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Killing of Shanquella Robinson

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Shanquella Brenada Robinson
BornJanuary 9, 1997
North Carolina, United States of America
DiedOctober 29, 2022(2022-10-29) (aged 25)
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Cause of deathFemicide, Homicide
NationalityAmerican
Criminal chargesFemicide
Parents
  • Bernard Robinson (father)
  • Salamondra Robinson (mother)

Shanquella Brenada Robinson (January 9, 1997 – October 29, 2022) was an American businesswoman, founder of a women's fashion clothing line, hairstylist and social media personality from North Carolina, United States, who was killed as a tourist while on vacation in Mexico.[1]

She died on October 29, 2022, shortly after travelling with a friend, a group of loose acquaintances, and after arriving in the Mexican resort town of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

There was considerable public interest and intrigue surrounding the cause of her death. In addition, substantial collaborative efforts of citizen journalism and amateur news bloggers, played an important role in bringing attention to Robinsons death, to the point of Mexican authorities facing enhanced scrutiny; especially as the municipal Police Department initially treated the case, as a case of conventional tourist alcohol intoxication.

However, a video that later surfaced, showed Robinson being violently attacked in a hotel room prior to her death.

The circumstances leading to her mysterious death, as well as the medical treatment, police report and forensic inquiries into the cause of her untimely passing, have led to an ongoing high profile, transnational criminal investigation within the United States and Mexico.

Background

Robinson was a graduate of historically black college university, Winston-Salem State University,[1][2] who ran several boutique beauty and children's hair-braiding businesses, under her "Exquisite Kids" and "Exquisite Boutique"[2][1] brands, in her hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina.

On October 28, 2022, Robinson travelled to Mexico with a friend and five travel companions; 3 women and 3 men, some of whom have been identified as Khalil Cooke, Malik St Patrick Dyer, Wenter Essence Donovan, Alysse Michelle Hyatt, Daejhanae Jackson, Nazeer Wiggins, for a short vacation stay.[3][4]

The group checked into a rental luxury apartment the Puerto Los Cabos resort, at the resort town of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.[5]

Death

On October 29, a day after the groups arrival, at around 2:13 p.m., a doctor from the American Medical Centre, Cabo San Lucas was requested, because a resident at the resort was feeling unwell.

Around the same time, Shanquella's mother, Salamondra Robinson, received a phone call from one of her daughters travel companions, that her daughter had taken ill and a doctor was on her way to tend to her welfare.[6][7]

Dr. Karolina Beatriz Ornelas-Gutiérrez from the American Medical Centre arrived within an hour, and found "a female in stable condition, but dehydrated, disorientated, verbally unresponsive, unable to communicate and appearing to be intoxicated".[8]

The explanation given to the doctor was that Robinson "drank a lot of alcohol".[9] The doctor recommended that Robinson be admitted into the hospital, but her travel companions insisted she be treated in the apartment room.[6]

During medical treatment, the doctor attempted to administer an IV-drip.[1]

However, Robinsons condition worsened when she suffered a tonic-clonic seizure (a stiffening of the body, arms and legs), as well as a sphincter relaxation (spontaneous defecation), around 4:13 p.m, about 1 hour into the doctors arrival.[4][9]

An ambulance was called around 4:20 pm, after Robinson began having trouble breathing, her pulse dropping and Robinson suffering a cardiac arrest.[6]

Ambulant Paramedics called to the scene around 4:49 pm, tried to resuscitate her, administering 14 CPR rounds of cardiac-vascular compressions and intrathoracic pressure to her chest, in an attempt to (re-)establish venous blood-oxygen saturation and blood flow, as well as injecting five doses of adrenaline and six electrical discharges from a defibrillator.

However, they were unable to revive any return of heartbeat, pulse, blood flow, pupillary reflexes or other human vital signs for Shanquella Robinson.[4]

Shanquella Robinson was finally declared clinically dead at 5:57 pm, according to the police report.[10]

Police report

Police officers "Omar" and "David", of the Los Cabos Municipal Police Department, were the two first responding officers at the scene around 5:25 pm, and they were briefed by Dr. Ornelas-Gutiérrez, who informed the officers that medical treatment was requested for a young lady who has had "too much alcohol".[4]

She briefed the officers she found a female in stable, but unresponsive condition, and that she had planned to admit her to hospital on an IV-line, which her travel companions objected to and requested the young lady be treated in the hotel room, after which her condition worsened, even after arrival of ambulant paramedics.[4]

After Robinson was declared dead, the investigating police officers notified the General Prosecutors Office (Attorney general) in the State of Baja California Sur, around 6:35 pm, reaching State Attorney "Julio Daniel" informing him of the death of a foreign citizen. They were instructed to file reports, investigation forms, before handing the case to Ministerial Police.[4]

Based on the eyewitness accounts and after consultation with Dr. Ornelas-Gutiérrez, the police report concluded that a "deceased person (cardiopulmonary arrest)" had died of alcohol poisoning, and that she died two hours and 45 minutes after the doctor was called to the residence.[8]

There was no observation of internal or external injuries in the police report.

