The close-knit and peaceful surfing community in the Mexican port of Ensenada is in shock.

Three foreign surfers – two Australian brothers, Callum and Jake Robinson, and their American friend, Jack Carter Rhoad – had arrived in town just a few days prior, eager to experience some of the best surfing spots in North America on what was meant to be the trip of a lifetime.

Now, their bodies are being returned to their families after being brutally murdered at a campsite.

The trio had planned to follow a popular route, departing from Ensenada, surfing and camping along the Pacific coast, with the intention of reaching Rosarito further north. Tragically, they never arrived at their intended destination.

Several days later, their bodies were discovered in a well several kilometers from the campsite, with their burnt-out pick-up truck found nearby. Authorities reported that each man had been shot in the head, sending a wave of fear through the local surfing community.

The ramifications of the violence are still being felt throughout the usually peaceful beach town.

“It’s difficult. Honestly, I’ve always felt safe here,” said Jessica, an American from San Diego now residing near Ensenada, her wetsuit still wet from a morning surf.

Throughout its 500-year history, Ensenada has often been filled with visitors from the United States. During Prohibition in the early 20th Century, the city’s economy particularly benefited from Americans coming south in search of legal alcohol.

Today, Ensenada is the third-largest city in the state, with a thriving tourist industry and a significant ex-pat community. Thousands of foreigners – ranging from retirees to digital nomads – have settled in the city to enjoy its beachfront properties, warm climate, and relaxed atmosphere, especially considering the rising cost of living in the US.

And, of course, it attracts a large number of surfers every year.