Parents of missing brothers thankful for support as they begin trip to Mexico
The parents of the Australian brothers missing in Mexico have thanked everyone for their support as they begin a trip to the area where the two men and their friend were last seen.
Three people have been arrested and a burnt-out ute has been found as the search continues for Jake and Callum Robinson and their US friend Jack Carter Rhoad in Mexico.
Family and friends are appealing for assistance in finding the trio who went missing during a camping trip in the Baja California region, near Ensenada, after they failed to check into an Airbnb.
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The brothers' family is appealing for information or help. Nine
The trio have not been seen or heard from since April 27.
Parents Martin and Debra Robinson said they were overwhelmed by the level of love and support.
"We know the Callum and Jake are much loved," the Robinsons said.
"We thank everyone, especially the police, DFAT, Australian embassy staff and other authorities, for continuing the search to find the answers we desperately seek.
"We are heading to the US/Mexico to be as close as possible to the area where they were last seen.
"Callum and Jake are beautiful human beings. We love them so much and this breaks our heart."
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Jake and Callum Robinson who are still missing in Mexico. Nine
The parents said Callum was living in the US to follow his dream of becoming a professional Lacrosse player and to represent Australia.
"He is widely known in the US as the Big Koala," they said.
"We think of him as our big soft friendly giant."
Jake left Australia two weeks ago to visit his brother.
"It was a trip of a lifetime to see visit his brother, before shortly taking up a new position at Geelong Hospital in Victoria," they said.
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Their parents said they were "beautiful human beings". Nine
Jake has spent time working in regional hospitals across Australia, always with a surf beach nearby.
The brothers had been to the Coachella music festival before heading to Mexico to surf.
"Jake is such a gentle soul and would want no harm," his family said.
"Our only comfort right now is that they were together doing something they passionately love.
"We ask people to keep them in their thoughts and prayers and to continue to respect our privacy at this distressing time."
Mexican police reponse
A local police commander told 9News he feared the three men had ventured too far out of Ensanada to a remote area.
The brothers were driving a white Chevrolet Colorado ute.
Callum has type one diabetes, adding to his family's concerns.
This morning, the Baja California Attorney General, María Elena Andrade Ramírez told reporters, including 9News' Alison Piotrowski, that three Mexican people had been arrested in connection to the case.
Ramírez said the search was focused on three abandoned tents discovered south of the Ensenada region.
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A burnt-out ute found in the search for the missing brothers. Supplied
A car matching the description of the Chevrolet Colorado ute has also been found burnt out on a nearby farm.
The search area takes in hundreds of square kilometres.
Ramírez told 9News that the investigation was "incredibly important" to Mexican authorities.
It had previously been reported that a woman was arrested.
The Chevrolet Colorado ute, as seen on one of the brothers' Instagram pages. The Age
9News understands a woman was found to be in possession of one of the brothers' mobile phones, but it has not been confirmed which man.
It's understood she turned the phone on, which caused it to ping a local cell tower and allowed authorities to track her down.
Mexican authorities said social media posts relating to the trio's disappearance sparked the police investigation.
It's also understood authorities found drugs on her when she was arrested.
Police said they conducted a large search today across the Baja Coast.
They said the search was large because they didn't have a lot of evidence at the moment.
First call for help
The brothers' mother took to social media to appeal for information or help yesterday.
"Reaching out to anyone who has seen my two sons. They have not contacted us since Saturday 27th April," she said.
"They were due to book into an Airbnb in Rosarito after their camping weekend but they did not show up."
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson confirmed DFAT is providing consular assistance to the family.
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