Surfer slain in Mexico ‘probably tried to fight back,’ friend says

(NewsNation) — A man who narrowly missed out on a surfing trip where all three people were killed said he was stunned to hear of their deaths but still plans on returning to Mexico to surf in the future.

Mexican authorities say three suspects are now in custody related to the deaths of American Jack Carter Rhoad and Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson. According to authorities, the suspects intended to steal the victims’ truck because they wanted the tires.

The bodies of the three men were found in a well, which had been covered up by boards, and they had been shot to death.

Randy Dible, a surfing photographer, had initially planned to join the trio, but work obligations meant he had to cancel his plans. Until now, Dible said he had never been worried about his safety when traveling to Mexico’s Baja California peninsula.

“My grandfather brought me there as a toddler and we came there every Thanksgiving with all of our family. I brought my family there,” Dible told NewsNation. “It’s always been a sacred place to our family and it’s always been a real peaceful and tranquil place. Nothing’s ever happened there before, and that’s why I drew a map to go there — because it was a special place to me and I thought everything would be fine.”

Dible said he believes the men might have tried to resist the robbery, especially Callum Robinson, who he described as 6-foot-4 and solid muscle.

“He probably tried to fight back when these guys came to rob them and they just shot him in the head,” Dible said.

Dible said the last time he saw his friend was about a month ago, when he suggested the surfing spot after finding out Robinson was planning a trip to Mexico. When he read the news that the three men were missing, he was shocked.

“That’s the guy that I was supposed to go on a trip with,” Dible said. “The next day my friend called me and said they just found his body, and then it just hit home.”

Dible said despite the tragedy, he does plan to return to the area, noting that surfers are rarely targeted in Mexico. He does say things have changed since the 1980s and 1990s as cartels have gained a bigger hold in Mexico, increasing the danger for tourists.

“The cartels really ruined it for a lot of people,” he said. “I love Mexico and the Mexican people and I really feel for them because this has put a damper on their tourism.”