CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The family of Shanquella Robinson, a Charlotte woman who died after being attacked on a 2022 vacation in Mexico, has filed a lawsuit against those vacationing with Robinson and the federal government, according to the law firm representing the family. The lawsuit comes on the second anniversary of the 25-year-old woman's death.
"We need justice for Shanquella Robinson," Sallamondra Robinson, Shanquella's mother, said on Tuesday. "It's been two years and there's no reason that no one has been arrested yet. I need justice for my child."
Attorney Sue-Ann Robinson, who is not a relative of the family, filed the lawsuit in the Superior Court of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina on behalf of Robinson's mother.
"As we stand here today, we must confront the reality that those responsible for her murder have not been held accountable," Sue-Ann Robinson said on Tuesday. "The lack of justice serves as a painful reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by individuals, especially young Black women."
The attorney said the lawsuit accuses six people, who were vacationing with Shanquella Robinson, for her death. For the first time in public record, all six people are being named by the law firm. The lawsuit has nicknamed Daejhanae Jackson, Alysse Hyatt, Malik Dyer, Wenter Donovan, Khalil Cooke, and Nazeer Tyree Wiggin as the "Cabo Six."
The lawsuit also accuses both the U.S. Department of State and the Federal Bureau of Investigation of investigative failures and delaying justice, according to the attorney. The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages to address the "profound emotional and financial toll," according to Sue-Ann Robinson.
"It's not going to bring back Shanquella Robinson but I know the FBI should've done something after two years ago," Sallamondra Robinson said. "I know a lot of stuff that was in the phone of Shanquella Robinson that I gave to the FBI and the FBI looked over it like it was nothing. It's like you just pushed my daughter up under the rug when you should've arrested these people... I'm fed up with this stuff, I need justice for my child."
The lawsuit claims Shanquella Robinson was invited last minute after some other guests canceled.
The family calls for the arrest and extradition of Daejhanae Jackson, one of the six vacationing with Shanquella Robinson.
During the trip, the lawsuit alleges Jackson brutally attacked Shanquella Robinson in a bedroom inside the group's villa. The lawsuit alleges Jackson punched Shanquella Robinson in the face, head, neck and other parts of her body. At the time of the attack, Shanquella Robinson was naked and completely exposed, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit claims Shanquella Robinson was unable to respond or defend herself.
No one called for help, the lawsuit alleges. Instead, the group is accused of recording the attack and posting the video on social media. The lawsuit also states Facetime was used to conduct a video call with Jackson’s boyfriend so he could watch the attack.
As WCNC Charlotte previously reported, Shanquella Robinson's death certificate says she died 15 minutes after suffering a severe spinal cord injury and a broken neck.
"They had a video that went viral, the whole world saw the video and there's still been no arrest since Oct 29, what kind of system is this?" Sallamondra Robinson previously told WCNC Charlotte.
The lawsuit alleges the group requested a doctor hours after the attack but told them Shanquella Robinson was dehydrated from drinking too much. The group refused to take her to the hospital despite the doctor's recommendation, the lawsuit claims. The lawsuit alleges the group interfered with lifesaving efforts and lied to medical staff.
The lawsuit alleges multiple counts of wrongful death, simple battery, negligence, conspiracy and emotional distress.
WCNC Charlotte called each person listed in the lawsuit as a member of the so-called Cabo Six. Only one person called back saying. He said his attorney would be returning our call but WCNC Charlotte has yet to hear from the attorney.
According to the lawsuit, the Cabo Six left the trip a day ahead of schedule. It claims Jackson and Cooke returned Shanquella Robinson’s belongings to her mother, offering their condolences, claiming she died of alcohol poisoning.
On the first anniversary of Shanquella Robinson's death, the FBI field office in Charlotte told WCNC Charlotte, "The available evidence does not support a federal prosecution. As in any case, we are prepared to review and examine new information related to the investigation should it become available.”
The legal team is accusing the FBI of failing to return Shanquella Robinson's property despite closing the case. The lawsuit states a request for records in their investigation was denied with the FBI stating that if released it could "interfere with enforcement proceedings."
“They have not communicated anything, other than we can wait another 5 years for a public information request on what they did,” said Sue-Ann Robinson. “So, we had no choice.”
We reached out to the FBI regarding the lawsuit and a spokesperson sent this statement "The FBI's standard practice is to decline to comment on pending litigation."
At the time, a request for comment from the U.S. Department of Justice was not immediately returned.