Shanquella Robinson’s family has accused the FBI of “not taking responsibility” for its refusal to release investigative documents

SHANQUELLA Robinson’s family has accused the FBI of failing to accept responsibility for its refusal to release key documents in the murdered tourist’s case.

Shanquella’s legal team and family continue to call for diplomatic intervention from the United States after she died while vacationing in Mexico.

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Shanquella, owner of a hair braiding business and online fashion boutique, traveled to Mexico on October 28 but died the next day in a luxury mansion in Cabo San Lucas.

The 25-year-old was on vacation when she suffered a head injury and died of a broken neck, according to an autopsy by Mexican authorities.

During the investigation, Mexican officials identified a suspected perpetrator in Shanquella’s death.

However, in April 2023, it was announced that the FBI’s North Carolina office, where Shanquella was from, declined to press charges against the alleged assailant.

Shanquella’s legal department said the FBI has still not released the family’s important documents related to the woman’s death.

“The FBI has not released any documents to the family at all,” said attorney Sue-Ann Robinson, who represents Shanquella’s family but is not related to them.

“Nothing from the investigation or even their written decision.”

“You advised [the case] The file is still “open” so they cannot provide any documents, but the charges have been dismissed.”

The attorney said the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner released a copy of the autopsy to the media.

“The FBI says they can’t release any documents even to the family. At the same time, the coroner is releasing unredacted autopsy documents to the press.”

“That tells us that the FBI and the coroner [that] They expect to dismiss the charges [are] on two different sides, which is another warning sign.

“We are concerned about such serious omissions.

“Like the lights are on but nobody is taking ownership of the matter and prioritizing it like it should.”

‘DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED’

Shanquella had traveled to Mexico with a group of fellow travelers, as Sue-Ann called them.

During the investigation in Mexico, it was determined that one of Shanquella’s fellow travelers was the attacker in the on-camera incident that killed the tourist, Shanquella’s attorneys wrote in a letter to President Biden.

Shanquella’s family and legal team hoped the US would pursue the case and extradite the suspect to Mexico.

“At that point, someone from the State Department needs to step in and prioritize the case and allow the extradition process to proceed,” Sue-Ann said of the case’s status.

This operation would require State Department approval, which is why Shanquella’s lawyers continue to call for diplomatic intervention in the case.

“Therefore, we say with certainty that the case is not a priority, especially now that the FBI has decided to dismiss the charges,” Sue-Ann said.

The attorney said the decision not to pursue the case in the US sent a strong signal.

“I think the government’s concern at this point should simply be to send a message to U.S. citizens: if you travel to Cabo, Mexico with other U.S. citizens and are harmed on video, as long as the people who who committed the crime return.” Back to the US not to be held accountable for what they did.”

Sue-Ann also said that Shanquella’s family was “deeply disappointed” that the US would not press charges and not pursue the case here.

“They are obviously concerned about the red flags and the lack of transparency in the investigation, but they are undeterred,” the attorney said.

“There is still a path to justice and the family recognizes that.”

When asked for comment Monday, the FBI referred The US Sun to an earlier statement press release about the agency meeting with Shanquella’s family.

It said, in part, “As in any case, the government stands ready to review and consider new information related to the investigation as it becomes available.”

“GRADE OF URGENCY”

Sue-Ann said that Shanquella’s family plans to return to Washington, DC on May 19, 2023, marking the 200th day since Shanquella’s death.

There, the team of lawyers and family members will again call for diplomatic intervention.

“There should be a level of urgency, a level of prioritization by US authorities that just doesn’t exist yet,” Sue-Ann said.

“We all saw what happened on the video and we demand that the US authorities intervene, give the case priority and allow the extradition process to proceed so that the Mexican authorities can bring forward the person they have identified as the attacker.” Mexican courts can prosecute.”

Despite the setback, the family will not stop pushing for answers in the case.

“We’re still encouraging and grateful for all the platforms that are still calling Shanquella’s name and not abandoning the case because we are not abandoning it,” said Sue-Ann.

‘FACT-FINDING MISSION’

Sue-Ann recently traveled to Mexico to update on the case and to advocate for the Robinson family after sending a letter to the White House in March calling for diplomatic intervention.

She said the investigation into Shanquella’s death in Mexico was complete and an extradition package had been handed over to the US government.

She and Shanquella’s family continue to appeal to US officials for action in the case, which has been classified as femicide – a term used by Mexican police to describe the murder of a woman based on her gender.

The lawyer described the trip in the letter to the White House, which is available to the US program “Sun”, as a “reconnaissance mission”.

“It was a surreal experience in the sense that I’ve been a lawyer for almost 17 years. “I’m a former prosecutor and criminal defense attorney,” Sue-Anne said.

“I have never had to personally travel to another country to do research on behalf of a family.

“It was unreal in that regard, because the struggles that this family has had to go through while trying to grieve a loved one, but at the same time seeking justice for the loved one… it’s a very heavy burden.”

“I always say I’m amazed at how hard they’ve put in to work to really push this forward.”