Friends Said Woman's Death on Mexico Getaway Was Caused by Alcohol — But Authorities Suspect Homicide

Mar. 15, 2025

Shanquella Robinson.

After the parents of Shanquella Robinson discovered their daughter had died while vacationing in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, late last month, the friends she was with allegedly told the shocked family that the 25-year-old had died of alcohol poisoning, the parents have said.

Additionally, the FBI has opened an investigation into the death of the Charlotte, N.C., resident, a spokesperson tells PEOPLE.

According to the state attorney general in Mexico investigating the case, Robinson’s death on Oct. 29 was a femicide — a form of a gender-based hate crime.

Just a day before her death, Robinson had arrived at the resort city with six friends for a fun weekend to celebrate a friend’s birthday,reportsQueenCityNews.

“She told me they had a chef. They were getting ready to eat. They were eating tacos or a salad or something, and I said, ‘OK. I love you. Have a good night, and I will talk to you tomorrow,'” her mother, Sallamondra Robinson, told QCN. “I never talked to my child again.”

The next day, Sallamondra received a call from Robinson’s friends who’d gone to Mexico with her, telling the mother her daughter had died,according to ABC News.

“They said she wasn’t feeling well. She had alcohol poisoning,” SallamondratoldQueenCityNews.

She added, “Each one of the people that was there with her was telling different stories.”

Alcohol is not mentioned in the death certificate, according to WSOC.

Additionally, the document states that the time between her injury and her death was about 15 minutes. A box which asks if her death was “accidental or violent” was answered yes, outlet says.

Robinson was found unconscious in a living room on the afternoon of Oct. 29, the death certificate says.

‘Sickening’ Video

Sallamondra Robinson toldGood Morning Americathat someone had “called us [the family] and said that someone was fighting her over there.”

Someone in the room is heard asking: “Quella, can you at least fight back? At least something?”

The blogger, Gerald Jackson, toldThe Daily Beasthe received the clip from “someone who was in the room that sent it to an individual family member they are friends with.”

Robinson’s father, Bernard,confirmed toTheDailyBeastthat the person in the video was Robinson.

“The video is sickening,” Quilla Long, Robinson’s older sister,told GMA.

Shortly after Robinson’s death, the U.S. State Department toldQueen City Newsthat there was no clear evidence that foul play was involved in Robinson’s death.

A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said in an email to PEOPLE that the death of an American citizen occurred in Mexico, that when a U.S. citizen dies abroad, and the department provides all appropriate consular assistance to the family.

In addition, the State Department referred PEOPLE to Mexican authorities on anything regarding the investigation.

Meanwhile, Robinson’s parents want to see justice for their daughter.

“By the grace of God, I think I am going to get to the bottom of this,” Bernard Robinson told WSOC.

“God ain’t gonna fail. It’s going to come out,” he said. “I’m not giving up. I am very confident that I am going to have peace of mind.”

The family hasstarted a GoFundMeto raise funds for Robinson’s funeral.

source: people.com