Shanquella Robinson’s Family To File Lawsuit Against Those Who Were Present At The Time Of Her Death

The woman alleged to be beating Robinson was identified as Daejhanae Jackson

The family of Shanquella Robinson, the 25-year-old Charlotte, North Carolina, woman who was severely beaten to death while on vacation in Mexico, will file a formal lawsuit against the six people they believe are responsible, Newsweek reports.

“The lawsuit will be against the six travel mates including the three who lied by omission by failing to disclose that someone had been beating Shanquella prior to her death,” said Sue-Ann Robinson, the family’s lawyer.

On Oct. 29, 2002, Robinson’s body was discovered in a villa in San José del Cabo, where she had traveled to meet up with a friend and some acquaintances. She was pronounced dead that afternoon. Those present at the time of her death said that alcohol poisoning was the cause; however, an autopsy revealed that “severe spinal cord injury and atlas luxation” were what proved to be fatal for Robinson.

Sue-Ann Robinson said that members of the victim’s family were “tired, weary, heartbroken and missing Shanquella but motivated by her legacy to keep moving forward on the path to her justice.”

In November 2022, less than a month after her body was found, a video circulated online in which Robinson, who was unclothed, was seen being beaten by a woman while others watched. A voice in the video could be heard saying, “Quella, can you at least fight back?” before the disturbing clip abruptly ended. The woman alleged to be beating Robinson was identified as Daejhanae Jackson, in a letter submitted to the White House by attorney Benjamin Crump, who was representing Robinson’s family at the time.

“As a result of the investigation, a warrant was issued for Daejahnea Jackson by Mexican Law Enforcement, one of the six travel mates who fled to the United States after Shanquella was pronounced dead,” the letter read.

“Ms. Jackson was identified as the perpetrator of femicide against Shanquella Robinson, a homicide based on gender.”

The FBI and the U.S. attorney’s office decided to forego criminal charges in the case in April, citing insufficient evidence of any wrongdoing. 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,” according to a statement from United States Attorney Dena King and the FBI.