Mexican authorities said Thursday they have found tents and questioned a few people in the case of two Australians and an American who went missing over the weekend in the Pacific coast state of Baja California. (Image: AP Photo)
An American and two Australians who were missing for several days in Mexico were found dead on Friday. People familiar with the developments told news agency CNN that even though authorities haven’t confirmed if the bodies correspond to the three missing tourists but their charred pickup 65 kilometres from where their bodies were found.
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.
The bodies were found on a cliff to the south of Ensenada municipality, Baja California, a member of an activist group specialised in searching for missing people told the broadcaster.
Reuters first reported that American Jack Carter Rhoad and Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson were missing since April 29, citing the Baja California prosecutor’s office.
The trio were on a surfing and camping trip near Ensenada town, about 97 kilometres south of Tijuana.
Mexican officials found a vehicle, tents and a cell phone during searches of the area where the men were last seen. Three Mexicans are being questioned in connection with the death but it remains unclear if they are suspects.
Mexican officials previously said a vehicle, tents, and a cell phone had been found during searches of the area where the men were last seen. Three Mexican nationals were being questioned in connection with the case, though it is unclear if they are suspects. Authorities further added that the suspects appeared to have stolen the surfers’ truck and some of its parts were found in another truck belonging to one of the suspects.
A separate report by the Mexican news outlets said that the area where the bodies were found is difficult to access and rappelling equipment will be used to recover the bodies.
The US State Department said: “We are aware of those reports (of bodies) and are closely monitoring the situation. At this time we have no further comment.”
The family of Jake and Callum Robinson were on their way to Mexico, hoping to get “as close as possible to the area where they were last seen,” they said in a statement to Channel Nine News, a CNN affiliate.
Speaking to Channel Nine News, the family of Jake and Callum Robinson said they are on their way to Mexico and are trying to get “as close as possible to the area where they were last seen”.