Based on this police report and investigations of Mexican Authorities, the United States, State Department initially released a statement reporting "Mexican authorities said there was no clear evidence Robinson was murdered".[11][12]

Coroner report

On November 5, a notarized English translation of Robinsons death certificate, based on an autopsy report from forensic doctor Rene A. Galvan-Oseguera, from the Secretariat Of Health, Baja California Sur, dated on November 4, 2022, was released.[13]

The autopsy report described Robinsons death 15 minutes after suffering a severe spinal cord injury[4] and an atlas luxation,[12] which is a dislocation or separation of the skull base from the atlas bone; the first bone of the neck (spinal column).γ

The Forensic Doctor made following forensic observations in the official autopsy report.

Date and time of death: October 29, 2022 – 15:00 p.m..

Cause of death: "Severe Spinal Cord Injury and Atlas Luxation".β

Approximate time between injury and death: 15 Min.

Situation, circumstance or reason in which the injury occurred: "Person found unconscious on her living room."

Was it accidental or violent death? Yes[12]α

The autopsy report, neither mentioned death due to cardiac arrest, nor alcohol poisoning.

Investigation

U.S. Department of State

On November 16, the U.S. Department of State responded they were aware of the incident, releasing following statement:

"We are aware of these reports. Protecting the welfare of U.S. citizens overseas is among our top priorities. Out of respect for the privacy of those involved, we have no further comment at this time," the department stated.[14][15]

The Family`s doubts of conflicting accounts

As Salamondra Robinson, Shanquella's mother, disclosed during an ABC News "Good Morning America" interview, her family became suspicious of her daughters travel companions claims, when each one of them returned with a different story each,[16] and each story with inconsistencies.[6]

Some of her travel companions claimed a "maid" found her unconscious; some reported they called a doctor, some saying the apartment concierge called the doctor,[10] at first claiming Shanquella had died of alcohol poisoning and a few days later admitting that "there had been a fight, that she was fighting and she had been jumped".[17]

Regarding the location where Robinson was found unconscious, her travel associates raised further confusion and scepticism, when one told her mother they found Shanquella unconscious on the floor, another one claimed they found her in a bed, while another travel companion simultaneously told her father, Bernard Robinson, they found her in a chair.[18]

Shanquella's mother told CBS News during an interview that her daughters loose acquaintances initially suggested her daughter had taken ill from alcohol poisoning, a diagnosis which surprised her, since a doctor had not even arrived at that time, and since she had been told that a doctor was just on the way to their apartment.[17]

She remarked how she suggested that her daughter be taken to an emergency room, but her daughters travel companions had lied to her, claiming her daughters travel insurance was of no use in Mexico and that the emergency room required $5,000 in cash for her daughter to be seen.[17]

She recalled how further doubts began to surface, when the autopsy report emerged, showing the cause of death a broken neck, instead of alcohol poisoning.[19]

During an interview with Queen City News, Ms Robinson also said her daughter's body showed obvious signs of trauma, a knot on her head, a bruised face, swollen eye and a busted lip[20][21] after it was repatriated on November 12, ahead of Shanquella Robinsons November 19 funeral service which was held at the Macedonia Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.[22]

For more than two weeks the family attempted convincing authorities in the United States and in Mexico, that their daughters death was suspicious, deserving further investigation.

In a statement by Robinsons family published to GoFundMe (a crowdfunding page raising funds for the family's legal fees), Robinson's sister Quilla Long, announced the family will continue to investigate what happened:

"The United States State Department released a statement claiming "no clear evidence of foul play," yet there is a video circulating of a woman violently attacking Shanquella," Long said. "This statement is unacceptable, and we are beyond devastated. We continue to fight for the truth."[10]

Local journalists first reporting on this case

A journalist from the regional, Baja California Sur news chronicle Metropoli.Mx started covering the killing of Robinson,[23] in the wake of American, 73-year-old retiree Rodney Davis, who was kidnapped while hiking and camping on the out-and-back trail of Loreto-Juncalito, Baja California Sur, murdered, found dead and DNA identified by the local police.[24][25]

Mexican Journalists who were covering that case, in mid November 2022, where tipped off by local police that another American tourist, Shanquella Robinson, had been killed 4 days after Rodney Davis was murdered,[26] and started hearing rumors about a video of the incident being shared among Winston-Salem students.[26]

Leaked video

Beginning with the video of the incident being uploaded by a Twitter user named "BK – @Prettybrklyn" at 8:34 pm, on November 15, with over 2.7 million views,[27] a wave of viral cellphone footage began surfacing on several social media outlets, of a naked African-American woman being viciously beaten by one of her acquaintances in a bedroom of their vacation rental.

