On October 29, 2022, 25‑year‑old Shanquella Robinson died while vacationing in San José del Cabo, Mexico. What began as a trip with friends ended in tragedy and controversy. The official ruling in Mexico declared her death a homicide, citing spinal cord injuries and severe trauma. But almost immediately, conflicting accounts, delayed autopsies, withheld evidence, and inconsistent statements set off suspicions: could her death have been planned rather than accidental?

This article examines what the FBI, Mexican authorities, and Shanquella’s family have revealed so far — the facts, the rumors, the gaps — and whether there is credible support for the claim that her death was a planned act.

What We Know: The Facts So Far

Vacation & Death

Shanquella Robinson, from Charlotte, North Carolina, traveled with six friends (often referred to as the “Cabo Six”) to a villa in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The group was together on or about October 28, 2022. The following day, Shanquella was found unconscious and later died.

Initial Explanations and Video Evidence

Initially, Shanquella’s friends told her family that she died due to alcohol poisoning. However, a video that surfaced shortly after her death shows a woman, identified by the family as Shanquella, being violently beaten by another woman, while other individuals appear to watch, and at least one voice in the video taunts her, saying something like, “Quella, can you at least fight back?”

Autopsy Discrepancies

The Mexican autopsy, done soon after death, determined cause of death as “severe spinal cord injury and atlas luxation,” i.e. trauma to the neck’s first two vertebrae, incompatible with simple alcohol poisoning.

A U.S.‑ordered follow‑up autopsy, conducted by the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner after the body was embalmed, found no spinal cord injury, and listed the cause of death as “undetermined.”

FBI and Prosecutor Findings

The FBI opened an investigation. In April 2023, federal prosecutors — after reviewing evidence and autopsy reports — announced that they would not pursue charges, citing lack of sufficient evidence to support a federal prosecution.

Family’s Concerns and Legal Actions

Shanquella’s mother, Salamondra Robinson, and family attorneys have expressed frustration with what they regard as delays, lack of transparency, and inconsistencies. They believe that enough evidence already exists (video, witness statements, medical reports) for charges. In October 2024, the family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the “Cabo Six” and against U.S. agencies (FBI, State Department), alleging negligence, conspiracy, battery, and failure to act.

Why Some Believe Her Death May Have Been Planned

While “planned murder” (premeditation) is a strong legal claim, several indicators have raised this possibility in the eyes of Shanquella’s family and some observers. Below are the arguments and suspected evidence suggesting planning or intent rather than accidental harm.

Prior Relationship Among the Group

Shanquella’s family has pointed out that the six friends had apparently known each other for years. The trust implied in going on vacation together, staying at the same villa, and sharing accommodations could mean they were familiar enough for conflicts or motives to have developed earlier. Her mother has said: I believe this all was planned. The people Shanquella went on a trip with have all been friends for over 10 years.

That does not prove planning of homicide, but in legal terms, pre‑existing relationships sometimes are relevant when assessing motive or foreknowledge.

Inconsistencies in Stories and Delays

The group’s initial narrative: that Shanquella succumbed to alcohol poisoning. But then a video shows violence. Authorities noted bruises; someone reportedly saw her body with injuries consistent with blunt force trauma. Autopsy differences: the Mexican autopsy vs the later U.S. autopsy differ sharply, particularly on spinal injury. The U.S. version was done after embalming, which could interfere with evidence. Her family has said that this delay and procedure compromised the findings.

Evidence of Violent Intent and Behavior

The video shows a woman physically attacking Shanquella while others watch. The question arises: was this a spontaneous fight or was there some prior harmony/disagreement that escalated deliberately?

In newly released FBI records, someone reported bruises, the appearance that someone had been “stomped on,” and that Shanquella hit her head on the toilet. There are statements about wanting to get camera footage from cameras in the villa. All these suggest attempts to document or cover up some version of events.

Behavior Following the Event

After her death, there were reported delays in seeking medical attention, and discussions among the group about insurance and hospital costs rather than immediate hospitalization. Also, discrepancies on whether the group told the concierge or authorities that she was in serious condition or needed medical help.

These delays and possibly contradicting statements can raise suspicion: did the group try to conceal what had happened, even unintentionally?

What FBI Has Revealed — Why They Did Not Charge

Even with all these suspicious elements, the FBI and U.S. prosecutors declined to pursue criminal charges. Their reasons help clarify what isn’t established or provable under current evidence.

