Watch now | In another tragic case, three surfers - two Australian and one American - took a trip to Baja California and didn’t make it back; their bodies were found in a well with bullet wounds. Baja California authorities were quick to find them and arrest suspects. But questions remain. How did they get to the alleged perpetrators? If it was a robbery why was the vehicle of the surfers burned out.
When I first saw the story my mind went to a drug deal gone bad. That’s an old story in that part of the country. I think the rock band Blue Oyster Cult had a song on their first album about a situation like that. This seems different I guess but like you said it seems strange they were found so quickly.
Yeah, that thought crossed my mind as well. It's probably not and we haven't seen evidence of this - but there seems at least something more to this than we have so far. If they killed three people over robbing some tires that is pretty crazy - and tragic.
Easy to imagine that the first fellow might have been killed inadvertently and the rest, killing the other two and burning the truck, were to try to coverup.
That could be the case. However, it is getting even fishier. All three seemed to be shot in the head and now two of the suspects seem to have disappeared.
Yes, the case of the Aussies who were killed in Sinaloa is another tragedy, and the case of your brother is as well. I hope you are keeping well there friend and all best. I know you must feel these tragedies closely, and they keep on happening. All best.
The first thought that came through my mind was the killings of the surfers and the burning of the car were attempts to embarrass local and state government officials. Idyllic Baja has always had a dark underbelly hiding some real violence and corruption. Travel in Baja was always an event especially with corrupt police particularly in Ensenada and petty crime which did become very violent. The farmworker strikes in San Quentin and Ensenada in 2015 really created some sinister violence that reminded people of the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. The farmworkers were crushed with murder and kidnapping, events government officials on both sides of the border did not publicize. My first cousin was a big time surfer in the 1960's and he avoided Baja like the plague. Too many shadows of violence for him. Tijuana was safer for him. Less shadows.
The idea of killing and burning the vehicle to make trouble - or calentar la plaza - should definitely be taken into account. Good point there. It could be meth heads killing them over a car jacking but it doesn't sit right with me. The thieves would have known if they killed three foreigners it would create a problem. Ah, I imagine surfing in Mexico in the 60 must have been amazing. I am surprised though that there was still concern about Baja then - interesting.
Problem was always local police and Federales in the 60's Federales were the most intimidating and fearsome. Much of the local police were connected to some gang in the area. Not only did my first cousin had troubles with them, but my father and I going to boxing matches in Baja even travelling to the municipal auditorium in Tijuana. Always stopped and taken out of the car. We kept money strapped to our lower calves. The new Plaza by the Sea Bullring that was built in I think 1960 was really dangerous if you took the wrong road. That is where there was a police escort for foreign boxing fans for one fight- Vicente Saldivar versus Ismael Laguna. There were even turf wars between surfers in Baja in the 60's. Those wars were just an extension of the beach wars in Southern California.
Don’t know, mexico must be completely off the list, a No go place… anyway I feel terrible for the family of the Australian brothers and their American man.
And there is a surf beach in El Salvador - but it's different when you are un San Diego, flying from Los Angeles or just jumping in a car and going to Baja. Best there Guido Perez
That’s the $69 Question! A lot of things don’t add up. And I’d be interested as to how they made arrests so quickly. It’s a shame—I used to go to Ensenada once a year to go fishing. Is it safe anymore?
Yeah, let's see what else comes out - did the local cartel hand them in I wonder, or is there more to the motive? Was that fishing out far into the sea, or just close to the coast? "Safe," is is a bit of a relative one. You can still go but judging from the extreme murder levels in Baja, you improve your odds by avoiding it - but then it depends on your choices (I still go myself but then I have made my peace with doing this...)
Yeah very sad. We'll see what happens. Tragic to say but at least they found the victims and the families are not tortured for ever by the disappearance. All best there Susana. I hope all is well.
Google 'Find my Phone' they looks like apple phone owners, makes it easier
Yeah, especially if the FBI were on the case they would be phone tracing...
When I first saw the story my mind went to a drug deal gone bad. That’s an old story in that part of the country. I think the rock band Blue Oyster Cult had a song on their first album about a situation like that. This seems different I guess but like you said it seems strange they were found so quickly.
