'The world has become a darker place.' Callum and Jake Robinson's loved ones have spoken.

The parents of Aussie brothers Jake and Callum Robinson have released a statement today at a press conference, saying their "hearts are broken".

"The world has become a darker place for us," said parents, Debra and Martin.

"It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that Callum and Jake have been murdered. We also mourn the loss of [Jack] Carter Rhoad, a close friend. They were young men enjoying their passion of surfing together.

"Now it's time to bring them home to family and friends and the ocean waves in Australia. Please live bigger, shine brighter and love harder in their memory."

They thanked the Australian government and consulate for their assistance, also saying they were thankful for the love from the public. 

"We have been overwhelmed with the outpouring of emotions and support that we have received for Callum and Jake. We know that they were truly loved and impacted many people's lives." 

Mexican authorities confirmed the deaths of Jake and Callum after the pair went missing in Northern Mexico last week. Family members identified their bodies, along with the body of their American friend, Jack Carter Rhoad, after they were found in a well last week. They were found with bullet wounds to the heads.

Watch: Jake and Callum Robinson's parents speak. Post continues below.

The trio had been on the trip of a lifetime in the Mexican state of Baja California, south of the US border.

Thirty-three-year-old Callum was a successful lacrosse player based in the US, while his younger brother, Jake, 30, was a doctor working in Perth. The younger man had flown to America to spend some time with his big brother, doing what they both loved most — surfing.

On Instagram, Callum shared photographs of their trip. They went to Rosarito Beach, enjoyed beers on a rooftop and watched the waves while sipping coffee. 

But on April 27, the pictures stopped — and when the men were due to return to their accommodation in Rosarito, they didn't show up.

Two brothers and a 23-year-old woman — Jesús Gerardo Garica Cota, his partner Ari Gisel García Cota, and brother Christian Alejandro Garcia — have been taken into police custody. Two have been held on drugs charges and remain suspects, reports The Sydney Morning Herald, and one has been charged with a crime equivalent to kidnapping. Gerardo has since confessed to the killing, his charges expected to be upgraded.

It is understood the woman was found with one of the missing men's mobile phones and when she turned the device on, a local cell tower pinged. This led to authorities tracking her down.

Now, the chief state prosecutor Maria Elena Andrade Ramírez has said the alleged killers drove past their campsite, saw the group's utes and tents, and decided they wanted to steal their tyres.

"Surely they resisted," she said of the murdered men, before the thieves shot and killed them, reports The Sydney Morning Herald.

The alleged killers then went to what the chief state prosecutor called "a site that is extremely hard to get to" and dumped the victims' bodies into a well at least 10 metres deep.

Mexican authorities found the men's burnt-out car at a nearby ranch. Tents, believed to be the ones the group were using, were also found. On the morning of May 3, authorities found four bodies down a well on a cliff near the ocean, about two kilometres from the campsite.

Ramírez previously said investigators did not believe there was a link to organised crime and the fourth body found was unrelated to the group murder.

Friends and family pay tribute.

Online, friends and family of the Australian brothers have paid tribute. 

A friend from Perth, Jenny Nguy, said Jake had a bright future ahead of him. 

"I can't stop thinking about you, your family, your laugh, your kindness," Jenny wrote. "I can't stop crying thinking about how your parents are feeling right now."

Callum's girlfriend Emily Horwath has also shared a message on social media. 

"My heart is shattered into a million pieces. I don't have the words right now," Emily wrote in a post on Instagram. In another, she described him as "one of one". 

Callum's girlfriend Emily Horwath paid tribute on social media. Image: Instagram.

"I will love you forever," she said before adding in separate posts what she loved about Callum. 

"One of the million things I loved about Callum was how he treated my best friends as his own. Jenna was [our] permanent third wheel, and he always made her feel special," she continued.

"This world lost one of its kindest, silliest and most genuine of souls this week. Rest easy. I miss you."

His girlfriend also shared a voicemail from Callum that he had sent days prior to his death. She captioned it: "Will be playing this on repeat."

In the message, Callum said: "Happy Tuesday, good morning! It’s 11.11 and I'm just thinking about you. Just wanted to drop you a quick message and say, hello baby, hope you're having a phenomenal start to your day. I'm sensing a big grin on your face for some reason today. I hope you're full of positivity and smiles. Cheers baby, miss you."

San Diego surf photographer Randy Dible also shared his condolences at the news, saying Callum had bought a print from him, and had discussed his upcoming trip.

"I told him to go to La Bocana where there's great fishing and a wave to surf... I drew him a little map on a napkin," he wrote. "Really great guy and champion lacrosse player and surfer. Life is fleeting."

In a heartbreaking letter sent to the media before the brothers' bodies were identified, their parents, Debra and Martin, thanked the police and the Australian Government for their support.

Debra and Martin described their sons as beautiful human beings. 

"We love them so much and this breaks our hearts," they said. 

"Callum has been living in the US since following his dream to become a college lacrosse player then becoming a professional lacrosse star and ultimately represent Australia at the highest level. He is widely known in the US as the Big Koala. We think of him as our big soft friendly giant.

"Jake only left Australia two weeks ago to visit Callum. It was the trip of a lifetime to see visit [sic] his brother, before shortly taking up a new position at Geelong Hospital in Victoria. This follows his recent roles working in regional hospitals around Australia — always with a surf beach located nearby. Jake is such a gentle soul and would want no harm."

The parents added: "Surfing is a passion they both share. Our only comfort right now is that they were together doing something they passionately loved."

Callum's university team, Stevenson University Lacrosse, also shared a statement following the news. 

"It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of our dear teammate and friend, Callum Robinson," the club said.

"From his days leading us to victory on the field to his unwavering commitment to academic excellence, Callum was a true inspiration to us all."

The club said that "beyond his accolades, Callum will be remembered for his infectious spirit and larger-than-life personality.

"With his beautiful long hair and charming smile, he truly embodied the nickname 'big koala' — warm, friendly, and always there to lend a helping hand. Though he may be gone, Callum's legacy will live on in our hearts forever."

This article was originally published on May 4, 2024 and has since been updated with new information.

Feature Image: Instagram.