Insufficient Evidence for Federal Prosecution

The standard in federal criminal cases is “beyond a reasonable doubt.” The FBI stated that after reviewing available evidence (autopsies, video, witness statements, photos, etc.), they did not believe they could meet that standard

Contradictory Medical Findings

The Mexican autopsy and the U.S. autopsy conflict on key physical findings. For example, Mexico’s report cites spinal injury; U.S. report does not. The U.S. autopsy was conducted after embalming, which may degrade certain evidence. These gaps make medical causation harder to connect unambiguously to assault vs other causes (falling, etc.).

Jurisdictional / Legal Barriers

The incident occurred in Mexico, so Mexican authorities have primary jurisdiction. The U.S. can assist, especially for crimes involving U.S. citizens abroad, but to prosecute in U.S. courts usually requires a connection to U.S. law (e.g., conspiracy that crosses borders, or evidence in U.S., etc.). Extradition processes are involved, requiring cooperation from Mexican authorities and diplomatic engagement.

Autopsy Timing and Evidence Preservation

Because the U.S. autopsy was done after the body had been embalmed, many argue certain evidence was compromised. For example, what might have been subtle spinal damage may have been destroyed or masked. Also, delay in obtaining certain evidence (e.g. video or camera footage) complicates proving timeline or intent.

What Is Not Proven

Based on what has been publicly reported, the following remain unproven:

That there was a premeditated plan to kill Shanquella as opposed to a spontaneous, violent assault that turned fatal.

That any one member of the “Cabo Six” group coordinated ahead of time to cause her death.

 
That U.S. authorities have evidence sufficient to convict in court—medical evidence, credible witness testimony, and forensic data that would survive legal scrutiny.

That the difference in autopsy results can be definitively attributed to manipulation or cover‑ups, rather than technical difficulties, degradation, or procedural issues.

Family Beliefs & Alternative Theories

Shanquella’s family maintains that her death was not accidental, and that there was intent, or at least gross negligence and conspiracy. Key facets of their belief include:

They believe the friends misled medical personnel and her family (initial claim of alcohol poisoning) to hide the real cause.

Belief that evidence (video, photos, camera footage) exists and has been withheld or not fully shared.

That the questionable timeline, delays, and inconsistent statements are suggestive not only of negligence, but possibly of deliberate obstruction.

 
Can the Case Be Reopened or Reframed as Planned?

What would need to happen for prosecutors or authorities to treat Shanquella’s death as a planned homicide?

Discovery of new and credible evidence: For example, camera footage from before the assault; clearer footage; witness statements showing planning or conversation beforehand; medical evidence showing injuries consistent with premeditated choking or neck trauma inflicted purposefully.

Proving motive and intent, beyond just opportunity or anger. This can be difficult, especially in a case abroad.

Overcoming medical discrepancies: demonstrating reliably, in court, that the Mexican autopsy is superior or that the U.S. autopsy was compromised significantly; ensuring chain of evidence is preserved.

Cooperation with Mexican authorities, and United States diplomatic and legal mechanisms (extradition, shared evidence).

Transparency: families have pressed for autopsy reports, FBI files, investigative documents. The more those are made public (while respecting legal process), the more likely public scrutiny will yield new leads.

Implications If It Were Planned

If Shanquella’s death were proven to have been planned:

Legal: The people responsible would face more serious charges (intentional homicide, possibly conspiracy). Extradition and cross-border legal cooperation would be required.

Moral & Social: There would be outrage over betrayal of friendship/trust; scrutiny over how investigations of deaths of Americans abroad are handled; potential calls for reforms in forensic standards, transparency, and law enforcement cooperation.

Institutional: The role of the FBI, U.S. attorneys, State Department could come under criticism or reform proposals—for how such cases are handled when evidence seems conflicting or slow to surface.

Conclusion

At present, public records donot conclusively support the claim that Shanquella Robinson’s death was planned in the legal sense of premeditated murder. What is true: conflicting autopsy reports, video of her being assaulted, delayed or inconsistent reporting, and a family and public demanding accountability.

The FBI, in declining to prosecute, has emphasized that evidence does not currently meet the legal standard required for conviction. But the very existence of those conflicts — between medical findings, witness statements, video, and group narratives — means there remains room for a theory that this was more than a tragic accident.

Only new evidence, greater transparency, and possibly legal pressure could shift the narrative toward proving premeditation.