Salamondra Robinson confirmed that it was her daughter being beaten in the video.[17][19][7]

In the video, an attacker in frenzied rage, begins to viciously punch Robinson; lobbing a series of relentless fist jabs to her head, beating her from one side of a large hotel bed, to another corner of the bed, while violently yanking her neck, throwing the victim unto the floor, delivering further furious blows to her face and kicking her head with her knee, before stumbling back to the other side of the room, ending her assault on Robinson.[19]

There were at least two other people present during the altercation. There was a male person filming the dreadful assault and then another person filming the guy filming it; including a male who can be heard recommending to Robinson: "Quella? Can you at least fight back? At least sum`in?",[7] to which Robinson responded "No!", indicating that she was not interested in fighting.

The video, which was received with shock, incredulity and revulsion on social media networks,[28] subsequently raised questions about why, not only nobody intervened in the beating of a naked "friend", certainly most noteworthy the brutal beating of a naked woman in the middle of a hotel room, but instead chose to record the beating on a cellphone.[28]

Voices in the media have also called into question, why suspects or witnesses in a femicide or homicide investigation were freely allowed to return to the United States without any arrests or interrogation.[4][29]

Second State Attorney General investigation

On November 16, the State Attorney General's Office of Baja California Sur reopened their investigation into Robinson's death as a possible femicide, confirming investigators have revisited the crime scene and were collecting "more evidence to achieve the accurate clarification of the events".[29]

In a statement released to the press they disclosed:

"The State Attorney General’s Office (PGJE) of Baja California Sur carries out the field and cabinet proceedings to clarify the facts in which a female person of foreign origin lost her life, on October 29, in a beach club in San José del Cabo.

It is reported that last Saturday, October 29,at approximately 6:15 p.m., he received a call from a Public Security element who reported that, in a house in the Fundadores Beach Club subdivision, in San José del Cabo, there was a woman without life.

State Criminal Investigation Agents moved to the scene, where the first investigations were carried out under the corresponding protocols.

Experts from the Directorate of Expert Services, carried out the processing of the place, looking for clues that will be attached to the investigation folder.

The PGJE maintains the lines of investigation to collect more evidence to achieve the accurate clarification of the facts, without ruling out any hypothesis".[30]

According to the local Newspaper, authorities are also investigating the actions of the doctor, two officers of the local police force and the investigating state attorney with regards to negligence, official misconduct and dereliction of duties, as part of their inquiry.[4][10]

FBI Investigation

On November 18, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI field office in Charlotte, North Carolina, confirmed "it has also opened an investigation in the death of Charlotte resident, Shanquella Robinson in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, on or about October 29, 2022. Due to the ongoing investigation, we have no further comment".[31]

"Our investigation is completely separate from Mexico, I am not privy to anything they are doing", a spokesperson added.[31]

A group of agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigations Charlotte Field Office were reportedly seen at the crime scene in Los Cabos, according to local newsreports.[4]

Criminal charge of Femicide

On November 23, Daniel de la Rosa Anaya, Attorney General of Baja California General Prosecutors Office, announced an arrest court order relating to a femicide charge was issued against a person identified as an American, the "direct aggressor" in death of Shanquella Robinson.[32]

During a video interview with the YouTube Channel of local newspaper BCS Noticias, he "clarified" the cause of death relaying to the press, that Robinson did not die from alcohol intake, and also not from a fight,[33] but rather from a "direct assault against the 25 year old girl", causing the young woman a spinal cord fracture.[34]

He also conveyed his office had approached Mexican federal prosecutors and US Officials, to "carry out all relevant procedures both issuing an Interpol Red Alert to locate the suspect in the United States", as well as "his office working on formal extradition proceedings to extradite the suspect back to Mexico".[32]

The Governor of Baja California Sur, Víctor Manuel Castro Cosío echoed the same sentiments. He reflected upon the beginnings of the investigation when "he had not the precise data on that occasion, and that it had initially been reported as an accident in a hotel, but then the investigation turned out it was not, but rather a femicide".[35]

He emphasized, "we are going to request the extradition of course, we are going to process the extradition".[35]

Local news reports have however, in the meantime, also noted that an arrest warrant had been issued for one of Robinsons travel companions, but no one has yet to be officially identified in a criminal charge.[28]

See also

Notes

^α It remains slightly ambiguous, whether coroner meant to select "Yes: it was accidental" or "Yes: it was a violent death".
^β It is also unclear, if the doctor treating Robinson, was aware Robinson had sustained a broken neck, and if she was able to make any material diagnosis relating to neck injuries within the confines of a hotel room.
^γ An injury that often occurs, when a persons head is violently yanked or twisted away from the neck.

