Disappointing news: This Wednesday it was announced that federal prosecutors will not file criminal charges in the death of Shanquella Robinson, the 25-year old who died on October 29, 2022, while on a trip with friends to Cabo, Mexico.
As we previously reported, Robinson,
arrived in the town of San José del Cabo, a resort city on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, with six friends. A day later, she was found dead in the rental property where they were staying. Robinson’s friends told her mother that she’d died of alcohol poisoning. However, Mexican officials said Robinson died of a cracked spine. After those details were shared with the public and a video emerged, showing Robinson getting brutally beaten by her “friends” during the trip. it raised many questions about the Charlotte native’s death.
Family and close friends immediately started calling on authorities to thoroughly investigate the incident. Weeks after, authorities later brought charges against one of her friends. However, the United States did not extradite the person charged in Robinson’s death.
While there was great hope that the long wait meant her case was being handled, United States Attorney Dena King and the FBI gave the upsetting development in the case:
In a Wednesday statement, they explained there was not enough evidence of wrongdoing to issue criminal charges in this case.
“Federal officials with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in the Middle and Western Districts of North Carolina and the FBI met with the family of Ms. Shanquella Robinson and family representatives today to offer their condolences and present the findings of the federal investigation into the death of Ms. Robinson,” the statement read.
“The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Ms. Robinson has been a priority for federal prosecutors and the FBI. The FBI has worked diligently to conduct a detailed and thorough investigation of the
evidence available in this case. In coordination with Ms. Robinson’s family, an autopsy was conducted in the United States by the Medical Examiner’s Office in Mecklenburg County. As in every case under consideration for federal prosecution, the government must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that a federal crime was committed.
Based on the results of the autopsy and after a careful deliberation and review of the investigative materials by both U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, federal prosecutors informed Ms. Robinson’s family today that the available evidence does not support a federal prosecution.
The death of Ms. Robinson has been incredibly difficult for her family and the community.
As a matter of policy, federal officials generally do not issue public statements concerning the status of an investigation. However, given the circumstances of Ms. Robinson’s death and the public concern surrounding this investigation, it is important to reassure the public that experienced federal agents and seasoned prosecutors extensively reviewed the available evidence and have concluded that federal charges cannot be pursued. As in any case, the government is prepared to review and examine new information related to the investigation should it become available.”
The family is expected to hold a press conference later this Wednesday afternoon.