Heartbreaking photos have emerged of slain US surfer Jack Carter Rhoad who was shot in the head in Mexico alongside his Australian friends Jake and Callum Robinson.
The trio were on a surfing trip and were reported missing last week while camping in the notorious state of Baja California.
On Monday, authorities confirmed three bodies were found which have been identified by relatives as being the two brothers, Perth-born Jake and Callum, aged 30 and 33 and their American friend Jack, aged 30.
Jack, a recruitment worker from San Diego was due to marry his fiancée Natalie Wiertz in just a few months after he proposed in the middle of last year, according to The Mirror US.
The touching images show Natalie beaming as she embraces Jack who is down on one knee as the sun sets over the ocean in the background.
Other images show Natalie enjoying her hens party in April as she posed happily alongside her friends.
Jack, who is originally from Atlanta, was to tie the knot with the love of his life in August.
In the wake of the devastating news, Natalie’s good friend Aubrey Byers, has set up a GoFundMe.
It’s to support Natalie, but to also raise funds for scholarships and donations Jack felt passionate about.
Jack visited Mexico throughout his adult life after volunteering for a medical mission in Guatemala at 19, according to the Daily Mail.
On the GoFundMe page Ms Byers said the three boys’ brought immeasurable joy, love, and kindness to those around them, “leaving a mark on our lives”.
“We’ve created this GoFundMe page for two purposes: the first is to rally support for Natalie during this unimaginably difficult time and provide essentials such as housing, food, transportation, and more,” it read.
“The second is to honour Carter by raising money for scholarships and donations he felt passionate about. No donation is too small, and every contribution is deeply appreciated.”
Jack, who was a diversity and inclusion advocate, according to his LinkedIn profile and described himself as someone who “loves people”.
“I’m lucky to have found a “job” that fuels my passion for problem-solving by connecting the right people with the right companies,” he wrote.
“Building genuine relationships is one of the most rewarding things in life, and I feel humbled every day by the people who surround me. Obstacles are just opportunities in costumes, they can be scary or they can be fun just depends on how you look at them.”
Jack, together with brothers Jake and Callum had just spent a weekend at the Coachella festival before heading on a surfing trip along the Mexican coast, south of Ensenada.
They were reported missing after they failed to show up at the accommodations they had booked in Rosarito, Debra Robinson, the Australian brothers’ mother said in a Facebook post.
Their bodies were among four found 15m down a hidden well over the weekend, in a desolate section of Santo Tomas, Baja California, which was located near the last known campsite of the trio.
“The state prosecutor’s office confirms that the bodies found in the well in the area known as La Bocana, south of Ensenada, correspond to Jake and Callum (Robinson), of Australian origin, as well as the American (Jack) Carter,” officials said in a statement released on Monday afternoon.
“The confirmation comes once the victims’ relatives were able to identify them, without the need for genetic tests to be performed.”
On Monday, Maria Elena Andrade Ramirez, the Attorney-General of the State of Baja California, said it was believed the men were shot in the head while resisting a robbery.
She also said she couldn’t rule out the possibility the Robinsons were victims of a notorious drug gang.
There are also questions swirling over the fourth body found down the well and that person’s connection to the incident.
“They approached, with the intention of stealing their vehicle and taking the tyres and other parts to put them on the older-model pick-up they were driving,” Ms Andrade Ramirez said.
“When they (the victims) came up and caught them, surely, they resisted.
“And these people, the assailants, took out a gun and first they killed the one who was putting up resistance against the vehicle theft, and then others came along and joined the fight to defend their property and their companion who had been attacked, and they killed them too.”
‘My heart is shattered into a million pieces’
Callum’s girlfriend Emily Horwath has since opened up on social media following the tragedy.
“My heart is shattered into a million pieces. I don’t have the words right now,” Ms Horwath wrote, alongside a broken heart emoji and a photo of her and Callum looking happy while celebrating at a wedding.
“You are one of one,” she wrote in another post.
“I will love you forever.”
“I’d give anything for one more koala hug,” Ms Horwath wrote in a post accompanying a picture of Callum with his arms wrapped around her.
“Praying God has wrapped you in His arms.
“I miss you.”
A GoFundMe has also been set up to support the Callum boys’ parents with just over $US231,000 ($350,000) already raised.
“In honour of their memory and the support of their families, we’ve created this GoFundMe page to rally around Martin and Debra Robinson during this unimaginably difficult time,” it read.
“Your generosity will assist with essentials such as housing, food, transportation, and more. No donation is too small, and every contribution is deeply appreciated.
It includes a breakdown of what the money will be spent on including $US30,000 ($45,000) for flights home for the entire family (and transport of Callum/Jake).
“This by no means is a quote or exact cost but rather an estimate of expenses for Martin and Deb. The family has incurred some large bills already that will need help and then in addition to those above there will be the costs of winding down Callum’s USA presence such as lease breakage or transport of his belongings, etc.”
Ms Horwath also took to her Instagram stories on Monday to share a link to both fundraisers, with a message alongside Jack’s GoFundMe post.
“Please consider donating to Natalie, Carter’s fiance to support her during this unimaginable time. They are and always will be the most beautiful couple. I feel grateful to have witnessed their love, Callum loved both of them dearly.”
Callum had reportedly been living in the US to follow his dream of becoming a professional lacrosse player. His brother Jake was visiting him where the trio would embark on their long-awaited surfing trip.