References

  1. ^ a b c d "A sickening video, a mysterious death: What really happened to Shanquella Robinson?". The Independent. November 25, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Cleary, Tom (November 17, 2022). "Shanquella Robinson: Charlotte Woman's Death in Mexico Investigated as Homicide". Heavy.com. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  3. ^ Silvercloud, Johnny (November 21, 2022). "The Murder of Shanquella Robinson". AfroSapiophile. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j MetropoliMx, Investigaciones (November 21, 2022). "FBI abre investigación sobre feminicidio de Quella Robinson en Los Cabos". MetrópoliMx (in Spanish). Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  5. ^ "Villa Linda 32 | VILLAWAY". VILLAWAY. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d Cox, Kallie (November 25, 2022). "Arrest warrant issued for suspect in Shanquella Robinson's death, reports say".
  7. ^ a b c "Many questions remain after Charlotte woman dies at Mexican resort". WSOC TV. November 17, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  8. ^ a b Kallie Cox, Sara Coello (November 23, 2022). "Doctor tried to revive Shanquella Robinson before her death, police report excerpt shows".
  9. ^ a b Levenson, Michael (November 23, 2022). "F.B.I. Investigates Death of American Woman in Mexico". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  10. ^ a b c d "A sickening video, a mysterious death: What really happened to Shanquella Robinson?". The Independent. November 25, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  11. ^ "Shanquella Robinson: Black social media is crucial for justice, experts say". NBC News. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  12. ^ a b c "Death in Cabo: Death certificate released, relays family's concerns". Queen City News. November 12, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  13. ^ "Police report, autopsy present different versions of Shanquella Robinson's death in Mexico". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  14. ^ Br; Hamilton, on; Riet, Emily Van de. "Family pushing for answers after daughter died during trip to Mexico". https://www.wsaz.com. Retrieved November 27, 2022. {{cite web}}: External link in |website= (help)
  15. ^ "Shanquella Robinson's death upgraded to "criminal matter"". www.yahoo.com. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  16. ^ Growing questions over death of American tourist in Mexico l GMA, retrieved November 27, 2022
  17. ^ a b c d "Mexico investigates death of American woman seen being beaten in video that has gone viral". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  18. ^ Shanquella Robinson's Death in Cabo, Father Believes Attack Was a Set Up | TMZ, retrieved November 29, 2022
  19. ^ a b c Tate, ReShonda (November 22, 2022). "New details: What really happened to Shanquella Robinson?". DefenderNetwork.com. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  20. ^ Misinformation clouds Robinson investigation, retrieved November 27, 2022
  21. ^ "Police report, autopsy present different versions of Shanquella Robinson's death in Mexico". WSOC TV. November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  22. ^ "Hundreds of mourners attend funeral for N.C. woman found dead in Mexico". NBC News. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  23. ^ MetropoliMx, Investigaciones (November 16, 2022). "Asesinan a golpes a joven extranjera en Puerto Los Cabos". MetrópoliMx (in Spanish). Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  24. ^ Daily, Carolyn Paletta Vail. "Eagle County local Rodney Davis reported missing in Mexico". www.postindependent.com. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  25. ^ Daily, Carolyn Paletta Vail. "Eagle County remembers Rodney Davis, the man who went missing in Mexico late October". www.summitdaily.com. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  26. ^ a b EXPLOSIVE, EXCLUSIVE Information On Shanquella Robinson's Case, ft. Gerardo Zuniga!, retrieved November 28, 2022
  27. ^ "Justice for Shanquella Robinson!!!! WATCH WHO YOU CALL YOUR FRIENDS! A snippet of what TRULY happened in mexico". Twitter video.
  28. ^ a b c Univision. "Fue un "ataque directo": nuevos detalles en el caso de la joven estadounidense que murió cuando vacacionaba en México". Univision (in Spanish). Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  29. ^ a b "Mexican prosecutors seek to extradite U.S. suspect in killing of North Carolina woman in San Jose del Cabo". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  30. ^ "FBI Charlotte opens investigation into death of Shanquella Robinson in Cabo". Queen City News. November 18, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  31. ^ a b Cox, Kallie (November 23, 2022). "What is known about Shanquella Robinson, woman who died in Cabo, Mexico?".
  32. ^ a b MetropoliMx, Redacción (November 23, 2022). "Ordenan arresto de homicida material de Shanquella Robinson". MetrópoliMx (in Spanish). Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  33. ^ Giran ficha roja para detener a presuntos asesinos de Shanquella Robinson, retrieved November 26, 2022
  34. ^ "Shanquella Robinson's friend has an arrest warrant after her death in Cabo San Lucas". MARCA. November 25, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  35. ^ a b Redacción (November 23, 2022). "Fue feminicidio el caso de Shanquella en Los Cabos; giraran ficha roja de Interpol contra "amigos"". BCS Noticias (in Spanish). Retrieved November 26, 2022.
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