My heart is shattered into a million pieces. I don't have the words right now," Emily wrote in a post on Instagram. In another, she described him as "one of one".
"One of the million things I loved about Callum was how he treated my best friends as his own. Jenna was [our] permanent third wheel, and he always made her feel special," she continued. "This world lost one of its kindest, silliest and most genuine of souls this week. Rest easy. I miss you."
His girlfriend also shared a voicemail from Callum that he had sent days prior to his death. She captioned it: "Will be playing this on repeat."
In the message, Callum said: "Happy Tuesday, good morning! It’s 11.11 and I'm just thinking about you. Just wanted to drop you a quick message and say, hello baby, hope you're having a phenomenal start to your day. I'm sensing a big grin on your face for some reason today. I hope you're full of positivity and smiles. Cheers baby, miss you."
This article was originally published on May 4, 2024 and has since been updated with new information.
Feature Image: Instagram.
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