In October, Shankera Robinson, 25, was found dead in her hotel room while vacationing with friends in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico. As of now, 18 weeks later, the FBI investigation is still ongoing and many questions surrounding her death remain unanswered.
On Friday, her family, along with lawyer, civil rights activist and civil rights attorney Ben Crump, held a press conference in Washington, D.C., to diplomatically intervene with President Joe Biden and the U.S. State Department to identify those responsible for Robinson’s death. justice.
The North Carolina native, who owned a popular hair braiding business and online boutique, died on Oct. 29 in her hotel room while on vacation with friends. Initially, her friends said Robinson died of alcohol poisoning. However, according to her death certificate, her death was due to a severe spinal cord injury and an atlas dislocation, a form of severe neck injury. Alcohol poisoning is not listed on the death certificate.
In early November, Mexican local authorities announced they were investigating the circumstances surrounding her death. Shortly after, a video surfaced online showing Robinson being beaten naked in her hotel room. In the video, another person hit Robinson repeatedly in the head, causing Robinson to fall to the ground. The person filming the video can be heard saying, “Can we at least fight back?”
Then, in late November, the Attorney General of Baja California Sur, Mexico, Daniel de la Rosa Anaya, announced that an arrest warrant had been issued for one of Robinson’s traveling companions and that the suspect’s extradition proceedings were underway. It is said that the cause of death was not a “fight” but a “direct attack”.
Extraditions can take months or even years, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. But Robinson’s family and friends continue to demand justice.
In an email sent to BuzzFeed News, a U.S. State Department spokeswoman said the State Department “supports a thorough investigation of the circumstances of this incident and is closely monitoring local authorities’ investigations.” ‘ and takes precedence over the safety and security of U.S. citizens abroad. ”
“The Department of Justice has not provided confirmation or comment on the investigation due to privacy and law enforcement considerations,” they added, referring to the FBI for further questions. to contact us for the latest information.
In recent months, Robinson’s community, also in Charlotte, has held funerals, multiple gatherings, and memorials to her.
“Justice for Shankera Robinson,” civil rights attorney Ben Crump said Friday morning in Washington, D.C. “Still, after all this visual evidence, no one has been arrested.”
“Mexico reported that the investigation was complete,” Crump said. “They identified a suspect, who is now released in the United States.”
At a press conference, Crump urged the U.S. government to “extradition the man who murdered Shankera Robinson to Mexico to face the alleged crime” or to bring those responsible for Robinson’s murder to justice. requested to obtain jurisdiction.
“We are calling for high-level intervention, diplomatic intervention, from the President of the United States and the State Department to do whatever is necessary to bring to justice the individuals or persons responsible for the murder of Shankera Robinson.” said Crump.
Attorney Sue-Ann Robinson, an attorney for Ben Crump Law and representing the Robinson family, also spoke at the press conference on Friday. She said Mexican authorities told her that they sent all investigative information to the FBI. In other words, “the ball is in the US courts”.
Robinson’s family, who passed away, also spoke at a news conference on Friday.
“I don’t want anyone to see that horrible nightmare,” said Shankera’s mother, Salamondra Robinson. “People who knew what happened to my daughter are living their lives. They have to go back to work and my family has to wait. Please help me and my family.” “
