Updated as of 10: 30 a.m. E.T. on 11/18/22: On Thursday, Mexican prosecutors stated that they have opened an investigation into the death of Shanquella Robinson. In a report published by The Daily Beast, the State Attorney Generalโs Office for the Baja Sur shared that Robinsonโs death was first opened as a femicide. However, if her death wasnโt motivated by gender,ย it will be changed to standard homicide.
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A statement to The Daily Beast read:
โState Criminal Investigation Agents went to the scene where the initial investigation was carried out under the corresponding protocols. Experts from the Director of Specialized services carried out the processing of the premises in search of any indications that should be included within the investigation file. The PGJE will maintain the leadership of the investigation in order to collect more evidence and achieve an accurate clarification with the facts, without ruling out any hypothesis.โ
On October 28, Shanquella Robinson traveled to San Jose del Cabo with six friends. According to her parents, they stayed in a rental villa in Fundadores, which is a gated community. In an interview with ABC affiliate WSOC-TV, Robinsonโs parents stated that just a day after she arrived, they were informed their daughter had died.
Sallamondra Robinson, the victimโs mother, explained: โThey said she wasnโt feeling well, that it was alcohol poisoning.โ However, ABC News obtained the Mexican Secretariat of Healthโs autopsy report and death certificate for Robinson. The cause of death was classified as โsevere spinal cord injury and atlas luxation.โ Alcohol was not mentioned.
In addition, the documentโdated November 4โlists that the exact time between injury and death was 15 minutes. The box asking whether the death was โaccidental or violentโ was marked yes. The document states that Robinson was found unconscious in the living room of a home on Padre Kino Avenue, near Fundadores Beach Club, on Oct. 29.
Bernard Robinson, Shanquella Robinsonโs father, told WSOC-TV: โItโs like a nightmare. I canโt even sleep. I am just frustrated. My heart is just aching as a father. I just want some truth because this doesnโt add up right.โ
Over the last few days, a video (The Root hasnโt verified the footage) has been circulating online allegedly showing a woman attacking Robinson. Robinsonโs mother said the people in the video were friends of her daughter who went on the trip to Mexico with her. She also believes the video was taken during the trip. However, where and when the video was taken currently remains unknown.
โIt was never a fight. She didnโt fight. They attacked her,โ Sallamondra Robinson remarked to WSOC-TV. โShe did not deserve to be treated like that.โ On Wednesday, the State Attorney Generalโs Office of Baja California Sur said in a statement that it will continue to investigate Robinsonโs death.
Also on Wednesday, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City informed ABC News that its staff โare aware of Shanquella Robinsonโs death and are providing consular services to her family.โ
Despite all of the questions that remain surrounding what happened to Robinson, her family demands justice. โBy the grace of God, I think I am going to get to the bottom of this. God ainโt gonna fail. Itโs going to come out,โ her father said. โIโm not giving up. I am very confident that I am going to have peace of mind.โ
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