MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF: Shanquella Robinson
A luxury vacation to Mexico with college friends ended in tragedy when Shanquella Robinson died of what her friends said was alcohol poisoning. But Shanquella’s family always believed there was more to the story, especially when a video surfaced of her being brutally beaten just hours before she died. That video and a pair of autopsies coming to two different conclusions has shrouded Shanquella’s death in mystery. Years later, there are still so many questions. What exactly killed Shanquella and who, if anyone, is responsible?
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Evening
Shanquella Robinson arrives in San José del Cabo, Mexico, with a group of friends and stays at a rented villa, where the group spends the night drinking, eating, and socializing.
Around 3 a.m
Daejhanae Jackson calls one of the men on the trip, crying and upset after a heated argument with Shanquella Robinson.
Between 7 and 7:30 a.m.
A physical fight between Shanquella and Daejhanae occurs at the villa, and is captured on video.
After 7:30 a.m.
Shanquella goes to her room following the fight.
Just before noon
Shanquella is found barely conscious on a bathroom floor inside the villa.
Around 2 p.m.
A private doctor is called to the villa, and Khalil Cooke contacts Shanquella’s mother, Sallamondra Robinson, telling her that Shanquella is sick from alcohol poisoning.
Around 3:15 p.m.
The doctor arrives at the villa and observes that Shanquella Robinson has a knot on her forehead, a broken blood vessel in her eye, and is unable to speak, advising that she be taken to a hospital.
Just before 6 p.m.
After extensive life-saving efforts by emergency medics, Shanquella is pronounced dead at the villa.
Daytime
The group Shanquella traveled with leaves Mexico early and returns to the United States.
Sallamondra receives an anonymous phone call stating that Shanquella did not die of alcohol poisoning and that there was a fight before her death.
Sallamondra receives an anonymous phone call stating that Shanquella did not die of alcohol poisoning and that there was a fight before her death.
Mexican authorities inform Shanquella’s family that her autopsy does not list alcohol poisoning and that her death was caused by severe spinal cord and neck injuries.
U.S. authorities have North Carolina medical examiner conduct a second autopsy on Shanquella
A video of the fight between Shanquella and Daejhanae inside the villa is leaked publicly.
Mexican authorities issue an arrest warrant for Daejhanae.
The FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office announce they will not pursue federal charges after a second autopsy concludes Shanquella’s cause of death is undetermined.
Sallamondra files a wrongful death lawsuit against the Cabo Six, the FBI, and the U.S. State Department.
A federal judge dismisses claims against the FBI and State Department, while the remaining portions of the lawsuit continue.
Charlotte, North Carolina
Where Shanquella’s family lived, and where the FBI conducted its investigation.
San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Where Shanquella Robinson traveled to with a group of friends, and where the fight and her death occurred.
Winston-Salem State University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Where Shanquella and several members of the Cabo group attended college.
Please contact the authorities if you have any information about this following case:
The Death of Shanquella Robinson
If you have any information about the death of Shanquella Robinson, you can call the Charlotte FBI at 704-672-6100 or email us at [email protected].
Episode Source Material
- Original reporting by Char Adams
- Shanquella Robinson Said She Was ‘Having a Good Time’ in Phone Conversation Hours Before Death, Mom Recounts, by Corin Cesaric, People, April 13, 2023. https://people.com/crime/shanquella-robinson-was-having-good-time-before-death-mom-recounts/
- US citizen accused of killing North Carolina woman while vacationing. Here’s what we know, by Ray Sanchez, CNN, Nov. 28, 2022. https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/27/us/north-carolina-tourist-killed-mexico
- Mom of Shanquella Robinson who died in Mexico says she didn’t believe it was alcohol poisoning, by Erica Y King, ABC News, Nov. 18, 2022
- FBI opens investigation into death of Charlotte woman in Mexico, by Joe Bruno, WSOC-TV, Nov. 18, 2022. https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/fbi-opens-investigation-into-death-charlotte-woman-mexico/QN5NEB5VSNBCPH2U4CWD5VXPBU/
- Shanquella Robinson death: Arrest warrant issued for femicide, prosecutor says, by Erica Y King, Anne Laurent, and Sabina Ghebremedhin, ABC News, Nov. 23, 2022. https://abcnews.go.com/US/shanquella-robinson-death-authorities-share-details-differing-autopsy/story?id=93850367
- ‘Devastating’ | White House addresses Shanquella Robinson’s death, by James Brierton, WCNC, March 16, 2023: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/white-house-shanquella-robinson-death-investigation-mexico/275-a4bb88fd-44d4-4410-8d64-affb44800f9a
- U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of North Carolina (Charlotte, NC): Federal Officials Meet With The Family Of Shanquella Robinson. Published April 12, 2023. Accessed October 21, 2025. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdnc/pr/federal-officials-meet-family-shanquella-robinson
- CBS News. “Family seeks answers after North Carolina woman is found dead in Mexico.” YouTube , uploaded by CBS News, Nov. 18, 2022: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhkdKfX0xXI
- ABC News. “What Happened to Shanquella Robinson | Nightline.” YouTube, uploaded by ABC News, Dec. 8, 2022: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZKHQUXd6mA&rco=1
- TMZ. “Shanquella Robinson’s Family Shocked No Charges in Cabo Death … Lawsuit Not Off the Table.” uploaded by TMZ, April 18, 2023: https://www.tmz.com/2023/04/18/shanquella-robinson-family-outrage-no-charges-lawsuit-option/
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