Yeah, that thought crossed my mind as well. It's probably not and we haven't seen evidence of this - but there seems at least something more to this than we have so far. If they killed three people over robbing some tires that is pretty crazy - and tragic.
Easy to imagine that the first fellow might have been killed inadvertently and the rest, killing the other two and burning the truck, were to try to coverup.
That could be the case. However, it is getting even fishier. All three seemed to be shot in the head and now two of the suspects seem to have disappeared.
Well you of all people know how cheap life can be. You’ve seen enough of that.
Yeah, too much in some ways! Best there Daniel.
@IoanGrillo did you see this? looks like one of the suspects has evaded custody https://zetatijuana.com/2024/05/fge-solo-turno-a-novia-del-kekas-a-la-fgr/
This is crazy and raises even more suspicion about this case. Also, the Baja California prosecutors are the same ones who handled El Plaga - if you saw the story I published on that mess... https://www.crashoutmedia.com/p/narco-el-plaga-gives-me-an-interview
In 2015 two Aussie surfers were murdered by highway theives in Sinaloa. The Mexican authorities grabbed a couple of guys and forced confessions.
The families feel that the real murderers are still afoot.
As someone that has had a brother murdered in Mexico, understand the judicial system is completely corrupted.
Stay away!
Yes, the case of the Aussies who were killed in Sinaloa is another tragedy, and the case of your brother is as well. I hope you are keeping well there friend and all best. I know you must feel these tragedies closely, and they keep on happening. All best.
The first thought that came through my mind was the killings of the surfers and the burning of the car were attempts to embarrass local and state government officials. Idyllic Baja has always had a dark underbelly hiding some real violence and corruption. Travel in Baja was always an event especially with corrupt police particularly in Ensenada and petty crime which did become very violent. The farmworker strikes in San Quentin and Ensenada in 2015 really created some sinister violence that reminded people of the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. The farmworkers were crushed with murder and kidnapping, events government officials on both sides of the border did not publicize. My first cousin was a big time surfer in the 1960's and he avoided Baja like the plague. Too many shadows of violence for him. Tijuana was safer for him. Less shadows.
The idea of killing and burning the vehicle to make trouble - or calentar la plaza - should definitely be taken into account. Good point there. It could be meth heads killing them over a car jacking but it doesn't sit right with me. The thieves would have known if they killed three foreigners it would create a problem. Ah, I imagine surfing in Mexico in the 60 must have been amazing. I am surprised though that there was still concern about Baja then - interesting.
Problem was always local police and Federales in the 60's Federales were the most intimidating and fearsome. Much of the local police were connected to some gang in the area. Not only did my first cousin had troubles with them, but my father and I going to boxing matches in Baja even travelling to the municipal auditorium in Tijuana. Always stopped and taken out of the car. We kept money strapped to our lower calves. The new Plaza by the Sea Bullring that was built in I think 1960 was really dangerous if you took the wrong road. That is where there was a police escort for foreign boxing fans for one fight- Vicente Saldivar versus Ismael Laguna. There were even turf wars between surfers in Baja in the 60's. Those wars were just an extension of the beach wars in Southern California.
Tough times then as now. Still, I would have loved to seen Tijuana back then...
Don’t know, mexico must be completely off the list, a No go place… anyway I feel terrible for the family of the Australian brothers and their American man.
Why coming to mexico when one could go to El Salvador which is now a safe place.
And there is a surf beach in El Salvador - but it's different when you are un San Diego, flying from Los Angeles or just jumping in a car and going to Baja. Best there Guido Perez
That’s the $69 Question! A lot of things don’t add up. And I’d be interested as to how they made arrests so quickly. It’s a shame—I used to go to Ensenada once a year to go fishing. Is it safe anymore?
Yeah, let's see what else comes out - did the local cartel hand them in I wonder, or is there more to the motive? Was that fishing out far into the sea, or just close to the coast? "Safe," is is a bit of a relative one. You can still go but judging from the extreme murder levels in Baja, you improve your odds by avoiding it - but then it depends on your choices (I still go myself but then I have made my peace with doing this...)
Tragic. I guess we'll never find out exactly what happened.
Yeah very sad. We'll see what happens. Tragic to say but at least they found the victims and the families are not tortured for ever by the disappearance. All best there Susana. I hope all is well.
Thanks as always for the excellent context/analysis and for your empathy towards the families.